The Untold Story Behind Elton John and Princess Diana’s Complicated Relationship, Straight from Elton Himself

After decades of guarded silence, Sir Elton John has finally opened up in emotional detail about his deep friendship with Princess Diana and the painful truth behind their falling out and eventual reconciliation.

The music icon, who shared one of the most public and heartfelt moments during Diana’s funeral in 1997 with his unforgettable rendition of “Candle in the Wind,” is now revealing what really happened between them behind the scenes—and why the story is far more complicated than the public ever knew.

Speaking in a recent interview, Elton described Diana as “one of the kindest, most compassionate people” he ever met, but admitted that even their seemingly perfect friendship wasn’t immune to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and external pressures.

“She was someone I loved very much,” he said, his voice breaking slightly.

“But we did have our struggles.

And I think it’s time people knew the truth—not the tabloid version, but the real truth.

Elton and Diana met in the 1980s at a charity event, and the bond between the pop legend and the princess was instant.

Both adored fashion, shared a sharp wit, and had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Over the years, they were frequently seen together at high-profile events, and their mutual admiration was evident.

Diana, known for her tireless work with AIDS awareness, and Elton, a trailblazer in raising funds and speaking out for the same cause, found common ground not only in their public missions but also in their personal values.

However, Elton confessed that their friendship hit a rocky point in the mid-1990s.

The tension, he revealed, came to a head following the publication of Rock and Royalty, a coffee-table photography book released in 1997 that featured Elton and raised money for his AIDS Foundation.

The book, while stylish and artistic, included risqué images that some royal advisors reportedly found distasteful, especially given Diana’s traditional royal image.

Diana, who had originally agreed to write the foreword for the book, later withdrew, reportedly under pressure from the palace.

Elton admitted he felt deeply hurt at the time.

“I was devastated,” he said.

“It felt like a betrayal, even though I knew it wasn’t really her fault.

According to Elton, their communication broke down for a short while, and both struggled with how to bridge the gap.

“There was a lot happening in both our lives then,” he explained.

“She was going through her divorce.

I was battling personal demons.

It was a perfect storm.

” But everything changed on July 15, 1997, when Gianni Versace, a dear friend of both Elton and Diana, was murdered in Miami.

The shocking death of the iconic fashion designer shattered them both—and it became the moment that reunited the two estranged friends.

“She called me, and we both just cried on the phone,” Elton said.

“That moment brought us back together.

None of the nonsense mattered anymore.

Life was too fragile.

” They rekindled their bond and spent more time together in the weeks that followed, often talking about life, the future, and the relentless pressures of fame.

Diana confided in Elton about her fears, her hopes for her sons, and her desire to live more freely outside the constraints of the royal family.

Then, just six weeks later, tragedy struck again.

On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris.

The world stood still.For Elton, the loss was devastating.

“I was numb,” he recalled.“There are no words to describe that pain.

One moment we were laughing, making plans, and the next.she was gone.

The decision to perform at Diana’s funeral was not easy, he admitted.“I wasn’t sure I could do it,” he said.“It felt impossible.

” But it was Prince Harry and Prince William who convinced him to go through with it.“They told me it would mean a lot,” Elton revealed.

“So I said yes, and I knew I had to honor her the only way I knew how—through music.

The reworked version of “Candle in the Wind,” originally written for Marilyn Monroe, became one of the most iconic tributes in modern history.

Elton performed it live at Westminster Abbey, in front of billions watching around the globe.

The emotion was raw, the pain undeniable.

The single went on to sell more than 30 million copies, with all proceeds donated to Diana’s charities.

In the years since, Elton has remained close to Diana’s sons, particularly Prince Harry.

He supported Harry and Meghan Markle in their journey away from royal duties, echoing many of Diana’s struggles with royal life and media intrusion.

“I see a lot of Diana in Harry,” he said.“The same fire, the same heart.

Elton says he has finally made peace with what happened between him and Diana.

“I’ve carried a lot of guilt over the years,” he admitted.“For the times we didn’t speak, for not doing more.

But I also know we found each other again before it was too late.

That’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

Now at 77, Elton is reflecting more openly on his past, from his career highs to personal regrets.

His relationship with Diana remains one of the most cherished—and most painful—chapters of his life.

“She was more than a princess,” he said softly.“She was my friend.

And I miss her every single day.