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?
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