Elton John performed at Princess Diana’s funeral but apparently did not attend the late monarch’s funeral
The 75-year-old singer-songwriter, long associated with the Royals, did not attend the service at Westminster Abbey as 2,000 dignitaries, politicians and friends paid their last respects to the longest reigning monarch in British history.
According to Smooth Radio, Elton John spoke of the Queen’s genuine grace and care during his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour and dedicated his song, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” to the late monarch.
Another reason people on Twitter are skeptical about Elton’s whereabouts is that reports suggest he was invited to the Westminster Abbey service alongside celebrities such as Sir David Attenborough, Bear Grylls and Sandra Oh.
Although the award-winning singer was performing in America on the day of the September 19 funeral, the British singer began to get noticed on social media during the proceedings.
Fans wondered on Twitter if he would perform during the service as he did at his close friend Princess Diana’s home in 1997, following the late Princess of Wales’ fatal car crash in Paris.
At Diana’s funeral, Elton performed Candle in the Wind, according to L’Officiel, despite the concern felt by the royal family.
Sky News was able to access documents from the UK’s National Archives which gave insight into the selection of music and therefore Elton’s eventual decision to sing on the service.
Reverend Dr Wesley Carr said: “This is a crucial point in service and we ask for boldness. This is where the unexpected happens and something of the modern world that the princess represented.
“The best would be the music of Elton John who is known to millions and his music has been loved by the princess.”
As a result, people across the UK took to Twitter to wonder not only if Elton John was attending the Queen’s funeral, but also if he would deliver a rehearsal like the one 25 years ago.
One wrote: ‘When does Elton John sing a little song?
While another tweeted during the hour-long service: “Has Elton John ever repurposed an old song for the funeral? I suggest ‘Rocket Ma’am’.
When the state funeral ended and the Queen’s coffin was taken to Windsor Castle, viewers continued to question Elton’s participation in the event.
“So no Elton?” someone said, as another posted: ‘Elton John should have done the halftime show at the Queen’s funeral!’
Sir Elton John was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth in 1998 for his services to music and charities and attended both weddings of Princess Diana’s sons – Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011 and Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.
He opened up about his connection to the family in his 2019 memoir, Me: Elton John, highlighting his first encounter with Princess Diana at a party in 1981.
He wrote: “[Diana] was a fabulous company… a real gossip: you could ask her anything and she would tell you. She had an incredible ease, an ability to make you feel totally at ease in her company.
The Tiny Dancer singer thought her two sons had inherited this quality and remained close to the two princes. Her husband David Furnish is said to be producing an upcoming film starring the Duchess of Sussex.
