Prince and Duke pay tribute as Rod hopes to make tonight the night
William and Charles offer family memories, while Rod Stewart sings for ‘the woman who is like a sister’
THE Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge will both pay a heartfelt tribute to the Queen at a concert in her honour tonight, relaying their memories as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.
The Prince and Duke will speak separately, in what are expected to be two emotional interludes in between performances from some of the world’s best known singers and musicians.
Father and son have been working on their tributes in the lead-up to the jubilee celebrations, and hope to capture both the Queen’s contribution to the nation and Commonwealth and, movingly, their own family.
Ten years ago at the Diamond Jubilee, Prince Charles was cheered to the rafters at a similar concert as he addressed the Queen as “Your Majesty… Mummy”.
He went on to lead the crowd in a rousing rendition of “hip hip hooray”.
Last night, Clarence House and Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William would also share his thoughts from the stage this year.
The Royal family may face competition in the tribute stakes from Sir Rod Stewart, one of the performers at the Platinum Party at the Palace who said he thought of the Queen “almost like a sister”.
The singer is one of dozens of performers taking part in the concert outside Buckingham Palace, including Diana Ross, Duran Duran and Eurovision star Sam Ryder.
Explaining what the Platinum Jubilee means to him, Sir Rod said: “It’s pride in being British.
“It’s the pageantry, the romance. I’ve grown up with this woman.
“I was seven when she came to the throne so she’s always been part of my life, and the fact that I’ve met her on several occasions makes it even more important for me.
“She has been so much part of my life, [she is] almost like a sister.
“She has always been in the background of my life.”
Sir Rod told BBC News that he will be singing a song he has never performed before.
Sir Elton John has pre-recorded his performance, but the other stars will appear in person.
The rock band Queen will open the show, in a nod to the 2002 Jubilee at which guitarist Brian May played God Save the Queen from the roof of the Palace. Speaking about the invitation to appear at tonight’s concert, May said: “There was a moment when I wondered: after the Buckingham Palace roof, where can you go?
“Well, you will see.”
Diana Ross will close the show in her first UK live performance in 15 years.
She is said to be a favourite of the Prince of Wales. Ross said: “I have had the honour of meeting the Queen many times throughout my life, including when I was with my family.
“Her Majesty has and continues to be such an incredible inspiration to so many across the world and I was absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous and historic occasion.”
Three interconnected stages have been erected around the Victoria Memorial at the top of The Mall.
The design incorporates 70 illuminated columns – one for each year of the Queen’s reign.
Around 22,000 spectators will attend, with 10,000 tickets allocated via ballot and a further 7,500 allocated to key workers, volunteers, charity workers and members of the Armed Forces.
The Met Office is predicting thunderstorms towards the end of the show, although bad weather is unlikely to dampen spirits.