Emotional: Elton John appeared rather misty-eyed during the Royal Wedding today
In an emotional interview three years ago, he described singing at Princess Diana's funeral as a 'surreal' experience he hoped never to have to repeat.
So it is understandable that returning to Westminster Abbey today would be an emotional experience for Elton John.
After initially arriving at the event in high spirits, the singer appeared a little misty-eyed at one point in the ceremony.
Memories: The singer famously played at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales fourteen years earlierElton was pictured biting his lip and his eyes looked red-rimmed as he gazed at the proceedings.
Earlier the 64-year-old shared a laugh with partner David Furnish and fellow guests as they took their front-row aisle seats inside the Abbey.
'Surreal': In 2008 he gave an emotional interview discussing his performance of Candle In The Wind at Diana's funeral in 1997He received a huge cheer as they arrived at the Abbey, and waved gaily at the crowd.
But Elton's mood turned sombre, perhaps as he reflected on his tribute to his late friend, the Princess Of Wales at her funeral on September 6, 1997.
Elton's re-worked rendition of his hit Candle In The Wind moved the millions of viewers to tears and is widely regarded as the best-selling single of all time.
In a TV documentary aired in 2008, the singer recalled: 'Me playing at the funeral was one of the most surreal things I have ever done.
Excited: Elton looked in high spirits as he and a distracted David Furnish (left) waited for the ceremony to begin 'What was going through my mind was, "Don't f*** this up. Don't sing a wrong note. Don't sing the wrong note. Be stoic.
"Don't break down and just do it to the best you can possibly do it without showing any emotion whatsoever."
'My heart was beating quite a lot, I have to say,' he told VH1 'RocDoc' Me, Myself and I.
Proud: Sir Elton beams with happiness as he watches Prince William and his new bride walk down the aisle to leave the Abbey'This is an unreal experience and I hope I never have to do it again.'
Elton was less forthcoming when asked by BBC Radio 5 outside the Abbey how he enjoyed the wedding.
Speaking after the ceremony, his response was: 'It's not the Oscars.'
Arrival: He received a huge cheer from the crowds as he arrived at the Abbeysource: dailymail