Here’s the Real Reason Why Elton John Isn’t at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert

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For starters, the Grammy Award-winning vocalist has several performances lined up. The singer’s official website states that he’s currently embarking on the European leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which will stop in Hamburg, Germany, on May 5, the night before the ceremony. What’s more, he has a performance in Berlin on May 8, one day after the Coronation Concert.

The National also confirmed this reason in late February, with a source telling the outlet that he was also on the short list for the impending king. “Elton John was top of Charles’ list,” a palace source told the outlet. “But due to his European tour, which sees him performing in Germany the Friday before, then again soon after the Windsor concert, he isn’t able to make the dash to the U.K. work.”

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But work may not be the only reason Elton isn’t performing. The “Rocket Man” musician had a complicated friendship with Princess Diana, having met at Prince Andrew‘s 21st birthday party. The story goes that the two danced at the event and the rest was history. As their bond grew, he later met her son Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.

“I first met an extremely shy and sweet Prince Harry at a private lunch at Kensington Palace, given by his mother Princess Diana for Gianni Versace and me many years ago,” he wrote about meeting the young prince in 2018. “What a joy it has been to see that young boy grow to inherit his mother’s warmth, sense of humor and courage to stand up and champion the causes he truly believes in.”

Although the two fell out in early 1997, they eventually made up amid the death of their good friend Gianni Versace later that July. Shortly after, Diana died in a car crash on August 31, 1997, and Elton performed a re-written version of his song “Candle in the Wind” at her funeral a week later.

Elton’s special relationship with Diana aside, he is also a longtime friend of the royal family. He has performed for a number of high-level events for them, most recently singing “Your Song” at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert in June 2022. Apart from being a musician, he has also attended their life events. He was a guest at Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. And later attended Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle, making a musical appearance during the reception.

Outside of royal weddings, Elton did charity work alongside the family. In 2018, he worked with Prince Harry to launch the MenStar Coalition project to fight AIDS, a cause he’s been passionate about for many years. He later received a rare award from Charles in November 2021, being appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour.

Left to right: Elton John, David Furnish and Charles in March 2001.

Despite Elton not being in attendance at the Coronation Concert, Buckingham Palace announced who will perform during the celebratory weekend. Singers Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will step away from judging American Idol to hit the royal stage. Plus, folks will also see other artists like Andrea Bocelli, Sir Bryn Terfel, Take That, Freya Ridings, and Alexis Ffrench. In case you’re wondering, both Katy and Lionel have ties to the monarch. Katy was appointed as an ambassador for the British Asian Trust, while Lionel is a global ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.

They’re not the only ones making an appearance. Variety reports that Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger are slated for a segment, with Winnie the Pooh scheduled as well.

“I’m delighted that even more world class names have joined the line-up for the Coronation Concert, broadcast live across the BBC,” Kate Phillips, BBC’s director of unscripted, said, per the outlet. “Against the stunning backdrop of Windsor Castle, it’s going to be a jam packed evening of memorable moments, that Their Majesties and everyone in the U.K. can enjoy!”

Editorial Assistant

As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.