LOS ANGELES, CAILFORNIA: Dolly Parton has revealed that she declined an invitation to tea with the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, as she "wouldn't promote her rock album."
The 77-year-old country singer explained that she received the coveted invitation from Kate Middleton, 41, while she was in London on business.
While discussing her love of London, the 'Jolene' singer admitted she had the opportunity to hang out with the residents of Buckingham Palace but 'couldn't go'.
Why could Dolly Parton not have tea with Kate Middleton?
Dolly said, "This time, Lordy, I even got invited to have tea with Kate but I couldn't even go," during an appearance 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," as reported by DailyMail.
What did Dolly Parton turn said to Kate Middleton?
Then, in true Dolly Parton fashion, she cracked a joke about why she declined Kate's invitation. "But she wasn't going to promote my rock album, so I had to say no," she explained.
She expressed regret for not seeing more of the city while on tour, but concluded that she never had enough time to play tourist.
The singer expressed her admiration for the capital to presenter and host Claudia Winkleman.
Dolly said,"I love the people, the feel of London. I don't unfortunately [get time to sightsee]. I have in the past, me and my band, in a tour bus when we have it planned."
It comes after the singer stated in a new interview that she would rather 'drop dead' in the middle of a song on stage than hang up the microphone. Dolly has no plans to retire despite a six-decade career in music.
Why Dolly Parton has no plans to retire?
She said, "I would never retire. I would hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song on stage someday – and hopefully one I've written – but that's how I hope to go."
She added, "I don't have much of a choice in that but in the meantime, I'm going to make hay while the sun shines."
Dolly has over 3,000 songs in her catalogue, including hit singles like 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You'.
Is Dolly Parton touring?
While the country music sensation is determined to keep performing, she has admitted that she has somehow reduced her work schedule.
She said," I'm not touring anymore but I will continue to do special shows here and there now and then like a long weekend or festival shows."
She added, "But as far as touring I think those days are pretty much behind me... you have to stay gone so long on a tour to make it productive and prosperous and that's a lot of time at my age – I ain't got no years to waste."
