In Pictures: Sir Elton John’s glittering career and life as he turns 75

Sir Elton John is celebrating a milestone birthday as he turns 75.

Here is a look back at key events from his glittering career and life.

Sir Elton has enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades and has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages.

Sir Elton has a long history with the royal family, who were said to be fans of the singer-songwriter back in the 70s.

Since then he is said to have been a guest at many events attended and thrown by royalty.

He once said that he jived with the Queen to rock ‘n’ roll hit Rock Around The Clock at a party at Windsor Castle.

The singer was among the star-studded line-up who performed during the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985.

The Rocketman singer was close friends with Diana, Princess of Wales and regularly supported her sons William and Harry over the years.

In 1981, when Prince Andrew turned 21, the singer was apparently hired to perform at the celebration and it was there that he met Diana and the pair bonded over a Charleston on the dancefloor.

They became close friends, sharing a passion for raising awareness of Aids.

In 1997, Sir Elton performed at Diana’s funeral after the lyrics to his hit Candle In The Wind were adapted to reflect her life.

The song tapped into the nation’s grief and went on to become the biggest-selling single in UK chart history.

The singer was knighted for services to music and charity in 1998, and has sold more than 300 million records worldwide during a pop career spanning more than five decades.

Sir Elton and his long-term partner David Furnish entered into a civil partnership in 2005.

Nine years later in December 2014, the couple married shortly after same-sex marriage was legalised in the UK.

The singer continued his close relationship with the royal family as he performed at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012.

A biopic based on the life and music of Sir Elton was released in 2019, with Taron Egerton taking on the role of the pop star.

The film delves into his struggles with his sexuality, drugs and alcohol.

Sir Elton admitted that the movie made him emotional but added he “wouldn’t have changed a thing about it”.

Sir Elton has won many accolades during his career including two Oscars for best original score – the first in 1994 for classic track Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King soundtrack.