Queen Camilla wrote a heartfelt tribute to 'witty and compassionate' Dame Jilly Cooper

Queen Camilla has paid tribute to her "wonderfully witty and compassionate" friend Dame Jilly Cooper.

The Riders author passed away on Sunday (05.10.25) at the age of 88 and the 78-year-old author has lead tributes to the literary "legend" on behalf of herself and King Charles after the news was made public by her family.

Camilla said in a statement: "I was so saddened to learn of Dame Jilly’s death last night.

"Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime but Jilly was one, creating a whole new genre of literature and making it her own through a career that spanned over five decades.

"In person she was a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many - and it was a particular pleasure to see her just a few weeks ago at my Queen’s Reading Room Festival where she was, as ever, a star of the show.

"I join my husband The King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family.

"And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs."

Broadcaster Piers Morgan described the news of "fabulously fun" Jilly's passing as "very sad".

He wrote on X: "RIP Jilly Cooper.

“Such a fabulously fun, mischievous, warm-hearted lady.

“If she was in a room, everyone would feel instantly cheerier. Very sad news."

Jilly's beloved novel Rivals was adapted for a Disney+ series in 2024 and showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins said the news had left the production team "broken-hearted".

He said: “Jilly was and always will be one of the world’s greatest storytellers, and it has been the most incredible honour to have been able to work with her to adapt her incredible novels for television.”

A number of stars of the drama have also spoken out with Rufus Jones, who plays scandal-hit politician Paul Stratton revealing they heard the news while filming season two.

He wrote: “We are almost exactly halfway through filming series two of Rivals, and have just heard that Dame Jilly has left us. What an extraordinary woman.”

Recalling how the cast had attended the author's famous summer party last month, he added: “Still giddy at being in the realm of this fantastic person.”

Alex Hassell, who plays the central heartthrob Rupert Campbell-Black felt “incredibly grateful” to have known Jilly.

He shared a photo of them together on Instagram and wrote: “This magical woman changed my life. Quite aside from the great wealth of joy, comfort and excitement her writing has given so many, she was such a generous spirited person to be around.

“She was so kind and supportive to me in portraying her hero Rupert. I’m so pleased I got to see her on set the other day, and pretty much the last thing she said to me was that she was proud of me. Gorgeous and caring to the last. She shall be greatly missed.”

Co-star Emily Atack, who portrays Sarah Stratton, also shared a picture of herself and Jilly.

She captioned her post: “I’ll never forget the first time we met. Your warmth and kindness soared through me with that first hug, and then every hug since.

“To be taken into your world was the hugest honour and a once in a life time privilege. I cannot begin to explain how much we will miss you. Thank you for letting us into Jilly World, there really is no place like it.”

Meanwhile, Jilly's agent has confirmed her funeral will be a private affair but a public thanksgiving service will be held at London's Southwark Cathedral at some point in the next few months, with an announcement to be made in due course.