Princess Diana: Palace did not want Sir Elton John to sing at her funeral, newly released newspapers show | UK news

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The Dean of Westminster was forced to send a personal appeal to Buckingham Palace in 1997, in an attempt to have Sir Elton John perform at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, according to newly released government documents.

Jon’s performance of his new performance as Candle In The Wind, which was recently rewritten, is one of the most memorable parts of the service, as it continues the path to selling 33 million copies worldwide.

But it almost never happened.

Photo: Reverend Dr. Wesley Carr made the argument that Elton John should perform at the concert

As part of a batch of government papers recently released by the National Archives, there appears to be resistance in the royal family to the idea, with concerns that the song’s new lyrics were “too emotional.”

Westminster Abbey had to put a solo saxophonist on standby to perform the song, just in case the Palace refused to let John sing, even though it was considered “second best shot”.

Reverend Dr Wesley Carr managed to argue that allowing Sir Elton John to perform the song would be a “fanciful and generous” gesture to the audience, which was largely seen as having angered members of the royal family in the days after her death, and widespread anger at perceived indifference towards the tragedy.

Photo: Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris in 1997

A wave of grief swept the public after her fatal car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, which came a year after her divorce from Prince Charles.

In a note to a senior member of the royal family, Lt. Col. Malcolm Ross, Dr. Carr – who was involved in negotiations about the service between the palace and Diana’s family and ran the service – said the song captured the public mood.

“This is a critical point of service as we urge boldness. It is where the unexpected happens and something of the modern world that the Princess represents,” he wrote.

“I respectfully suggest that anything classical or choral (even a folk classic like something by Lloyd Webber) is inappropriate.

Photo: Sir Elton at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales

“Better the closed song of Elton John (known to millions and the princess enjoyed with his music), which would be powerful.

“He wrote new lyrics to the tune that is being played and sung widely across the country in memory of Diana. It’s all the time on the radio.”

“Using it here would be imaginative and generous to the millions who feel personally lost: it’s pop culture at its best.

If he thinks the lyrics are too sentimental (although that’s by no means a bad thing given the patriotic mood), they don’t need to be printed—just sung.

I would be willing to discuss the significance of this proposal over the phone with anyone. “

Downing Street was also copied in the letter – but according to the archive, there is no record of a response.

There was also more confusion about Sir Elton’s appearance, with a first draft of the service arrangement having him come down to perform Your Song – but it was listed as Our Song instead.

In the notes, she described his music as “a different style of music, popular and associated with a princess”.

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