Elton John won’t play Candle In The Wind in front of Princes William and Harry, despite the song previously raising money for their late mother’s foundation.
The legendary musician originally wrote the song with Bernie Taupin to pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe in 1973, after her death 11 years earlier.
However, in 1997, it was updated to honour Diana, Princess Of Wales, following her tragic death.
Nevertheless, the 72-year-old told Billboard: ‘I would have preferred not to have made the record and for her to still be alive, but it was what it was. It raised 37 million pounds for her foundation because Bernie and I gave up [our] writing credits.
‘We sold 60,000 in India in one day, and I had never sold a record in India before. It was a memento of grief and love for her. I didn’t play that song for a couple of years on the road because it was too close to home.
‘Other than at Princess Diana’s funeral, I’ve never, ever played it in front of Prince William or Prince Harry. Even the Marilyn Monroe version, I wouldn’t play it in front of them.’
Elton has always been close to the royals, previously defending Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess Of Sussex, against negative press.
The couple were slammed earlier this year for not taking a commercial flight when they went to stay with Elton and his husband David Furnish.
The star tweeted afterwards: ‘I am deeply distressed by today’s distorted and malicious account in the press surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private stay at my home in Nice last week.’
Elton went on to mention his close relationship with Harry’s late mother and his ‘sense of obligation to protect’ the royal and his brother Prince William.
The musician continued: ‘After a hectic year continuing their hard work and dedication to charity, David and I wanted the young family to have a private holiday inside the safety and tranquility of our home.’
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