Elton was a close friend of Diana’s
for many years
FULL PICTURE
Sir Elton and David saw floral
tributes and messages left for Diana
at the Temple Memorial |
The pop star and his partner
David Furnish also made a poignant
private visit to the island grave of Diana
alongside her brother, Earl Spencer |
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Following his initial upset
at the burial site chosen
| SIR ELTON JOHN PAYS AN EMOTIONAL
FIRST VISIT TO PRINCESS DIANA’S RESTING PLACE
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Sir Elton John was close to tears during an emotional visit to the
gravesite of his long-time friend Diana, Princess of Wales. For his three-hour
pilgrimage to Diana’s final resting place at the Althorp family home,
Elton was accompanied by his partner David Furnish and Diana’s brother
Earl Spencer, who gave them a private tour.
“I’m so glad I came. It is very peaceful and lovely, restful and so
optimistic,” said Sir Elton of his visit, the first since his
friend’s death in 1997. The pop star’s visit and words mark a
reversal of Elton’s anger at the island site chosen for her grave. Two
years ago he stated: “I just feel sad that she’s on that island -
it’s as if she’s all alone again.”
Sir Elton thought Diana should have been buried at Westminster Abbey where
people could have visited her tomb without having to pay. He also refused to
appear at a memorial concert organised by Earl Spencer in 1998.
But that was all forgotten as the party strolled in virtual silence from the
grave to view the exhibition dedicated to Diana and to read messages and
tributes left for her at the Temple Memorial. Elton allowed himself a smile
when he saw the score of the version of Candle In The Wind which he sang
at Diana’s funeral and which raised millions for the Memorial Fund in her
honour.
Sir Elton and Diana had been friends since they met at Prince Andrew’s
21st birthday in 1981, although they did once fall out over an AIDS benefit
co-hosted by Gianni Versace.
Elton was furious he had to read in the press that the Princess had pulled out,
claiming she should have told him herself. “I wrote a stiff letter, she
wrote a stiff letter and we both sulked for three months,” he said.
But any differences were forgotten when Versace was murdered in 1997 and Diana
comforted a distressed Elton at Gianni’s funeral that July. Little did
Elton realise that Diana’s own life would end in tragedy just a few weeks
later. |
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