Buckingham Palace honored Dolly Parton with a musical tribute the morning after her death.
The country music legend died Tuesday at age 80 following a secret battle with cancer, just one day before the royal gesture. On Wednesday, the military band performed her hit song “9 to 5” during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the palace. King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, shared footage of the performance on social media for fans worldwide to witness.
The royal couple accompanied the video with a written tribute to the late singer. “Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many — including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library,” the caption read.
“We will always ❤️ you,” the royals concluded, referencing another of Parton’s iconic releases.
The Imagination Library, which Parton founded in 1995, has distributed more than 200 million free books to children across the globe. The program began in her home county in Tennessee and expanded internationally, earning her widespread recognition for philanthropy alongside her music career.
Social media users praised the “wonderfully done” and “perfect” tribute in the comments, with many writing it “brought [them] to tears.” The emotional response underscored Parton’s cross-cultural appeal, spanning generations and national boundaries.
Parton first released “9 to 5” in 1980 as the theme song for the film of the same name, in which she also starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The track became one of her signature hits and an anthem for working women, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony, a longstanding tradition at Buckingham Palace, typically features military music and draws tourists from around the world. The inclusion of a country-pop classic marked a notable departure from standard repertoire and signaled the depth of respect for Parton’s cultural impact.
The tribute arrived swiftly after news broke of Parton’s passing, suggesting advance coordination by palace officials upon learning of her death. The royal family has historically used musical selections during ceremonial events to mark significant national and international moments.
Parton’s influence extended far beyond her Tennessee roots, with her songwriting catalog including “I Will Always Love You,” which became a global phenomenon through Whitney Houston’s cover version. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and received numerous Grammy Awards throughout her decades-long career.
In the viral moment that preceded the palace tribute, Parton’s death was announced Tuesday following what her representatives described as a private health struggle. The “Jolene” singer had continued performing and recording in recent years, releasing her 49th solo studio album in 2023 and maintaining an active presence in the entertainment industry despite her diagnosis.
The royal family’s public acknowledgment placed Parton among a select group of American entertainers recognized at the highest levels of British ceremonial life. Her music’s inclusion in a tradition-bound military ceremony illustrated how thoroughly her work had permeated global popular culture.
Parton is survived by her husband Carl Dean, whom she married in 1966.