The Royal Jitters: When Dolly Parton Met Queen Elizabeth II and Feared Fumbling the Curtsy
Following the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, fans and media outlets have been looking back at some of the most extraordinary moments of her legendary career—including her unforgettable 1977 encounter with Queen Elizabeth II.
While Dolly was known for her unshakeable confidence, sparkling humor, and down-to-earth charm, she confessed that meeting Britain’s longest-reigning monarch nearly got the better of her, specifically because of one dreaded royal tradition: the curtsy.
1. A Childhood Dream Come True
The historic meeting took place in May 1977 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years on the throne. Dolly had been invited to perform at the Royal Variety Show at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre alongside other international stars like the Jackson 5.
In subsequent interviews, Dolly recalled how ecstatic she was when her manager surprised her with the news mid-flight to the UK, admitting she jumped up and down with excitement. Growing up in a poor Appalachian cabin, the young Dolly had been utterly fascinated by storybook tales of kings, queens, and castles. Meeting the actual Queen of England felt like stepping straight into a fairytale.
2. Terrified of the Curtsy Protocol
Despite her excitement, the reality of strict British royal etiquette brought a heavy wave of anxiety. In an interview, Dolly candidly shared the main thing keeping her up at night:
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The Fear of Fumbling: “I was scared to death that I was not going to know how to curtsy, that I wasn’t going to bend right,” Dolly admitted. The intricate physical mechanics of bowing and dipping in front of the monarch felt worlds away from her usual stage routines.
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The Queen’s Gracious Warmth: Fortunately, any initial panic melted away the moment they met backstage. Dolly noted that the Queen was remarkably sweet, warm, and comforting. “Even though you have to do the protocol, you have to bow and all that, I could tell that she didn’t care about that. That’s just something she had to do,” Dolly shared with a laugh, noting that the Queen made it clear that if anyone made an honest mistake with the formalities, it was completely okay.
3. A Lasting Mutual Respect
The encounter left a permanent mark on the country music icon. Decades later, when Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022, Dolly paid a heartfelt public tribute, sharing a classic black-and-white photo from their 1977 meeting and writing, “She carried herself with grace and strength her entire life. May she rest in peace.”
Whether turning down afternoon tea with Princess Kate decades later because she had work to do, or sweating over royal curtsies before meeting the Queen, Dolly Parton always stayed entirely, authentically herself—balancing a deep, wide-eyed wonder for the world with her trademark humor and unmatched grace.
