Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, have shared a rare family snap of their two grown-up sons, Zachary and Elijah, at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Donatella Versace
Music legend Sir Elton John and his spouse David Furnish have at last revealed their two sons’ faces on social media – following years of shielding them from public view.
It marks one of the first occasions the celebrity duo, who marked two decades of their civil partnership last December, have disclosed what their now mature-looking boys actually look like since welcoming them through surrogacy – with Zachary now aged 14 and Elijah, 12.
Breaking with their usual practice by finally giving fans a precious peek at their two developing lads, they posted an Instagram update showing behind-the-scenes footage of their New Year’s Eve celebrations with long-time pal, Italian fashion mogul Donatella Versace.
The 78-year-old Elton and 63-year-old Canadian David had previously largely shielded their offspring from the social media site, but chose that welcoming the New Year was the perfect moment to abandon that policy as he shared the photograph of himself alongside his partner and children.
Centre stage in the image was a radiant Donatella, 70, who wrapped her arm around Elijah’s shoulder, whilst his elder sibling Zachary positioned himself beside his renowned father, reports the Mirror.
Describing the precious moment at London’s posh Claridge’s hotel, filmmaker David penned, “Ringing in the New Year Donatella style. Thank you @donatella_versace for the spectacular dinner at @claridgeshotel. We love you. La Famiglia Forever! All the F-J’s want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!” Fans were thrilled by the surprise family photograph, immediately flocking to the comments section. One gushed, “The F-J family looking sharp. Happy New Year to you all,” whilst another commented, “Wonderful. Your boys are certainly growing up. What handsome young men. Happy New Year.”
Elton and David call Windsor home, and their firstborn Zachary arrived on Christmas Day 2010 through a surrogate in California.
In a statement issued at the time, the ecstatic pair declared: “We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment. Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents.”
Elijah then arrived via the same surrogate mum in January 2013, in LA – following which the delighted parents announced, “The birth of our second son completes our family in a most precious and perfect way.”
The statement issued after Elijah’s arrival continued: “It is difficult to fully express how we are feeling at this time; we are just overwhelmed with happiness and excitement.”
Both Elton and David have spoken at length about their lads – who both served as ring bearers at their parents’ 2014 winter nuptials – though supporters have seldom glimpsed them photographed throughout the years.
Whilst they have featured in pictures previously, their family-orientated parents have steered clear of posting complete shots of them in what’s believed to be an effort to safeguard their privacy – opting to capture them either with their backs turned to the camera or their faces obscured. Last year, Elton captured a touching Instagram moment when he accompanied his sons to witness his beloved team Watford FC compete in their fresh strip.
The music legend holds the honorary position of life president at the club, a role he’s maintained since becoming chairman in 1976.
Positioned with their backs facing the camera, the father and his boys donned shirts bearing their individual names and embraced one another whilst absorbing the atmosphere of the game.
Following the arrival of his first child, Elton confessed it represented “the best decision we’ve made”, declaring: “You can’t put into words how much love we have for this little boy,”.
When he reached his milestone 75th birthday in 2022, Elton composed a heartfelt message to his sons in Time magazine, imparting wisdom and expressing his aspirations for their future.
He penned: “Zachary and Elijah, you two are the greatest gifts I have ever been given. You have filled my heart with love and my life with purpose and meaning in ways I didn’t think were possible. You are my proudest achievements, and I love you both so, so much.”
In the 2024 documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, the musical legend opened up about his concerns regarding mortality, disclosing that his sons “love their daddy, so they want me to be around forever, [and] I would love to be around forever.”
He concluded emotionally: “Time together is so wonderful and so precious.”
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