Queen Camilla Honors Author and Former MP Jeffrey Archer

Queen Camilla has expressed her sadness at the death of Jeffrey Archer, describing him as an 'irrepressible life force through all the many differing chapters of his life.' In a tribute issued this afternoon, the Queen described the former Tory MP's life as 'as rich, varied and colourful as any of the characters in (his) books,' hailing him as an 'exception to the end.'

While she noted the 86-year-old was 'not without flaw,' she said his works had brought 'pleasure... to me and to so many millions of readers.'

Lord Archer had been entertaining fans at the Leicester Square Theatre in central London on Sunday as he promoted what he had said would be his final book, 'Adam and Eve,' alongside friend Gyles Brandreth. He died suddenly but peacefully at home less than 24 hours later. 'Adam and Eve' – a love story set amidst the tumult of the Second World War – was published today.

Writing in her position as the founder of the Queen's Reading Room charity, of which he had been a supporter, the Queen said: '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.'

In a nod to Lord Archer's infamous Christmas parties, she added: 'Wherever the next page turns to, I trust there will be champagne and shepherd's pie in abundance.' The message was signed: 'Camilla R.'

Mr Brandreth, himself a former Tory MP, shared photographs of himself and Lord Archer on social media last night as news of the novelist's death broke. 'I can't believe that Jeffrey Archer, who was always so alive, is suddenly dead,' he wrote. 'We had a wonderful day together yesterday. As anyone who was there will tell you, he was in brilliant form on stage celebrating the publication of his 50th and final bestselling novel.' He added: 'He was in the most wonderful, ebullient form and received a tremendous reception from a packed house. He was funny, engaging and self-deprecating – a great storyteller to the last.'

Kemi Badenoch revealed that Lord Archer complimented her speech opening the Tory conference in their last text message exchange, less than a day before his death. The Conservative leader told BBC Breakfast: 'At 8am yesterday, he sent me a message saying "a great outfit, great speech, no need to reply", and I read it and I smiled. I was absolutely shocked in the evening when I heard that he'd passed away. It is devastating news. He was 86. He lived a very colourful life but he was someone who was very much loved by the Conservative family, I'm glad that I saw him recently. I had a copy of the book which he's just written, so I will make sure that I read it. But I'm really sad that he's gone. We will miss him very much.'

Asked about his historical perjury conviction, Mrs. Badenoch said she hoped the Tory grandee 'will be remembered for' his charity work and as a 'great storyteller.' She added: 'Obviously, he did have those other parts of his life, which many people do recall. But, you know, he did serve his time. He made amends and he wanted to do a lot of good in the world.'

Lord Archer's novels have sold more than 300 million copies in 115 countries. He leaves his wife Dame Mary, 81, an eminent scientist, and sons William, 54, and James, 52 – and five young grandchildren.

Born in north London in 1940, he attended Wellington School on the edge of Exmoor before spending time in the Army. Following a physical education course in the U.S., he joined the Met Police as a constable and later entered Oxford as a mature student where he met Mary Weeden. The pair wed in 1966.

After a spell as a Conservative councillor in London, Lord Archer served as MP for Louth between 1969 and 1974, then turned to writing with his 1979 novel 'Kane and Abel.' It remains one of the best-selling books in the world, having sold more than 33 million copies.

Reviving his political career the following decade, Lord Archer became the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985 while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. He and his wife remained close friends with Baroness Thatcher, who was a regular attendee at their legendary Krug and shepherd's pie Christmas parties in their Thames penthouse until her health deteriorated in 2010.

Sir John Major made him a life peer in 1992 and he later entered the House of Lords as Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare, retiring in 2024.

In 1999, he announced he was running for the Mayor of London for the Tories, receiving the backing of Baroness Thatcher, Sir John and then leader William Hague, but was forced to back out amid allegations he had committed perjury.

He was later treated for prostate cancer and spoke openly about his journey through treatment, urging men to get tested just days before he died.

The novelist and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July with a garden party for 321 friends at their second home, the Old Vicarage in Grantchester, Cambridge. Alongside their Thames penthouse and Grantchester vicarage, the couple also owned a place in Majorca, where Jeffrey wrote many of his novels.

Estimates this year placed the novelist's fortune at around £200 million, but he declined to comment on this when speaking to the Daily Mail in September, as he gave what would be one of his last interviews. Speaking to the Mail's Frances Hardy, he hailed 'Adam and Eve' as his 'most ambitious' book and 'the best I've ever written.'

Asked if he had any regrets from his storied life, he said: 'Anyone who pretends they don't is living in a dream world. You cannot expect to sail through life with everything going your way. If I had, I might have ended up as Secretary of State for Transport and never written a word.'