Queen Camilla recalled Dame Jilly Cooper's desire to get 'absolutely plastered' as she paid tribute to her 'much-missed' friend at the Cliveden Literary Festival on Saturday (11.10.25). The 78-year-old royal opened the eighth edition of the festival, referencing an 'immortal line' from the late author, who died at 88 last week after a fall at her Gloucestershire home.
Speaking at Cliveden House, the Queen said: 'There are few houses and gardens in England that are quite as steeped in literature as this one. I understand that it is possible to order Ian Fleming's Vesper Martini at the bar - a drink that was a favourite of the late, much-missed Dame Jilly Cooper. She came to a party here a few years ago, when, I hope, she uttered her immortal line, "I'm going to get absolutely plastered tonight, darling. I love you so much, I want to see two of you." Dear Jilly... how we'd love to have seen just one of you here with us today.'
Camilla had earlier paid tribute to Cooper, known as the 'queen of the bonkbuster', describing her as a 'wonderfully witty and compassionate' friend. In a statement after Cooper's death, the Queen said: 'Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime but Jilly was one... 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.'
At the festival, Camilla also praised the 'literary stars' in attendance, saying: 'Ladies and gentlemen, it is a huge pleasure to be with you for the eighth Cliveden Festival, in the midst of a veritable galaxy of literary stars.' She thanked founders Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore, adding: 'Here at Cliveden we are connected with history, and with each other, through our mutual love of books.'
