Elton John Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth During Concert in Toronto

Storyful
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Elton John paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II during his concert in Toronto on September 8, following the monarch’s death earlier that day.

“She was an inspiring presence to be around, I’ve been around her and she was fantastic,” Elton said. "And she led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a 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.

“I’m glad she’s at peace, and I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it. She’s worked bloody hard,” he said. “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!”

Shawn MacLean, who recorded this video, told Storyful the crowd reaction was, “unbelievable, very moving.”

Elton was knighted by the queen in 1998 for his contribution to music. Credit: Shawn MacLean via Storyful

Video Transcript

ELTON JOHN: It's going to be so great to see him.

[CHEERING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[CROWD CHATTER]

ELTON JOHN: But, of course, you know, 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. And she led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency, and a genuine caring warmth.

I'm, you know, 75. 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's worked bloody hard. I sent my love to her family and her loved ones. And she will be missed. But her spirit lives on. And we celebrate her life tonight with music, OK?

[CHEERING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]