The novelist and MP was ‘an exception to the end’, Camilla wrote

Queen Camilla has expressed her sadness at the death of author Lord Jeffrey Archer, describing him as an “irrepressible life force through all the many differing chapters of his life”.

The Queen paid tribute to Lord Archer from her position as founder of the Queen’s Reading Room charity, which was supported by the author.

In her message, the Queen wrote: “Seldom does an author get to live a life as rich, varied and colourful as any of the characters in their books, or with as many surprising plot twists.

“Jeffrey Archer was an exception to the end.

“It was therefore with sadness that I learned of his death yesterday, on the eve of publication of his final work and so soon after appearing at my Queen’s Reading Room Festival.

“My sympathies go to Mary and the family at this time of sorrow. I hope it may be some consolation for them to know what pleasure Jeffrey brought to me and to so many millions of readers through the pages of his works.

“While he was not without flaw, his friends will recall him as an irrepressible life force through all the many differing chapters of his life.

“Wherever the next page turns to, I trust there will be champagne and Shepherd’s Pie in abundance.”

This is a breaking news story. More follows. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *