Queen Camilla honours late friend during rare trip to set for series she ‘binge-watched’

Queen Camilla honoured Dame Jilly Cooper’s memory, iconic British writer and her dear friend who passed away in October, while visiting the set of Rivals — the Emmy winning show based on a novel of the same name by the author.

While the show is currently filming its second season, the Queen shared with the cast and crew that its first one got her through a bout of pneumonia in 2024.

“I remember watching it last year when I was ill, I had pneumonia. I promise you, I binge-watched it and felt much better afterwards. I’m looking forward to this one coming out,” she said.

“The Queen has visited the set of the @DisneyPlusUK TV drama, ‘Rivals’, which is currently filming its second series on location in Bristol,” the royal family’s official Instagram shared.

“In celebration of British television production, youth opportunity in the creative industries, and the legacy of author Dame Jilly Cooper, Her Majesty met cast and crew on set and had a sneak preview of the upcoming series,” the caption continued. “First published in 1988, ‘Rivals’ is based on the best-selling novel by acclaimed author Dame Jilly, who sadly passed away in October.”

While discussing the late author of the show’s source novel and her friend, the Queen Consort told everyone, “It’s so sad that she’s not here. She should be. I am so excited to be here. She would have loved it.”

Queen Camilla was further joined by her daughter, Laura Lopes, for a rare outing between the mother and daughter.