Newly Released Records Show Emotional Request to Buckingham Palace for Princess Diana’s Funeral

When Diana, Princess of Wales, died, many people around the world grieved. The televised funeral was seen by around 2.5 billion people, and the performance by Elton John has taken its place in history.

But Elton John’s performance was very nearly excluded from the funeral — a fact that has recently come to light after a series of old documents have been released and opened to the public.

Initially, the 👑Royal family didn’t want John to perform at the funeral, but the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Wesley Carr, made a personal plea for his inclusion.

📺 Embedded media — coming soon

Not only was John a well-known musician, but he was also a good friend of Diana’s, and the opportunity to include him in the official lineup was important to Carr.

Addressing a senior member of the family, Carr made his case.

“This is a crucial point in the service and we would urge boldness,” Carr wrote in one of the documents released by the National Archives, according to Reuters.

“It is where the unexpected happens and something of the modern world that the princess represented.”