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By Simone Carter
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Sir Elton John honored Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday night during a concert in Toronto, telling his fans that the late monarch had "worked bloody hard."
"She will be missed," the musician continued, sitting behind his famed piano, "but her spirit lives on, and we celebrate her life tonight with you, OK?"
After that, John played a rendition of his 1974 hit "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."
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The queen died earlier that day in her Balmoral Castle summer residence in Scotland. She was 96.
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The royal had knighted John in 1998, making him the first openly gay musician to be honored with a distinction of that caliber. Last year, the legendary singer-songwriter was named a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, an exclusive group for those who've made great achievements in music, arts, literature and other fields.
John was also friends with Princess Diana before her death in 1997.
Earlier on Thursday, John took to social media to honor the queen, whom he described as an "inspiring presence to be around."
"Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly," he wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.
John's tribute to the queen comes as the musician is set to step away from the stage. Thursday's concert was his final Toronto show on what he's advertised as his last tour, called the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Other British musicians have also paid tribute to the queen, including Rolling Stones front man Sir Mick Jagger, who was knighted in 2003.
"For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there," he wrote on Twitter Thursday. "In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family."
Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles fame was knighted by the queen in 1997 and later became a Companion of Honour. He also mourned the monarch's passing on social media Thursday, posting an old black-and-white photo of the queen wearing a crown.
"God bless Queen Elizabeth II," McCartney tweeted. "May she rest in peace. Long live The King." King Charles III, the late queen's 73-year-old son, has ascended to the throne.
Newsweek reached out to John's representatives, who declined to provide further comment.
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