The Queen joined cast members from the television series Rivals and a wide range of public figures at a memorial service for Dame Jilly Cooper, held at Southwark Cathedral in London. Dame Jilly, who died unexpectedly in October aged 88 following injuries from a fall, was remembered as a writer of wit, warmth and energy. The service brought together figures from literature, television, sport and broadcasting to mark her life and work.
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During the service, the Dean of Southwark described Dame Jilly as “a person with a champagne soul”, praising her insight into human relationships and her capacity for compassion and joy. Readings were given from Rivals and The Common Years, highlighting both her popular fiction and her reflective writing. A photograph of the author was displayed outside the cathedral, which the Queen viewed on arrival.
Members of the cast of Rivals, the Disney+ adaptation of Dame Jilly’s novel, were among those attending, alongside long-standing friends and collaborators. Several guests spoke afterwards of the balance between sadness and celebration that characterised the occasion, noting Dame Jilly’s influence on British popular culture and her ability to connect with readers across generations.
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Dame Jilly Cooper was best known for The Rutshire Chronicles, a series that examined scandal, ambition and relationships in upper-class society, and many of her works were adapted for television. Honoured for her services to literature and charity, she remained a prolific writer until recent years. She is survived by her two children, Felix and Emily.
