-Credit: (Image: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Prince Harry requested Elton John to perform ‘Candle in the Wind’ for the anniversary of his mother’s death, but the musician declined, according to the prince himself.

Sir Elton opted to perform ‘Your Song’ instead, stating that ‘Candle in the Wind’ would be too “macabre”, as revealed in Harry’s explosive memoir, ‘Spare’. The singer, who was a close friend of The former Princess of Wales, played a re-written version of ‘Candle in the Wind’ at Princess Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997.

Originally penned in 1973 by Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had passed away 11 years prior, the song was released as a single in honour of Diana, with all global proceeds donated to the late princess’s charities.

Sir Elton has maintained a close relationship with Diana’s sons since her passing, even defending Harry and Meghan against “relentless and untrue assassinations on their characters” back in 2019, reports the Mirror.

This defence came after the couple faced criticism for using private jets, including one provided by Sir Elton to his villa in Nice, despite their vocal stance on environmental issues. Sir Elton disclosed that he had covered the cost of a flight for the couple and their son Archie to “maintain a high level of much-needed protection” and offset the carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has confessed that he believes his late mother, Princess Diana, would be saddened by his strained relationship with his elder brother Prince William.

Diana with Elton John at Gianni Versace’s funeral in 1997 -Credit:Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

In a preview shared by Good Morning America, Prince Harry confesses that the alleged feud with his brother, Prince William, would have deeply upset their late mother as they were inseparable during their childhood. Over recent years, speculation has been rampant about a rift between the two princes, suggesting their relationship is on thin ice.

In his book, Harry alleges that William physically assaulted him at his cottage following a disagreement over Meghan, Harry’s wife.

Harry claims that William labelled Meghan as “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”. In retaliation, Harry reportedly told his elder brother that he was merely echoing the media’s narrative.

During an explosive ITV interview with Tom Bradby, Harry maintained that there are ‘two sides to every story’, implying that the Royal family has had the upper hand in the public eye so far.

The Duke of Sussex is shown discussing the “red mist” he observed in his elder brother, Prince William, after their physical confrontation at his cottage. Following the release of his book, Harry’s remarks about Taliban fighters were slammed as ” wrong on every level ” by a former Defence Secretary.

The Telegraph disclosed that Harry stated he didn’t view those he killed as individuals, but rather as “chess pieces” removed from the game.

“So, my number is 25. It’s not a number that fills me with satisfaction, but nor does it embarrass me,” he penned. The former Defence Secretary under Gordon Brown, John Hutton, who later became chair of the defence think tank RUSI, slammed it as a “very serious mistake”.

The Labour veteran said to LBC News: “It’s absolutely not the right thing for anyone to be saying, and I’m sure he now bitterly regrets saying that. It diminishes him, and it’s not up to standard we expect from someone who has held such high-ranking positions.”