Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a short battle with cancer, prompting tributes from stars including Elton John, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey. The Jolene singer, who passed away in a Tennessee hospital, had previously spoken about the time she almost met royalty herself.
Declined tea with Kate
Parton revealed she turned down an invitation from Kate Middleton to join her for tea at Buckingham Palace in 2023, as she was busy promoting Rockstar, which would become her final studio album. She later said she would "love" to host Prince William, Kate and their children at her Dollywood theme park for a traditional Thanksgiving spread.
Speaking to Closer in 2024, Parton said: "Oh, I would absolutely love for them to come to Dollywood, that would be fantastic! The kids could go on all the rides, and we would treat them like royalty!"
She added: "I'd give Kate my mashed potatoes - I wouldn't put on any airs for them. I would just let them enjoy what we enjoy, and I'm sure that's the way they would want it. I would love to have those kids at Dollywood."
London visit and royal memories
Parton spoke about her near miss with royalty during a UK visit to promote her final album. On BBC Radio 2 with Claudia Winkleman, she said: "I love the people, the feel of London. I don't unfortunately [get time to sightsee]. I have in the past, me and my band, in a tour bus when we have it planned."
She continued: "This time, Lordy, I even got invited to have tea with Kate but I couldn't even go. I thought it was very sweet and nice of her to invite me and one of these days I'm going to get to do that - that would be great."
Explaining why she could not meet the future queen, Parton joked: "But she wasn't going to promote my rock album so I had to say no."
Performed for the late Queen
Parton had previously spoken highly of the Royal Family. She performed at the late Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, marking 25 years on the throne.
After the Queen's death in 2022, Parton recalled that she did not know she would be performing for the monarch until she was on the flight to the UK. She called it "one of the biggest thrills of my life".
Parton said: "They kept it a surprise from me until I was on the flight over. When they told me on the plane I was appearing in front of the Queen, I just jumped up and down telling everyone."
She added: "It's just one of the biggest thrills of my life. When I was a little girl I grew up in a world of kings and queens and princes and princesses in fairy tales. Now I was going to meet one."
Parton's death followed the passing of her husband Carl Dean, who died last March after almost 59 years of marriage.
