Westminster Abbey Dean campaigned for Sir Elton John to sing at Diana’s funeral

Papers released by the National Archives suggest there were concerns ahead of Sir Elton John’s poignant performance of “Candle in the Wind” at the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. With concerns the lyrics would be deemed “too sentimental,” the Dean of Westminister Abbey, at the time, came forward to appeal the case and to have John perform.

The original song was written in 1973 in honour of Marylin Monroe who had died 11 years prior. Following Diana’s untimely death in a Paris car crash in August 1997, Sir Elton, who had been a good friend of the princess, rewrote the lyrics in her memory, changing its famous opening line from “Goodbye Norma Jean” (Monroe’s real name) to “Goodbye England’s rose.”

Upon concerns, the re-written lyrics were “too sentimental,” Westminster Abbey’s Dean, the Very Reverend Arthur Wesley Carr made his case that allowing the performance would be an “imaginative and generous” gesture to the public, especially to those who might have turned their backs against the royal family following Diana’s death. Dr Carr wrote a note about the matter to Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Ross, a senior member of the Royal Household overseeing negotiations of the funeral service between Diana’s family and Buckingham Palace:

“This is a crucial point in the service and we would urge boldness. It is where the unexpected happens and something of the modern world that the princess represented. I respectfully suggest that anything classical or choral (even a popular classic such as something by Lloyd Webber) is inappropriate.

“Better would be the enclosed song by Elton John (known to millions and his music was enjoyed by the princess), which would be powerful. He has written new words to the tune which is being widely played and sung throughout the nation in memorial to Diana. It is all the time on the radio.”

Dr Carr would note the song is a “popular culture at its best” and further argued if the lyrics were considered “too sentimental,” it would not be a “bad thing given the national mood.” Dr Carr would go on to add a suggestion for the lyrics to be sung and not printed. The note ended with Dr Carr saying he was prepared to discuss the significance of his suggestion over the phone with anyone. The letter was copied to the Prime Minister’s residence, but there is no record of any reply.

Westminister Abbey would have a saxophone player on standby in the event John’s performance was canceled. “Candle in the Wind 1997,” alternatively known as “Goodbye England’s Rose,” went on to become one of the biggest hits of Sir Elton’sextensive career. The updated version of the 1973 track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated 10 October 1997, where it would stay for 14 weeks, thus becoming his longest-running No. 1 on the chart.