Harry’s song request for Diana’s memorial was rejected for a “grim” tone.

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry reveals he once asked Elton John to perform Candle in the Wind at a memorial service commemorating the anniversary of his mother Princess Diana’s death.

However, Elton, a close friend of Diana, chose to sing Your Song, explaining that revisiting Candle in the Wind would feel too “macabre” for the occasion, the Mirror reported.

Originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, the song was reimagined in 1997 to honor Diana after her tragic passing. Elton performed this new version at Diana’s funeral, with proceeds from the track benefiting his charities.

Since then, she has maintained a supportive role in the lives of Diana’s children, often coming to the defense of both Harry and Meghan, including a public statement in 2019 where she condemned the harsh media scrutiny they faced.

The singer’s support even extended to giving the Sussexes private trips for their family, and he later clarified that he took steps to offset carbon emissions, prompting some public criticism from environmental advocates of the couple

In a moment of reflection, Harry shared that he feels Diana would have been saddened by the rift that has since developed between him and his brother, Prince William.

This anecdote underscores not only the depth of Harry’s bond with his mother, but Elton John’s enduring friendship with the family as he navigates sensitively honoring his legacy.