Looking past all her accolades and accomplishments, Dolly Parton is more than a singer/songwriter, she is an icon. Behind songs like “Jolene” and “9 to 5”, she also branched into Hollywood with films like Rhinestone and Steel Magnolias. And although her first album came out in 1967, the singer continues to produce music. It seems that the star is so busy when it comes to her career and philanthropy that she had to turn down Kate Middleton.
When a member of the British royal family extends an invitation to meet, it is almost impossible to turn down. But in Dolly‘s case, she needed to take a rain check when the Princess of Wales offered to have tea with the iconic singer. While the pair didn’t get a chance to meet each other, Dolly insisted it was due to scheduling and not personal when speaking with Saga Exceptional. But make sure people know I didn’t turn the invitation down. I was honored and flattered that she even asked me.”
Videos by American Songwriter
With both Middleton and Dolly sharing a love for helping those in need, especially underprivileged children, the singer hoped to get another invitation in the future. Apparently, she would love to speak with the princess about her work with childhood development care in the U.K. It is hard to compete with Dolly when it comes to giving back. Thanks to her Imagination Library, over 200 million books have been given to children all around the world since its inception.
Not The First Member Of Royalty Dolly Parton Met
At the time of the invitation, Dolly admitted that her team focused on promoting her new album Rockstar and packed her schedule full of appearances. With no free time, the star felt bad for turning down Middleton but added, “I think she’s adorable and I hope someday to be able to sit down and have a good conversation with her.” Dolly even joked, “She wasn’t going to promote my rock album, so I had to say no.”
[RELATED: Look: Dolly Parton Shares Her Passion for Christmas Fashion With Festive Throwback Photos]
Given Dolly’s time in the spotlight, the singer once shared words with Queen Elizabeth back in 1977 during her Silver Jubilee. She recalled the nerves she felt before meeting her, noting her fear of stumbling or messing up. Sharing that Queen Elizabeth was “very warm” and “very sweet”, the singer honored her when she passed away.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings)
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Gram PARSONS; In front of A&M Records Photo Studio in suit specially made for him by "Nudie, the rodeo tailor" (Photo by Jim McCrary/Redferns) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Singer Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage) -
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Singer/Songwriter Ricky Skaggs, Singer/Songwriter Emmylou Harris and Singer/Songwriter Brian Ahern along with Ricky's band Kentucky Thunder perform at CMA Theater on November 18, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Skaggs was recently announced as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's 2013 Artist-in-Residence. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) -
CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER — 2023 — Pictured: Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC via Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 15: Rodney Atkins performs onstage during ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends at Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) -
Photo by Larry McCormack/Disney via Getty Images -
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Musician Tom Petty (L) and guitarist Mike Campbell perform at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
