During a behind-the-scenes tour of the studios in Bristol, Camilla – who lives in Lacock, near Chippenham – met those making the second series of the award-winning drama for Disney+.
Dame Jilly, who lived near Stroud before her death this year, was an executive producer and the visit to the studio in Bristol had been organised before her death in October.
Speaking with Dame Jilly’s son, Felix Cooper, and daughter Emily Tarrant, the Queen expressed her sadness and said: “She was such a big part of my life for such a long time.
“We all miss her so much.”
She also told show writer and producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who was also a good friend of Dame Jilly: “It’s so sad she’s not here.”
Rivals is set in the 1980s, against the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, and follows the high-stakes world of British television as careers, marriages and reputations hang by a thread when professional and personal lives collide.
Scenes have been shot in Wiltshire, with Corsham playing host to cast members such as Aiden Turner as recently as October.
Among the cast who were introduced to the Queen were David Tennant, Victoria Smurfit, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean and Nafessa Williams, who all sat down for a cup of tea and slice of fruit cake in the O’Hara kitchen.
Reminiscing about Dame Jilly, Hassell recalled: “She would tell all the men here that they were sexy every time she came.”
The Queen replied: “It’s very nice. It boosts your confidence.”
Smurfit asked Camilla whether she used to read all of her friend’s novels when they were first published.
“Of course I did. Jilly used to give me a copy and I used to gallop through them,” she replied.
Queen Camilla holds a clapper board during a visit to the set of the series Rivals in Bristol, to celebrate British television production, youth opportunity in the creative industries, and the legacy of her friend, the author Dame Jilly Cooper. Picture date: Monday December 8, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Anthony Upton/PA Wire (Image: Anthony Upton/PA Wire)
Suggested reading:
Smurfit asked: “Would you fact check them for just how delicious the men were?”
“No,” the Queen replied, as she burst into laughter.
She added: “Interesting moments… it’s just good fun and I think nowadays people want things that are good fun.
“People want to be lifted and be able to have a good laugh.
“I remember watching last year when I was ill, I had pneumonia, and I promise you, after watching it, I binge watched it, I felt much better after.
“I’m looking forward to this one coming out.”
Filming on the second series began in May and the show will return with an extended 12-episode second series in 2026.
Queen Camilla speaks with actor David Tennant during a visit to the set of the series Rivals in Bristol, to celebrate British television production, youth opportunity in the creative industries, and the legacy of her friend, the author Dame Jilly Cooper. Picture date: Monday December 8, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Anthony Upton/PA Wire (Image: Anthony Upton/PA Wire)
Tennant stars as TV mogul Lord Tony Baddingham, Hassell plays lothario Rupert Campbell-Black, and Maclean portrays Taggie O’Hara.
Also featuring are Williams as producer Cameron Cook, Smurfit as Maud O’Hara and Poldark star Aidan Turner as her husband Declan.
The second series will see Lord Baddingham stop at nothing to keep his TV company Corinium’s empire unrivalled.
Dame Jilly died in October at the age of 88 after sustaining a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home.
Following her death, the Queen paid tribute, describing her as a “legend” and a “wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many”.
The pair were long-standing friends, and the author based her fictional seducer and showjumping lothario Campbell-Black partly on the Queen’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
During the visit, Camilla also toured the costume department and viewed outfits and designs, which showcase the 1980s style and fashion of the era.
Before departing, the Queen was presented with an “I love Jilly Cooper” bag, which contained a cushion embroidered with “Revenge is a dish best served on television”, a Master Dog mug, a Corinium mug, a Corinium Christmas tree decoration and a World of Rutshire tea towel.
