Dolly Parton has been honoured at Buckingham Palace, with the Band of the Coldstream Guards performing one of her best-known songs during the Changing the Guard ceremony.
The musicians played 9 To 5 outside the London palace on Wednesday morning, just days after the country music legend died aged 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Dolly Parton. Photo credit: Bart Sherkow, Shutterstock
Tourists gathered outside the royal residence as the familiar tune was given a military makeover, echoing across the forecourt during the historic ceremony.
The Royal Family shared footage of the tribute on its official social media accounts, remembering Parton for the joy and inspiration she brought to millions around the world.
The post also highlighted one of her most significant achievements away from music, her Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.
“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 post said.
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The King and Queen were not at Buckingham Palace at the time, as they are currently away at Balmoral for their annual summer break. The Union Flag was flying above the palace rather than the Royal Standard, indicating that the monarch was not in residence.
Queen Camilla’s Queen’s Reading Room charity also paid tribute to Parton and her work encouraging children to read.
“Today we remember and celebrate the unwavering advocate for the joy and importance of reading – the icon, Dolly Parton,” the organisation said.
It highlighted Parton’s long-running Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 300 million books to children over more than three decades.
The charity described her contribution as a gift that opened the door to “imagination, possibility and a lifelong love of reading”.
Dolly Parton. Photo credit: Carl Beust, Shutterstock
The tribute came as the new guard, Number 12 Company Irish Guards, marched from nearby Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace alongside the Band of the Coldstream Guards.
Parton had a particularly strong connection with London. The city was the destination for her first trip overseas and remained a place she returned to throughout her career.
Her links with the capital also extended to her charitable work, with the Imagination Library eventually providing books to children in London.
Dolly Parton. Photo credit: DFree Shutterstock
Parton’s death has prompted tributes from around the world, reflecting the reach of a career that stretched across music, film, television and philanthropy.
While 9 To 5 remains one of her most recognisable songs, the decision to play it at Buckingham Palace also offered a fitting reminder of the lasting influence she had far beyond country music.
The unexpected performance brought one of Parton’s most famous songs into one of Britain’s most traditional ceremonies, creating a very Dolly-style moment in the heart of London.
