Elton John, the legendary singer, opened up about his sons Zachary and Elijah during the revealing of a portrait capturing his family at London’s National Portrait Gallery. The portrait, taken by renowned photographer Catherine Opie, marks the first time the singer has publicly shared such personal reflections on his family life.

The portrait and its significance

The serene portrait features Elton John, his husband David Furnish, their sons Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 13, and their two Labradors, Joseph and Jacob, at their home in Old Windsor. The image will be displayed in the gallery’s Mary Weston Gallery starting Tuesday as part of an exhibition titled Catherine Opie: To Be Seen.

The portrait was taken during a three-day visit by Opie to the couple’s home in the weeks leading up to Christmas. According to Opie, the session included a family lunch before the photograph was taken in the family library.

‘It is truly an honour to photograph Elton, David, Zachary and Elijah,’ Opie said. ‘For me, it represents the humanity of what family can be.’

A rare public reflection

Elton John, who has traditionally kept his family life private, expressed his pride during the event. ‘It’s a very proud moment for me,’ he said. ‘Because I am so proud of my children. I’m so proud of David. And I’m so proud of Cathy, she’s a wonderful photographer.’

The singer also reflected on how he first became a fan of Opie’s work. ‘I remember when I went to her house and I bought a picture, a photograph of her son Ollie, with a little mouse coming out of his sleeve and I’ve collected her ever since,’ he said. ‘She’s an astonishing photographer.’

Elton John and David Furnish, 63, entered a civil partnership in 2005 and had their first son, Zachary, in 2010 before having Elijah in 2013, both via surrogacy. They married in 2014, making history as one of the first high-profile same-sex couples to legally wed in the UK.

A celebration of family and legacy

The couple praised Opie’s work, calling it ‘beautiful and poignant.’ They added, ‘To have our family photographed by Catherine Opie and on display at the National Portrait Gallery is a huge honour.’

Victoria Siddall, director of the National Portrait Gallery, said the addition of the portrait to the collection was ‘an important moment’ and highlighted the significance of the family’s story. ‘It celebrates not only Sir Elton John’s extraordinary achievements in music but also the vital humanitarian and philanthropic work that he and David have undertaken in recent decades, and the family they have built together.’

Elton John has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked through his foundation to combat HIV/AIDS. The portrait, therefore, serves as a dual tribute to his personal and public life.

Elton John recently spoke about his health and his desire to be present for his children’s future. In a Disney+ documentary titled Elton John: Never Too Late, he said, ‘I want to see our children get married, but I don’t think I’m going to be around for that.’

David Furnish admitted the comment was emotional. ‘That really upset me, because in my mind I sort of think Elton is going to live forever – we all think that – and Elton is so vibrant that it’s an easy thing to believe, but it forces you to confront that.’

The portrait revealing comes as Elton John prepares for the final leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which will be captured in the upcoming Disney+ film. The tour, which began in 2018, is set to conclude in 2024 with a final concert in London.

Elton John’s reflections on family, legacy, and health offer a rare glimpse into the personal side of a global icon, highlighting the deep emotional stakes behind his public life.