In a revealing excerpt from Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex shares a poignant moment when he asked Sir Elton John to perform a special tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana. However, the music legend declined, opting for a different song that would honor Diana’s memory without being too somber.
Sir Elton John, a close friend of Diana’s, had previously performed a heartfelt rendition of Candle in the Wind at her funeral in 1997. The song, originally written for Marilyn Monroe, was re-released in Diana’s honor, with proceeds supporting her charitable causes.
In his memoir, Harry recalls the emotional funeral service, where Sir Elton’s performance brought him to the brink of tears. Despite their close bond, Sir Elton chose to sing Your Song at a 2007 tribute event, deeming Candle in the Wind too “macabre” for the occasion.
The singer has remained a loyal friend to Diana’s sons, publicly defending Harry and Meghan against media scrutiny in 2019. However, Harry’s memoir also reveals a painful rift between him and Prince William, with Harry sharing a disturbing incident where William physically attacked him after making derogatory comments about Meghan.
