King Charles and Queen Camilla have paid a very public tribute Dolly Parton and accompanied it with a heartfelt message.
On the morning of August 26, just hours after the death of Dolly Parton was announced, the royals asked the band to play some of her greatest hits at Changing the Guard. It’s a rare honour, only used for major events.
In this instance, Buckingham Palace and the crowds watching were regaled with ‘9 to 5’, one of Dolly’s most famous hits.
The legendary songwriter and singer died, after a short illness, on August 25 at the age of 80.
Tributes have poured in from around the world for a performer whose charitable and philanthropic work was as prolific as her multi hit, multi million making career.
Dolly Parton’s advocacy and often silent support for major causes was also recalled by King Charles and Queen Camilla in the message posted on the Royal Family’s social media. They remembered a woman who ‘who ”brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many – including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library”.
Their message called her the ”late, great, Dolly” and ended with a sweet tribute, saying ”We will always love you”.
Dolly Parton was one of the best loved and known singers and actresses in the world, selling over 100 million records. She was an award winning songwriter, creating over 3,000 tunes, including some of the best known music of the 20th century including the global hit ‘I Will Always Love you’ which went to number 1 in countries around the world when it was recorded by Whitney Houston for the film, The Bodyguard. It had already been a hit sung by Dolly herself for the film ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’.
However, it was Dolly Parton’s philanthropic work that caught attention, too. Through her Imagination Library, millions of children in five countries received a free book every month until they were five. She supported healthcare initiatives and cross community work. her Dollywood Foundation supports initiatives around the world. Throughout her life, she remained inspired by her parents, Lee and Avie, who raised Dolly and her siblings in real poverty.
In her stellar career, Dolly Parton won eleven Grammy awards and three Emmys and was nominated for two Oscars and six Golden Globes as well as a Tony award.
She married Carl Dean in 1966 at the age of 20. He died in 2025.
Following the announcement of her death, it was confirmed she died of cancer after a short illness.
Although she met royalty throughout her career, there’s no doubt that the girl who began life in a one room cabin in Tennessee would have been surprised to hear that The King and Queen paid such a fulsome tribute to her on her death.
