Prince Harry asked that Elton John play Candle in the Wind on the anniversary of his mother’s d3ath, but the singer rejected. Instead, Sir Elton chose to sing Your Song at the 2007 Princess Diana tribute performance, claiming that Candle in the Wind would be too “macabre,” as revealed in Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare.
The singer, 77, who was a close friend of Diana, sang a revamped rendition of Candle in the Wind during her burial on September 6, 1997.
Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin wrote the song in 1973 as an homage to Marilyn Monroe, who sadly passed away 11 years before. A new version was issued as a tribute single to Diana, with all global revenues going to the late princess’ charities.
Writing in Spare, Harry, 39, described following behind his mother’s coffin with his brother Prince William.
He wrote: “The funeral started with readings and eulogies and ended with Elton John. He stood slowly and stiffly, as if he were one of the ancient monarchs who had been buried under the abbey for ages and had been abruptly resurrected. He moved to the front and sat down at a grand piano.
“Is there anyone who doesn’t know that he sung Candle in the Wind, which he adapted for Mummy?
“I’m not sure if the notes in my brain came from that time or footage I’ve watched since. Perhaps they’re remnants of reoccurring dreams. But I do have one clear memory of the music climaxing, my eyes stinging, and tears nearly dropping. Nearly.”
Sir Elton has maintained a strong friendship with Diana’s boys after her d3ath, even defending Harry and Meghan against “relentless and untrue assassinations on their characters” in 2019.
This defense came after the pair was chastised for utilizing private aircraft, including one donated by Sir Elton to his estate in Nice, despite their outspoken views on environmental matters. Sir Elton said that he had paid for a trip for the couple and their son Archie to “maintain a high level of much-needed protection” and offset carbon emissions.
Prince Harry has stated that he feels his late mother would be disappointed by his difficult relationship with his elder brother, Prince William, according to the Mirror.
In a Good Morning America interview earlier this year, Prince Harry stated that the reported conflict with William would have severely hurt his late mother, since they were inseparable as children.
In recent years, there has been much conjecture about a rift between the two princes, implying that their relationship is on thin ice.
In his book, Harry claims William physically assaulted him at his cottage after an argument about Meghan. Harry alleges that William described Meghan as “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive.”