Following the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Elton John paid tribute to the monarch during his performance yesterday night (September 8) in Toronto.
The Queen, who was 96 years old, passed away yesterday at her Balmoral residence in Scotland, ending her 70-year reign.
The Queen’s death, according to her son King Charles III, was a “time of tremendous grief” for him and his family and would be “deeply felt” all across the world.
John halted during his performance at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada last night to pay his respects to the late monarch after he first did so with a statement on Twitter yesterday.
“Today we had the saddest news about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. She was an inspiring presence to be around. I’ve been around her and she was fantastic. She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency, and genuine care and warmth. I’m 75, she’s been with me all my life, and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore,” he added. “But I’m glad she’s at peace and I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it because she’s worked bloody hard. I send my love to her family and her loved ones. She will be missed, but her spirit lives on and we celebrate her life tonight with music, OK?” John Elton explained.
Then John then sang “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” one of his biggest hits from 1974.
Sir Elton John pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/LryBMo3dbT
— Rob Gillies (@rgilliescanada) September 9, 2022
Following the news of the Queen’s passing, prominent members of the entertainment industry, such as Mick Jagger, Stephen Fry, and Ozzy Osbourne, have been paying respect to her.
At a ceremony held at Windsor Castle last year, the King inducted the singer and charitable supporter as a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
In 1997, Sir Elton performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. The second of two nights at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Elton’s performance in Canada was a stop on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which was touted as his last.
