Queen Camilla hails Dame Jilly Cooper as “a wonderfully witty friend” after the bestselling author’s sudden death at 88, prompting tributes from political leaders, writers, and fans across the UK.
BY FRANCESCA RAPISARDA
Queen Camilla has paid heartfelt tribute to her friend Dame Jilly Cooper, describing the bestselling author as “a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend,” after Cooper’s death at age 88 following a fall.
Camilla, who was long acquainted with Cooper, said in a statement: “Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime, but Jilly was one … she was, as ever, a star of the show.” She added that she last saw Cooper just weeks ago at her Queen’s Reading Room Festival, and joined her husband, King Charles, in sending sympathy to Cooper’s family.
Cooper’s family released a statement calling her passing “a complete shock” and said she had been “the shining light in all of our lives.”The author, known for the Rutshire Chronicles novels including Ridersand Rivals, sold over 11 million copies in the UK, and her works had recently been adapted for television on Disney+.
Tributes have poured in from across the literary, entertainment, and political worlds. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Cooper “a literary force whose wit, warmth, and wisdom shaped British culture for over half a century.” Her agent, Felicity Blunt, lauded her “wicked humour” and intricate storytelling, while industry figures praised her generous spirit and cultural impact.
Cooper, born Jill Sallitt in 1937, began her career in journalism before turning to fiction and crafting a unique literary voice known for combining romantic drama, social satire, and vivid characterisation.
A public service of thanksgiving is expected to be held in London in the coming months.
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