Candles in Wembley wind

The words will soon be familiar to millions, but when Elton John's as yet unreleased tribute to the Princess of Wales was played before England's World Cup match against Moldova at Wembley last night, 75,000 singers could only try to pick it up as they went along, writes Mike Rowbottom.

Many had taken the song's title as a cue to present their own tribute - several hundred candles flickered in the wind amid slowly waving flags of St George as the recording was played. There were other outward signs of respect. Some in the crowd wore black ribbons on their replica shirts, as indeed did the England team on their real ones, and after the national anthem, a minute's silence was observed - a silence which was without blemish.