Stars shine at Diamond Jubilee concert

A host of stars perform at The Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace in London.

The Queen and The Prince of Wales on stage with the performers at the end of the Diamond Jubilee concert
The Queen and The Prince of Wales on stage with the performers at the end of the Diamond Jubilee concert

Sir Paul McCartney, Madness, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Sir Elton John were among those to sing before The Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family.

The event was attended by 12,000 ticket holders, with thousands more spectators lining the length of The Mall.

Sir Paul McCartney was the final act on a night that ended when the Queen lit a beacon to mark her 60-year reign.

The concert was watched by millions worldwide in a live broadcast.

Williams was the first star of the night, taking to the specially constructed stage around the Queen Victoria Memorial to sing his hit Let Me Entertain You.

He was followed on stage by Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am, his fellow The Voice judge Jessie J and chart-topping boy band JLS.

Ex-Take That star Gary Barlow then took to the stage to perform a surprise duet with Cheryl Cole.

Next on the bill was Sir Cliff Richard, who performed a decade-straddling medley of hits and his 1968 Eurovision track Congratulations.

Singer Grace Jones surely deserved some herself for performing Slave to the Rhythm while spinning a hula hoop around her midriff.

The world of classical music was represented by Chinese pianist Lang Lang, US soprano Renee Fleming and English tenor Alfie Boe.

Other artists who appeared include Annie Lennox, Ed Sheeran and Sir Tom Jones.

Dame Shirley Bassey performed Diamonds are Forever, while Kylie Minogue - dressed as a pearly queen - was joined by street dance crew Flawless.

She was followed by Sir Elton John, who sang such tracks as Crocodile Rock and Our Song in a sparkly pink jacket.

Stevie Wonder took the opportunity to wish the Queen a happy birthday during a set that included Isn't She Lovely.

Though the monarch was born on 21 April, her official birthday is traditionally celebrated at the beginning of June.

Pop veterans Madness then performed Our House from the roof of the Palace.

It was there that the Queen guitarist Brian May played the National Anthem during the Golden Jubilee concert in 2002.

Between the music acts, hosting duties were handled by Rob Brydon, Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry and Lee Mack.

At the end of the night, Prince Charles appeared on stage with his mother and thanked her for "making us proud to be British".

"As a nation, this is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us," he said.

The Duke of Edinburgh was unable to attend the concert after being taken to hospital earlier with a bladder infection.

"Unfortunately he is taken unwell," the Prince told the crowd. "But if we shout loud enough, he might just hear us in hospital."