Elton John Surprised by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Exit

The High Court judge presiding over the Duke of Sussex's privacy lawsuit against the publishers of the Daily Mail expressed surprise at a key witness withholding contradictory statements from both parties.

During the court session on Wednesday, Mr Justice Nicklin questioned Associated Newspapers Ltd about private investigator Gavin Burrows' conflicting testimonies.

On the last day of the preliminary hearing, Adrian Beltrami KC, representing the defendants, disclosed the newspaper's unawareness of a 2021 admission by Mr Burrows to the Duke's legal team, despite later denying the allegations.

In a court document, Mr Burrows vehemently denied any involvement in unlawfully gathering information for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

However, an earlier statement from 2021 revealed detailed admissions of his commission by the Mail on Sunday to surveil celebrities through phone hacking and car bugging.

Mr Beltrami clarified that Mr Burrows' second statement was a response to the claimants' allegations, not his original 2021 declaration.

Mr Justice Nicklin remarked on the peculiarity of Mr Burrows failing to disclose his previous statement to the defendants.

In a shocking turn of events, private investigator Gavin Burrows, central to Prince Harry's case against the Mail on Sunday, claims he never signed such a statement.

He alleges it was a replication of his evidence against the News of the World, fraudulently signed by another individual.

Questions arise: Was Prince Harry aware of this?

Did Elton John knowingly rely on false and fabricated evidence?

Reports suggest that Elton John was taken aback by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's sudden announcement of their departure from the royal family.

A source revealed to the Mirror that despite being a close confidant of Harry, Elton was surprised by the couple's decision to step back from their royal duties, especially considering his support during their tumultuous announcement in January 2020.

While Elton had prior knowledge of the couple's intention to distance themselves from the royal family, he was reportedly caught off guard by the specifics and timing of their plans, learning about them only through their Instagram post.

The source emphasized Elton's daily communication with Harry and Meghan, portraying him as a nurturing figure who offers unwavering support and guidance.

The couple's official statement read, “After much contemplation and internal deliberation, we have opted to embark on a new path this year, transitioning into a more progressive role within the institution.

We plan to relinquish our senior royal positions and strive towards financial independence while continuing to uphold our allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen.

Your encouragement, particularly in recent years, has emboldened us to make this transition.”

Elton John, a significant presence in the Sussexes' lives, performed at their wedding in 2018 and shared a deep connection with Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, performing “Candle in the Wind” at her funeral.

Despite Elton's continuous support and close bond with the couple, the news of their royal exit managed to catch him by surprise, highlighting the complexities within the royal family dynamics.