David Furnish has opened up about married life with the music icon – from parenting two teenage boys to finally receiving his first-ever love song after 31 years together.
Speaking exclusively to the Standard at the glittering launch of Sir Elton John's eyewear collaboration with Specsavers at Bacchanalia Mayfair, the 62-year-old filmmaker and manager looked effortlessly stylish in one of his husband's new frames.
When we asked him about family life, he laughed as he recounted his recent boys' trip to Coachella without the music legend. "I took our sons to Coachella and did three days of music festival. I loved it," Furnish beamed.
"They chose what they wanted to see – I didn't know half the artists they picked! Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, Afrojack, Sam Fender... we were up every night till 2 or 3am. I kept thinking, 'When are we going to get tired?' But seeing it through their eyes was magical."
Furnish, who shares sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, with the Tiny Dancer icon, added: "It was easier to do with just the boys and me. Our first Coachella together – we were high on the whole experience."
The conversation turned emotional when discussing Someone To Belong To the track from Elton's chart-topping new album Who Believes In Angels? – the first song he's ever dedicated to Furnish in their three-decade relationship.
"It took 31 years... 31 years!" Furnish exclaimed with a mix of amusement and shock. "It doesn't matter if it's the greatest love song in the world – it took 31 years to get one!"
Pressed on whether he'd ever complained about the lack of musical tributes, Furnish chuckled: "I never said it – I might've thought it."
The track's lyrics came from their close friend, Grammy-winner Brandi Carlile. "Elton isn't a lyricist – he writes the melodies," Furnish explained.
"It's really wonderful that this came from Brandi, who's a dear friend and has spent so much time with our family. Seeing someone else's perspective on our relationship was fascinating. I was thrilled, overjoyed, very emotional. Touched."
When asked how they've maintained their relationship under the relentless glare of fame, Furnish credited teamwork and parenthood.
"We're a good team, and having children adds depth, dimension and joy to our lives," he said. "I've been managing him now for nearly 10 years, and I love collaborating with him. I love working with him."
He also firmly dismissed any concerns about 78-year-old Elton's health. "I never have to drag him out of his chair or push him out the door," Furnish asserted with a smile.
The Bacchanalia event marked the launch of Elton John Eyewear – a vibrant 14-piece collection (12 optical frames and two limited-edition sunglasses) inspired by career-defining moments and hits like Tiny Dancer and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Furnish, adjusting his own pair, told the Standard: "They're different but look like they belong on someone's face. Our campaign is just the right amount of Elton."
He revealed the couple maintains a "mini gallery" of the musician's iconic frames. "We have over 10,000 in storage," he confessed.
In a statement to the Standard, Sir Elton - who is one of the world’s most famous spectacles wearers added: "Glasses have always been a big part of who I am. Style is about confidence and expressing who you truly are – that's what this collection embodies."
The collection – ranging from bold, bedazzled designs to more subtle, wearable styles – launches in stores and online Wednesday, May 7. Each pair comes with a QR code linking to exclusive Elton John content, blending fashion with fan experience.
As the champagne flowed at Bacchanalia's Roman-inspired dining room where iconic costumes from Sir Elton’s career were showcased, Furnish added that the singer, who retired from touring last year, is always working on new music while continuing their shared philanthropic work through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
One thing's certain – whether parenting teenagers, managing a music icon's career, or launching eyewear collections, the power couple has no intention of slowing down.
The Elton John Eyewear collection launches at Specsavers stores and online Wednesday, May 7. Who Believes In Angels? is out now
