Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer at a Tennessee hospital. The 9 to 5 hitmaker had earlier spoken about turning down an invitation from Princess Catherine to meet for tea at Buckingham Palace.
Declined Royal Invitation
Dolly was forced to decline Catherine's invitation due to her hectic schedule while promoting her final studio album, Rockstar, in 2023. She later expressed that she would "love" to welcome Prince William, Catherine and their children to her Dollywood theme park for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman on BBC Radio 2 during her UK visit, Dolly 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 added: "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."
Dollywood Invitation
Speaking to Closer in 2024, Dolly 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 continued: "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."
Royal Performances Remembered
Dolly had long spoken with great admiration of the Royal Family. She performed at the late Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations marking 25 years on the throne, back in 1977.
Following the Queen's passing in 2022, Dolly recalled how she had no idea she would be performing for the monarch until she was already on the flight to the UK, describing it as "one of the biggest thrills of my life".
Dolly 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. 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."
Celebrated stars from across the music and entertainment world, including Elton John, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, have rushed to pay their respects. Dolly's death followed the passing of her beloved husband Carl Dean, who died last March after almost 59 years of marriage.
