Dolly Parton Had To Turn Down Tea With Princess Kate On Trip To London

Queen of Country Music Dolly Parton recently revealed she had to decline an invitation to afternoon tea with Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Parton was in London during a recent work trip, and in an interview with BBC Radio 2 revealed she had to turn down the royal invitation from Kate Middleton.

“This time, Lordy, I even got invited to have tea with Kate but I couldn’t even go,” Parton said. “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.”

She joked that Princess Kate “wasn’t going to promote my rock album so I had to say no.”

Parton, 77, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She had attempted to withdraw from consideration, on the grounds that she hadn’t earned a rock-and-roll title. She said the honor inspired her to release a rock album, however, and announced one in May of this year.

“Rockstar,” Parton’s 49th studio album, is set to be released in November. The track list, which has already been released, features nine original songs and 21 classic covers, including duets.

Parton’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus will be featured on the country diva’s version of “Wrecking Ball,” Sting is joining her for “Every Breath You Take,” and fulfilling the most famous concert request in the U.S., Parton’s rendition of “Free Bird” will feature Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle, and the Artimus Pyle Band.

“I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time, and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure,” Parton said in a statement. “I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.”