Not even the Princess of Wales could get an audience with the Queen of Country.
Dolly Parton, 77, told BBC Radio 2 that she received the invite from Kate Middleton, 41, while she was in London for work, but revealed that she was unable to make it.
“This time, Lordy, I even got invited to have tea with Kate but I couldn’t even go,” she shared. “I believed it was very sweet and nice of her to ask me and certainly one of lately I’m going to get to try this — that will be great.”
The “9 to five” singer went on to share the hilarious reason she turned the royal down.
“But she wasn’t going to advertise my rock album, so I needed to say no,” she quipped.
Parton also admitted that she wished she had more time to explore town, but she ultimately doesn’t have time to accomplish that.
“I like the people, the texture of London. I don’t unfortunately [get time to sightsee]. I even have previously, me and my band, in a tour bus when we’ve it planned,” she explained.
The Queen of Country is ready to release her first-ever rock album titled “Rockstar” on Nov. 17. The album has 30 tracks, including nine original songs by Parton and 21 covers of iconic rock songs with features from artists corresponding to Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sting, Elton John, Stevie Nicks and more.
“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album, ‘Rockstar,’” Parton said in a statement. “I’m very honored and privileged to have worked with among the best iconic singers and musicians of all time, and to give you the option to sing all the long-lasting songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.”
The “Jolene” singer got down to record the rock album after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
She initially declined the nomination resulting from her background in country music quite than rock — however the RRHOF refused to take her off the ballot, with the muse saying in a press release, “We’re in awe of Dolly’s good talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
After learning that the RRHOF welcomes artists from quite a lot of categories, Parton backtracked her stance and said she would accept the respect, adding that it had “inspired me to place out a hopefully great rock and roll album in the longer term, which I even have all the time desired to do.”
