In a surprising revelation, the iconic American singer, Dolly Parton, shared that she had to decline an invitation to have tea with Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, during her recent visit to the U.K. The reason? A jam-packed schedule.
Currently in the U.K. to promote her forthcoming album "Rockstar," Parton's time in the country is filled to the brim with promotional activities. During a conversation with BBC Radio 2 host Claudia Winkleman, when asked about her plans to explore London, Parton candidly shared about the royal invitation and her inability to accept it due to her commitments. "This time, Lordy, I even got invited to have tea with Kate. And I felt so bad... I couldn't even go! They had all this stuff set up," the 77-year-old singer remarked.
While the missed opportunity might come as a disappointment to many, Parton light-heartedly joked about the real reason she couldn't meet the future queen. "She wasn't going to promote my rock album so I had to say no," she quipped. However, on a more sincere note, she expressed her appreciation for the kind gesture from the Princess of Wales and her general fondness for London, stating, "I love the people, the feel of London."
The "Rockstar" album, set to release on November 17, boasts contributions from a slew of U.K.'s music legends, including Simon Le Bon, Paul McCartney, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, and Sting.
Interestingly, this isn't Parton's first brush with British royalty. Over four decades ago, the Tennessee-born artist performed at Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. Following the Queen's passing in September of the previous year, Parton paid a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram, reminiscing about their meeting in 1977 and praising the late monarch for her grace and strength.
As Parton continues her promotional tour in the U.K., fans eagerly await the release of "Rockstar." Meanwhile, the story of her declined tea invitation adds another intriguing chapter to the singer's storied career, reminding us of the intersections of music, royalty, and the choices even icons must make in the face of demanding schedules.
