Elton John Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: Reflects on Her Life and Legacy

The world is mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 96.

Among those paying tribute to the late monarch is Elton John, the 75-year-old British singer who was knighted by the Queen in 1998.

During his farewell Yellow Brick Road tour stop in Toronto, Canada, on Thursday, John reflected on the life and legacy of the inspiring Queen.

“We have the saddest news about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth,” John told the crowd.

“She was an inspiring person to be around.

I've been around her and she was fantastic.

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.”

John went on to express his condolences to the Queen's family and loved ones.

“She will be missed, but her spirit lives on and we celebrate her life tonight with music,” he said.

Shortly after news of her passing broke, John released a statement on Instagram expressing his deep sadness and admiration for the Queen.

“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's passing,” he wrote.

“Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”

John's relationship with the royal family goes back to the 1970s when he was invited to dinner at Kensington Palace by Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth's sister.

Living near Windsor Castle, John's relationship with the royals grew from there.

He even attended Prince Andrew's 21st birthday party, where he first met Princess Diana.

Although the pair had a great friendship, they fell out when the royal dropped out of writing the foreword to a rock photography book that gave its proceeds to the AIDS Foundation, according to reports.

They reconciled at Gianni Versace's funeral in July 1997, but the Princess of Wales died in a car accident the next month.

John performed an updated version of his 1973 song, Candle in the Wind, at her funeral.