Elton John pays tribute to the Queen at final Toronto show

British icon Elton John paid tribute to the Queen in Toronto on Thursday during the second night of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Four” tour.

Performing at Rogers Centre, John said he’s sending his love to the Royal Family, noting she will be missed but that her spirit lives on.

John had issued a statement earlier in the day.

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

“[She] led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”

Sir Elton John pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/cOKwC2crZe

— Rob Gillies (@rgilliescanada) September 9, 2022

Earlier in the day Buckingham Palace announced Queen Elizabeth II had died at 96. She was the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state.

“We celebrate her life tonight with music,” John said. He then performed his 1974 track “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”

Elton John has close ties to the Royal Family. He released “Candle in the Wind 1997” that year as a tribute single to Diana, Princess of Wales, with global proceeds from the song going towards Diana’s many charities.

John performed “Candle in the Wind 1997” only once in public and then again at Diana’s funeral.

In 1988, he was knighted by the Queen for his contributions to music and charitable organizations.

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John’s concert was the second of two nights at Toronto’s Rogers Centre and part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, billed as his final tour.

He appeared on stage wearing a sparkling black suit and a pink pair of bejewelled glasses. Wasting little time, he slipped behind his grand piano to begin.

“This is my last ever concert in Toronto so I’ve got to make it special,” he said early in the show. “We’ll have the very best time.”

He performed a run of his classics, including “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man” and “Levon.” After each, he rose from his bench to receive thundering applause from the crowd with open arms and a toothy smile.

He’ll play two further Canadian dates on Oct. 21 and 22 in Vancouver before eventually heading to Europe for shows into mid-2023.