LONDON--Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Monday brought to aspectacular close a star-studded diamond jubilee concert whichincluded a heartfelt tribute from the huge crowd to her ill husbandPrince Philip. The queen appeared on stage, after Paul McCartney had performed thefinal set, to light a ceremonial beacon, triggering a thunderousfirework display seen by hundreds of thousands of spectators. Moments earlier, her son and heir Prince Charles took center stageto celebrate the life and service of a very special person, drawing cheers from the crowd as he paid tribute to his mommy. Despite the informal good spirit of the occasion, the princeexpressed regret over the absence of Prince Philip, who was earlierhospitalized with a bladder infection. The only sad thing about this evening is that my father cannot behere with us because unfortunately he's been taken unwell, hesaid. Charles urged the crowd to show their support, and they respondedby raising a huge roar and singing Philip, Philip. Singer Robbie Williams kicked off the gala event on a giant stagein front of Buckingham Palace in London, and was followed by actsfrom throughout her 60-year reign including Elton John, KylieMinogue and Stevie Wonder. McCartney brought the music to a dizzying climax with a brief setof Beatles and solo classics. The crowd joined in as Macca ran through Magical MysteryTour, Let It Be, a pyrotechnic-filled Live and Let Die and Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, which had members of the royal boxsinging along. The singer later said he was proud to be part of a fantasticspectacle. I don't know why people think the British are so stuffy when thequeen holds raging house parties like this, he joked. You feelquite honored to come on and do your bit. We love to do our bit. The 86-year-old monarch, wearing a black and gold cape, arrived 90minutes into the three-hour concert and was instantly greeted bycheers from a sea of revelers waving red, white and blue UnionFlags. The queen smiled and waved to the crowd after reaching her seat buther appearance without the man who has been at her side for 60years of duty brought a tinge of sadness to the moment. Philip, who turns 91 on Sunday, will have to stay in hospital forseveral days, meaning he will also miss Tuesday's service ofthanksgiving and ceremonial carriage procession through London. He is, understandably, disappointed about missing this evening'sDiamond Jubilee Concert and tomorrow's engagements, BuckinghamPalace said. Comedian Lee Mack, one of the comperes, told the crowd that 250,000people had turned out to watch the concert directly or on bigscreens erected on the road leading to Buckingham Palace, andCharles acknowledged the huge display of national pride. I was three when my grandfather King George VI died and suddenly,unexpectedly, your and my father's lives were irrevocably changedwhen you were only 26, he told the queen as he spoke on stage. So as a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my fatherfor always being there for us, for inspiring us with your selflessduty and service and for making us proud to be British. Charles, his sons Princes William and Harry, other royals andspecial guests including Prime Minister David Cameron moved to themusic in the royal box, then stood to attention when the queenarrived. Singer Grace Jones hula-hooped throughout her entire act whilesingers Tom Jones and Cliff Richard sang medleys of hits datingback more than half a century. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Twin Tuner Satellite Receiver Manufacturer , China HD PVR Satellite Receiver for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits FTA Satellite Receiver.
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