Sir Elton John shares a long-standing friendship with Prince Harry, who was the youngest son of his close friend Princess Diana. Their bond was so profound that Sir Elton even performed a special rendition of his iconic track "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral, raising funds in her memory. When Harry and Meghan faced intense criticism four years ago, Sir Elton came to their aid, expressing his distress over the distorted and malicious accounts in the press. However, tensions arose when it was revealed that the singer planned to serialize his memoir in the Daily Mail, the same newspaper Harry was engaged in a legal battle with. Harry felt that this move disrupted his peace of mind, leading to a sense of disappointment with Sir Elton.
In his memoir, Harry also reminisced about the poignant moment when Sir Elton performed at his mother's funeral in 1997. The emotional encounter left a lasting impression on Harry, describing how the singer's presence transformed from a slow and somber demeanor to a vibrant performance. However, the absence of Harry and Meghan from the prestigious Oscars event suggests that their relationship with Sir Elton may have cooled over time.
There is speculation surrounding the reasons behind their exclusion from Elton John's party. In an interview with GB News, Tom Bower claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who relocated to the US in 2020, were not even invited to the event. Elton John's annual soirée in Hollywood is a significant fundraiser for his AIDS Foundation, with millions of dollars going towards the fight against HIV. Princess Diana, Elton John, and Prince Harry have all been passionate advocates for this cause.
PR expert Carla Spake believes that Prince Harry and Meghan's absence from the Academy Awards could be attributed to their desire to distance themselves from negative press and avoid causing any disruptions among the stars. The exact nature of the fallout between Sir Elton John and the Sussexes remains undisclosed, leaving many to speculate on the state of their once-close relationship.
