Queen Elizabeth II is “A Huge Part of My Life From Childhood to This Day,” Elton John writes in a heartfelt tribute.

Elton John, who has maintained a strong relationship with the Royal Family for many years, offered a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II shortly after the news of her passing on Thursday.

 

“I am shocked to learn of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s demise, as is the rest of the country. She was an inspirational person to be around and guided the nation through some of its most difficult times with dignity, respect, and a sincere sense of warmth.

 

From my early years till now, Queen Elizabeth has played a significant role in my life, and I will miss her greatly, he said.

 

John was indeed 4 years old when Elizabeth became queen in 1952.

 

The Queen knighted John, a close friend of Lady Diana Spencer, on April 24, 1998, barely months after her passing and while his song in her honour, “Candle in the Wind (Goodbye England’s Rose),” was still a worldwide hit. At Marilyn Monroe’s burial, he sang “Candle in the Wind,” a song they co-wrote in 1973 as a tribute to the actress. With the earnings going to her charities, it was released as a single in September 1997 and quickly rose to become the best-selling song in both British and American history. It peaked at the top of the charts in numerous nations across the world and remained at No. 1 for 14 weeks in the United States before winning a Grammy the following year.