Sir Elton John paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at his concert in Toronto on Thursday night. During his second night of shows, the singer-songwriter praised the monarch and said she will be "missed".
The 75-year-old told his audience the Queen had led Britain through “some of our greatest and darkest moments”. He added how she was an “inspiring presence”, as he reflected on the 96-year-old’s death.
“She was an inspiring presence to be around… she was fantastic,” he told the crowds, adding: “She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and a genuine caring warmth.
“I’m 75 and she’s been with me all my life and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore, but I’m glad she’s at peace, and I’m glad she’s at rest and she deserves it.
“She worked b***** hard. I send my love to her family and her loved ones. She’ll be missed… but we’ll celebrate her life tonight with music, OK?”
Sir Elton, who was knighted by the Queen in 1998, then went into a rendition of his 1974 track Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me. An image of the monarch smiling, wearing a bright purple coat and hat, were displayed on the screens while he paid tribute.
Following the announcement of the Queen’s death, the Rocket Man singer shared a statement on social media in which he said he would "miss her dearly".
“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,” Sir Elton wrote: “Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”
The King invested the musician and charity patron as a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour at a ceremony at Windsor Castle last year. The singer also sang at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
You can pay your tribute to the Queen here.
