Queen Camilla and Daughter Laura Lopes Make a Rare Joint Appearance on a TV Show
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Queen Camilla made headlines recently as she stepped out for a special outing accompanied by her daughter, Laura Lopes. The royal duo visited the set of the acclaimed Emmy and BAFTA-winning television series ‘Rivals’. The show, set in the late 1980s, is currently in the midst of filming its second season at TBY2 Studios in Bristol. The Queen, aged 78, and Laura, 47, were welcomed onto the set of ‘Rivals’, where they met with the cast and crew.
During their visit, Queen Camilla had the opportunity to meet with lead actors such as David Tennant, who portrays Tony Baddingham, and Alex Hassell, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black. The Queen and her daughter also enjoyed a sit-down tea session with Tennant, Hassell, and other cast members including Bella Maclean, Nafessa Williams, Victoria Smurfitt, and Oliver Chris. Conversations revolved around the upcoming season of the show, slated to premiere in 2026.
The Queen’s visit to the set of ‘Rivals’ held special significance as she revealed her personal connection to the series. She shared that she watched the first season of the show while recovering from pneumonia and found comfort in it. Moreover, Queen Camilla expressed her sadness over the passing of Dame Jilly Cooper, the late author of the book that inspired the series. Cooper was known to be a dear friend of Queen Camilla, and her absence was deeply felt during the visit.
On the ‘Rivals’ set, Queen Camilla had the chance to interact with the furry stars of Master Dog, a show-within-a-show featured in the series. Her love for dogs, shared with her late friend Jilly Cooper, was evident as she spent time with the canine actors. Additionally, the Queen was presented with a special gift in honour of Cooper, a bag bearing the message, “I ❤️ Jilly Cooper”.
Laura Lopes, the daughter of Queen Camilla, kept a low profile during the outing. She is known for her work as an art curator and typically avoids public engagements with the royal family. Laura, who is married to Harry Lopes and has three children, including Eliza, Gus, and Louis, shares a close bond with her mother and occasionally joins her for select events.
Felicity Blunt, executive producer of ‘Rivals’ and sister of actress Emily Blunt, welcomed Queen Camilla behind the scenes and showcased the International Emmy Award that the show received for Best Drama Series. The royal visit added a touch of regal charm to the set, as Queen Camilla engaged with the cast and crew, celebrating the success of the acclaimed series.
This rare public appearance by Queen Camilla and her daughter, Laura Lopes, offered a glimpse into the royal family’s connection to the world of entertainment. The warmth and camaraderie shared between the Queen and the cast of ‘Rivals’ highlighted the power of storytelling to bring people together across different spheres of society. Queen Camilla’s support for the arts and her personal ties to the show underscored the importance of cultural expression in the royal family’s public engagements.