Dolly Parton hopes to meet Kate Middleton ‘teabag in hand’ during UK trip after missing 2023 royal invite

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Dolly Parton hasn’t given up on her dream of having tea with the Princess of Wales.

The beloved country music legend revealed in a recent interview that she’s hoping to finally sit down with Kate Middleton during her upcoming trip to England this fall, despite cheekily turning down the royal’s previous invite.

Dolly Parton eyes royal tea with Kate Middleton after hilarious snub over album promo

When asked by Huffington Post whether she’d consider teaming up with Meghan Markle, who many see as American royalty in her own right, Dolly Parton responded, “Well, never say never, you never know where you’re gonna go."

“In fact, I’m going to go to England in October, and I’m going to actually, hopefully, get to have tea with the Queen.”

In 2023, Dolly was invited to tea with Kate but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts.

“I even got invited to have tea with Kate,” Dolly shared. “And I felt so bad… I couldn’t even go! They had all this stuff set up. 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.”

Of course, Dolly couldn’t resist adding a signature zinger, “She wasn’t going to promote my rock album, so I had to say no.”

But according to Dolly, the invitation might not be off the table just yet.

While speaking to the Huffington Post, the “Jolene” singer hinted that her October visit to England could mark a fresh opportunity for a royal meet-up.

She even mentioned hopes of having tea with Queen Camilla, who has been involved in literary charities that align with Dolly’s Imagination Library.

“I’m going to go over there and kind of really rub elbows with the royalty,” she said, adding that she’s more than willing to let go of the rock album promo misunderstanding. “I don’t know if that offer still stands, but if she wants me and I’m there, I’ll be right there with tea bag in hand.”

Dolly also reminded everyone that her earlier invitation to bring Prince William, Kate, and their three children to Dollywood still stands.

“It would be a royal treat,” she said of her famed Pigeon Forge theme park. “They’re all invited. We would love to have them at Dollywood.”

Dolly Parton recalls surprise performance for Queen Elizabeth during 1977 Royal Jubilee

Dolly Parton has fond memories of meeting Queen Elizabeth II and it all began with a surprise revelation on a transatlantic flight. In 1977, while touring internationally, the country music icon unknowingly became part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, performing at the prestigious Royal Variety Show held at the King’s Theatre in London.

Unbeknownst to Dolly, the performance wasn’t just another stop on her world tour. Her team had kept one major detail under wraps. She would be singing for the late Queen herself.

“They kept it a surprise from me until I was on the flight over,” Dolly recalled.

“When they told me 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.”

Dolly later honored Queen Elizabeth II following her death in 2022, reflecting on the Queen’s legacy with admiration and respect.