Prince Harry and Sir Elton John launch Aids initiative in 2018

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Sir Elton John has always maintained a close relationship with the royal family, being particularly close with the late Princess Diana. The acclaimed singer recalled his incredible life, and some intimate moments with the royals, in his 2019 autobiography, Me. 

One anecdotal moment Sir Elton penned in the 2019 book took the public by storm as it showed a side to the late Queen that many never got to see. 

The Tiny Dancer singer recalled being at a dinner party with the royals, including Queen Elizabeth and her nephew, Princess Margaret’s son, Viscount Linley.

Sir Elton claims he spotted the Queen asking the young Linley to go check on his sister, Lady Sarah, who was not feeling well. 

Lady Sarah had retreated to her room during the dinner party, but the musician claimed Linley was reluctant to look in on her. 

The singer wrote in his book: “When he [Linley] repeatedly tried to fob her off, the Queen lightly slapped him across the face, saying ‘Don’t’ — slap — ‘argue’ — slap — ‘with’ — slap — ‘me’ — slap — ‘I’ — slap — ‘am’ — slap — ‘THE QUEEN!’”

A startled Linley scurried off to check on his sister and the Queen only then realised Sir Elton had been watching the whole encounter. 

Sir Elton claimed Her Majesty had winked at him, and simply walked off. 

The singer noted in the memoir: “I know the Queen’s public image isn’t exactly one of wild frivolity, but…in private she could be hilarious.”

The Candle in the Wind singer has had a long relationship with the royal family, from his famous friendship with Princess Diana, to performing at her son, Prince Harry’s, wedding. 

The 75-year-old was reportedly on the guest list for multiple Buckingham Palace events in the seventies according to Independent, where he first encountered most of the royal family. 

However, it wasn’t until the early eighties that Sir Elton would find his famous friendship in Princess Diana at Prince Andrew’s birthday party. 

In his autobiography, Sir Elton recalled playing at the Prince’s 21st birthday and described the event as “the world’s quietest disco” due to the Queen’s presence. 

The singer penned: “No one wanted to cause any offence to the royal sensibilities, the disco was turned down about as low as you could get without switching it off altogether.”

Despite having to strain to hear the music, the Queen and her daughter, Princess Anne, joined Sir Elton on the dance floor. 

As Elvis Presley’s Rock Around the Clock played, Sir Elton found himself “trying to dance as inaudibly as possible” with the Queen. 

Also on the dance floor that night was Princess Diana, and the pair “instantly clicked” according to Sir Elton. 

In the book, the Cold Heart singer noted how Diana’s “incredible social ease” had been passed onto her children, Princes Harry and William. 

The Princess and the singer would remain friends for over 15 years, until her tragic death in 1997.

Sir Elton famously sang his 1973 hit Candle in the Wind at Diana’s funeral in tribute to the late Princess, although the song had originally been penned in honour of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. 

On September 8, the singer performed in Toronto after hearing the news of Queen Elizabeth’s death. 

Many expected the singer to cancel the show, which is part of the final tour of his career according to Music Times, but he instead opted to give an on-stage tribute to the late monarch. 

Sitting at the piano, he said: “She was an inspiring presence to be around, she was fantastic. She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine, caring warmth.”

At 75-years-old, the pop star highlighted: “She’s been with me all my life and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore but I’m glad she’s at peace, I’m glad she’s at rest and she deserves it. She’s worked bl***y hard.”

He concluded: “She will be missed but her spirit lives on and we celebrate her life tonight with music!”

Sir Elton’s memoir, Me, is available to purchase here. 

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