David Tennant, Aidan Turner, and even the Queen were among those who gathered at Southwark Cathedral on a dreary January day, a testament to the unique legacy of the late Dame Jilly Cooper. Not many could draw such a distinguished crowd, but then, Dame Jilly was truly one of a kind.
Friends, family, and admirers came together to honor the beloved author, who passed away at 88 following a fall at her Gloucestershire residence in October of the previous year.
The service celebrated her life and contributions, featuring heartfelt tributes from a host of notable figures. Among them were Sir Derek Jacobi, Rupert Everett, cast members from the television adaptation of her novel “Rivals,” and her literary agent Felicity Blunt, who is also the sister of actress Emily Blunt.
Speakers fondly recalled Dame Jilly’s spirited personality, her enchanting Cotswold home reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, and the poignant gesture of five horses gathering to honor her at her private funeral in Bisley, Gloucestershire.
In her eulogy, Felicity Blunt likened Dame Jilly to the Taylor Swift of the literary scene for those who grew up in the early 1990s. She shared her admiration, recounting to the audience how “Riders” had captivated her from the first read, as her husband, actor Stanley Tucci, listened with pride.
Blunt also commended Dame Jilly for her Austenesque novels, which sold a remarkable 12 million copies. Through the Rutshire Chronicles, Dame Jilly introduced readers to the worlds of sex, equestrian pursuits, and the British upper classes, popularizing terms like “heavenly,” “orgasmic,” and “ravishing.”
Aidan Turner and Caitlin Fitzgerald attend the memorial for Dame Jilly Cooper – the much–loved author who died at the age of 88 after a fall in her home in Gloucestershire in October last year
David Tennant and his wife Georgia at the memorial service. The service of thanksgiving for Dame Jilly’s life and work heard from a multitude of friends
Under the huge arches of the cathedral, Dame Joanna Lumley read an extract from one of Dame Jilly’s books, The Common Years, about her time in Putney. Everett read a traditional Celtic song and actors Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean, from the recent Disney+ version of Rivals, read an extract from the book.
Dame Jilly’s children, Felix and Emily, and grandchildren including Scarlett Cooper, who read a prayer of intercession, joined with stars of stage, screen and the literary world, including fellow writers Elizabeth Day, Jojo Moyes and Helen Fielding, to remember her. The moving service culminated with the hymn Jerusalem before the congregation gathered to enjoy a glass (or three) of Moet served, in true Dame Jilly style, in huge jeroboams.
Dame Joanna, who was dressed smartly in a black hat and suit, said she had known Dame Jilly since the 1970s when she shared a flat with some girlfriends. She described her as ‘heavenly’.
‘She never, ever had a bad word to say about anyone and was such fun,’ Joanna said.
It was a sentiment echoed by many including the Rivals cast. Danny Dyer described her as ‘warm, funny and a bit of a flirt’, while Aidan Turner said she would sit at the back and observe them quietly during filming.
Presenter Clare Balding, who said she’d known Dame Jilly since going to her school with her daughter Emily, described her as ‘incredibly kind and generous’.
Queen Camilla with the daughter of Dame Jilly Cooper, Emily Tarrant (second right) and her sons Lysander (far left), Jago (second left) and Acer (right)
Presenter Clare Balding, who said she’d known Dame Jilly since going to her school with her daughter Emily, described her as ‘incredibly kind and generous’
‘I remember her books being banned from our school because they were so naughty,’ she said. Balding described her as ‘a life force with a great love of the countryside, animals and champagne’.
Bridget Jones creator Fielding described Jilly as ‘an inspiration, personally and professionally’.
Comedian Helen Lederer talked about being invited to Dame Jilly’s house for a party, which was, apparently just like a scene from Rivals. ‘Jilly was an individual who commanded love, curiousity and warmth,’ she said.
Four–legged fans also joined the congregation, including two of the dogs from Rivals, a labrador and a terrier cross. Just before leaving, the terrier was spotted trying to mount the leg of a member of the congregation. Some may say such an act would have raised a wry smile from Dame Jilly herself.
