Buckingham Palace nearly put the kibosh on one of Elton John‘s most legendary performances to honor his friend Princess Diana … only allegedly giving him the go-ahead in hopes the display would help turn public opinion in favor of the Royal Family.
According to newly released documents, obtained by SkyNews, the Palace believed lyrics to Elton’s “Candle In The Wind” were “too sentimental” to be played at Diana’s service in 1997.
The report states it was only after a letter from the Dean of Westminster, who believed giving Elton the chance to sing would be “imaginative and generous” to the public (who was pissed at the Royal Family) that the song got the green-light.
Of course, at the time of her death, Diana had been divorced from Prince Charles for a year … and many felt the Palace — including the Queen — hadn’t done enough to mourn her.
Diana had bashed Charles for cheating, saying there were, “Three of us in this marriage,” referring to Charles’ mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, who he went on to marry. Many thought the Royal Family’s lack of empathy when she died was tied to her public bashing of the Prince.
However, Elton’s performance at her funeral went on to be one of the biggest moments of his life, and a signature moment in honoring Diana. Not to mention, “Candle In The Wind” spent 14 weeks at the top of Billboard.