Dolly Parton passed away last week, and people across the political spectrum mourned her and celebrated her extraordinary life. Dolly was not only one of the greatest music stars ever, she was also a world-class philanthropist and humanitarian. Tennessee’s governor recently announced that Nashville International Airport would be renamed in Dolly’s honor. One British commentator heard about that and thought “how can I make all of this about one of the least popular members of the royal family?” I’m not joking. I’m including an excerpt from Michael Ellis’s Telegraph column, “Let’s name an airport after Queen Camilla; Just like Dolly Parton in America, her positive impact on Britain deserves recognition.” This was published on the 29th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. They want people to fly into Homewrecker Queen Airport.

What do the return of the Sussexes, Dolly Parton, the late Norwegian King, and even the Government’s plan for the early release of prisoners all have in common with Queen Camilla? Anyone exploring these extraordinary links cannot fail to recognise the importance of the Queen’s role in British public life, and indeed the British Constitution.

When it comes to the Sussexes we all know the history. Prince Harry, when doing his media rounds in the United States for the release of his book Spare, referred to Camilla as “dangerous” and “a villain”. Last week’s return of the Duke and Duchess puts further pressure on the Royal family. Security decisions, court hearings, family occasions. All in the full glare of a media frenzy.

But how the King copes with that pressure, including the absence of his grandchildren during their earliest years, whilst also battling cancer, is, to a significant degree, down to the comfort and support Camilla gives him. She spoke movingly last week about how she had been told of the King’s cancer diagnosis and had to say nothing about it when on a long-planned visit to a hospital in London.

…But the Queen’s role is not just about supporting her husband with love and affection. It is her own agenda that makes a difference too. Last week more than 100 charities and organisations wrote a letter to the Government complaining that the early release of prisoners would include those convicted of violence against women and girls. Needless to say the Queen was not amongst the signatories, that would have been improper. But Camilla has long fought valiantly on this subject. In the House of Commons as a minister at the despatch box I recall the cross-party support for her work on this important subject.

Talking of cross-party support, what about the late great Dolly Parton whose death last week sparked tributes from Left and Right, Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton alike? What on earth is the connection between Camilla and Dolly Parton? Well, Dolly was not just a great singer, she was a towering philanthropist. Growing up in abject poverty, Dolly had an illiterate father. So she set up a charity to help literacy.

Today her “Imagination Library” sends children around the world, including the UK, a free book every month from birth until they turn five. More than 300 million books have been sent to such children in the last 30 years. And the Queen has a very similar passion in cultivating a love of reading. Her own charity, The Queen’s Reading Room, donates a book to every Year 6 child in the country and the Queen is also patron of several literacy charities, including BookTrust, the National Literacy Trust and Coram Beanstalk.

So, in the varied cycle of news over one week in August, it is possible to draw wide-ranging links with Camilla and so much of what is happening in the world. Isn’t that the best indication anyone could ask for of the positive impact the Queen has on the life of the nation?

Bill Lee, the governor of Tennessee, Parton’s home state, has announced that Nashville International Airport is going to be renamed after the singer as a lasting tribute. In due course I am confident similar recognition will follow for Queen Camilla.

[From The Telegraph]

In the context of our celebration of Dolly Parton’s life and legacy, this would be the equivalent of someone making an argument for honoring that hussy Jolene. Absolutely no one believes that Camilla is any way comparable to Dolly Parton. Camilla’s accomplishments include “wrecking two marriages” and “staggering around drunk.” But the book giveaway! Yes, Camilla tried to copy Dolly Parton with her own book giveaway. Camilla is giving away one book for one month, and actual educators and librarians are quite miffed about how it’s been handled. It’s absolutely insane that anyone would suggest that Camilla is somehow deserving of any honor, especially an airport rename.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Buckingham Palace, Cover Images.