There was an unexpected plot twist for Jilly Cooper after being made a dame in the New Year’s Honours list: the author received her honour from the King himself (left), presiding over his first investiture since revealing his cancer diagnosis in February.
Calling it “just terribly exciting and nice”, Dame Jilly – now 87 and as colourful a character as any of those in her bestsellers – added: “I never dreamt in a million years it would happen, and it just has, so it’s lovely.”