Elton John’s seriously unusual kneecap necklace is getting attention all over again on social media – and just like the first time fans saw it, they once again have a lot to say about the one-of-a-kind design!
The six-time Grammy winner turned heads when he showed off a custom necklace made from his own right kneecap at the Elton John: Never Too Late premiere at the BFI London Film Festival back in October 2024. And now, a recent Instagram post about the unique piece has sparked some hilarious – and slightly horrified – reactions from social media users.
The 79-year-old EGOT recipient underwent a double knee replacement in 2024, having his left knee replaced first and his right knee later that year. But rather than parting ways with his old kneecaps for good, the “Rocket Man” hitmaker reportedly asked his surgeon if he could keep them – something he admitted in the 2025 Touched By Gold documentary left the surgeon somewhat startled!
The “Cold Heart” musician then enlisted jewelry designer Theo Fennell to transform them into wearable pieces, with his right kneecap becoming the statement necklace that fans are talking about all over again, and his smaller left kneecap being turned into a brooch.
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
Elton John Shows Off His Kneecap Necklace At 'Elton John: Never Too Late' Premiere
The "I'm Still Standing" hitmaker proudly showed off the unusual necklace at the U.K. premiere of his documentary Elton John: Never Too Late. He wore the statement piece over a colorful striped shirt, which he teamed with a tailored brown suit and, of course, a pair of his signature statement glasses.
John has experimented with some bold fashion choices throughout his life and career, including his signature oversized glasses and flamboyant stage ensembles. (Check out one of our favorites below!) The Louis XIV costume, designed by Sandy Powell, which he wore for his 50th birthday back in 1997, and which was on display at the V&A for its Diva exhibit, still lives rent-free in our minds. As does the Bob Mackie rhinestone-encrusted Dodgers uniform he wore for his historic sold-out stadium concerts back in the seventies. And this necklace is certainly up there among the things that will go down in fashion history!
John previously revealed that his surgeon told him they were some of the worst knees he had ever operated on, and even pointed out a hole in his right kneecap, which John joked made it look like an "old artifact from Egypt." Fennell reportedly had the kneecaps baked to dry them out before treating and polishing them, with the right kneecap ultimately becoming the eye-catching necklace.
He also designed the chain to resemble bones, while the back features a Latin inscription that translates to: "I will no longer bow to any man." "I honestly think these are timeless pieces that will last for centuries," John previously said of the finished jewelry in the Touched By Gold documentary.
Internet Reactions
The unusual accessory is now getting attention all over again on social media, and fans had a lot of fun in the comments section of a recent Instagram post. "At least he's still standing," joked one fan. "I have a bone to pick with this one," quipped a second, as a third simply said: "Kneeclace."
"I kneed that," concurred a fourth, as a fifth said: "He also likes the band Kneecap." "We love a patellar pendant," praised a sixth. "Alotta good memories on those knees," said a seventh.
"That is going to sell for a fortune in the future," thought an eighth, as a ninth said: "That's goth as hell."
"Why?" asked a tenth, as an eleventh said: "Rich ppl are so weird lol." "Lowkey disgusting," slammed a twelfth. "He should've turned them into glasses frames!" exclaimed a thirteenth.
