Elton John makes sweet comment about his 'pride' for sons Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 13 at the unveiling of his family portrait in London's National Portrait Gallery

Elton John made a rare comment about his sons Zachary and Elijah during the unveiling of his family portrait in London's National Portrait Gallery.

The singer, 78, who tends to keep his family life out of the spotlight, spoke of his pride of his children, who he shares with his husband David Furnish, 63.

Speaking fondly of his family, he said: 'It's a very proud moment for me. 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. I collect her works. 

'Yes, 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, she's an astonishing photographer. It's an honour to have her done this.'

The serene portrait captures the couple with their sons Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 13, and their two Labradors, Joseph and Jacob, at their lavish family home in Old Windsor. 

Sir Elton and David entered a civil partnership in 2005 and had their first son, Zachary, in 2010 before having Elijah in 2013, both via surrogacy. The couple then married in 2014.

Taken by photographer Catherine Opie, the portrait can be found in the gallery's Mary Weston Gallery from Tuesday, with the unveiling also marking the opening of the exhibition Catherine Opie: To Be Seen.

Sir Elton and David said: 'To have our family photographed by Catherine Opie and on display at the National Portrait Gallery is a huge honour.

'We are huge admirers of her work and proud to have her beautiful and poignant images in our collection.

The pair have also been long-time advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and have campaigned to tackle HIV/Aids including through the Elton John Aids foundation to help raise money for life-saving programmes.

Speaking about the portrait, Opie added: 'I arrived at Elton and David's house three days before Christmas. I met the boys and the dogs and after a great lunch together, I made this family portrait of them in their library.

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

Victoria Siddall, director of the National Portrait Gallery, said: 'The National Portrait Gallery's Collection exists to share portraits of the people who have shaped the history and culture of the UK, from the Tudor times to today.

'The people on our walls, and the stories we tell about them, are a source of inspiration for the millions of people who come through our doors, and particularly the many young people who visit every year.

'I am delighted to welcome this important portrait of the Furnish-John family by Catherine Opie into our Collection.

'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.'

Previously speaking about his sons Elton left his husband after saying he would 'not be around' to see them get married. 

In 2024 the music legend et cameras capture his final three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour for Disney+ film Elton John: Never Too Late.

In one scene, Sir Elton was seen apart from his family while touring the US and shares that he's leaving the road behind to 'dedicate more time to raising my children'.

He also reflected on his health saying: I want to see our children get married, but I don't think I'm going to be around for that.'

While emotional David admitted: 'That really upset me, because in my mind I sort of think Elton is going to live for ever – we all think that – and Elton is so vibrant that it's an easy thing to believe, but it forces you to confront that