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Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium

1st July 2007

Prince William and Prince Harry took to the stage in front of a 63,000-strong crowd at Wembley Stadium to open the Concert for Diana, arranged in memory of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Sir Elton John opened the event, held on what would have been Diana's 46th birthday, with a performance of Your Song before introducing the two princes, who entered to a standing ovation.

"This event is about all that our mother loved in life - her music, her dancing, her charities and her family and friends," said William.

"We just want you to have an awesome time and enjoy the line-up."

Harry said: "It's great to see so many of you here supporting this very special show."

"When William and I first had the idea we forgot we would end up standing here desperately trying to think of something funny to say.

“We'll leave that to the funny people - and Ricky Gervais," joked Harry.

The concert marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and features a line-up of acts including Lily Allen, Take That, Kanye West and Sir Tom Jones.

The princes introduced one of their mother's favourite bands, Eighties heart-throbs Duran Duran, before taking their seats in the royal box.

Prince Harry delivered a special message to his Household Cavalry squadron serving in Iraq while on stage, telling them he wished he could be there with them.

Soldiers across Afghanistan and Iraq will be listening to a live radio simulcast of the concert through British Forces Broadcasting Services.

The Prince told the crowd: "I would also like to take this opportunity to say hi to all the guys in A Squadron of the Household Cavalry, who are serving out in Iraq at the moment.

"I wish I was there with you. I'm sorry I can't be. But to all of those on operations at the moment, we'd both like to say - stay safe."

Prince William told the audience: "We just want you to have an awesome time," before adding: "We have the greatest pleasure in introducing one of mother's favourite bands. It's Duran Duran."

The Princes then went off stage to take their seats in the Royal Box.

The show is being watched by a global audience of over 500 million people in 140 countries.

After a morning of rain showers, the sun came out for the start of the concert.

Sir Elton John opened the concert with Your Song.

Duran Duran treated the audience to hits including Rio, which singer Simon Le Bon dedicated "to the memory of this country's favourite princess".

Lily Allen got the crowd going with her hits Smile and LDN.

She was introduced by actress Sienna Miller, one of several stars who had presenting duties. Others included Jamie Oliver, Cat Deeley and Kiefer Sutherland.

In between the acts, the audience watched short films by ordinary people whose lives were touched by The Princess.

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