Dolly Parton turned down invite to join beloved royal Princess Kate for tea three years before shock death

Dolly Parton was one of the few people who could get away with turning down a future queen, knocking back an invitation for tea with Princess Kate just three years ago.

Parton — who passed away in Nashville on Tuesday at the age of 80 — was visiting the UK in 2023 when she received an invite to join the Princess of Wales for tea.

The Jolene singer’s busy schedule promoting her album Rockstar meant she couldn’t make time to stop by the royal’s house.

In an interview that has resurfaced following her death, Parton had a cheekier explanation for declining the invite.

“I even got invited to have tea with Kate and I felt so bad, I couldn’t even go,” Dolly said on BBC Radio 2.

“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.

“She wasn’t going to promote my rock album, so I had to say no!”

Following her death, Parton’s family revealed the star had been battling cancer.

The type of cancer has not been disclosed but, in a tribute shared on Facebook, Parton’s younger sister, Stella, revealed she had been trialling experimental drugs before her death.

“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella, 77, said.

“What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.

“My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honour her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end.”

Parton had reportedly also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune health issues before her death.