Camilla, Queen of Rutshire, visited the set of the television series "Rivals" in Bristol as part of an initiative to support the UK’s film and television industry. The visit took place during the filming of the show’s second series and offered the Queen an opportunity to engage with cast members and learn more about the production.

"Rivals," which airs on Disney+, is a drama based on the novels of Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away in October at the age of 88. The series is set in the fictional county of Rutshire and explores the scandalous world of 1980s regional television, earning Cooper a reputation as a leading author of so-called “bonkbusters.” Camilla and Dame Jilly Cooper were long-time friends, and the Queen paid tribute to the late author during her visit.

The cast members present included Alex Hassell, 45, who portrays the character Rupert Campbell-Black, widely regarded as a lothario in the story. Notably, Cooper’s late friend and Camilla’s former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, is said to have inspired the character. Other actors attending the event were David Tennant, 54, who plays the villain, along with Victoria Smurfit, 51, Bella Maclean, 28, and Nafessa Williams, 36.

During a tour of the studio set, which featured the kitchen of the fictional O’Hara family, Camilla met the cast over tea and cake. She remarked to Hassell that she had watched the series, expressing that it looked “really fun.” Hassell commented on the camaraderie among the cast and noted that filming intimate scenes could be challenging due to the humorous atmosphere on set.

Camilla also spoke with Victoria Smurfit about the loss of Dame Jilly Cooper. Smurfit remarked that Cooper had intended to be present for the visit, while also emphasizing the ongoing influence of Cooper’s work on the cast. When asked about her favorite book in the series, Camilla said she had read all of them and had binged the series last year while recovering from pneumonia, which lifted her spirits.

As a parting gift, the Queen received a goodie bag emblazoned with “I Love Jilly Cooper,” underscoring her connection to the author and the ongoing cultural significance of the television adaptation.