Damian Whitworth
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Police formed a ring of steel around Wembley Stadium yesterday during a concert that grabbed global attention and was potentially a prime target for a terrorist assault.
Inside, the audience was taken back to a more innocent time. The girth of some of the stars might have been more ample, and the wrinkles a bit deeper, but it was possible for the music fans there to imagine that they were back in the days when a princess was jigging along to Duran Duran.
If an event organised by the second and third in line to the throne and featuring a stellar line-up was a headache for security chiefs, the fans were not going to let that spoil the party.
Prince William and Prince Harry sought to reclaim the image of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, with a concert — on what would have been her 46th birthday — to mark the tenth anniversary of her death. So, while some of their own favourite acts were on the bill, this was predominantly an event to reflect her personality and passions, from the English National Ballet to Bryan Ferry.
Those at the concert were keen to show that they were not deterred by the terrorist threat. “If we start changing the way we behave then they have won, haven’t they?” Pam Wright, 46 from Hatfield, said. “This is probably the safest place in the country today.”
As Sir Elton John opened the show at 4pm for an estimated worldwide television audience of 160 million, the stadium was only three-quarters full. There were still long queues while security guards frisked those entering the stadium with handheld metal detectors. Some seats remained empty throughout the show and it was not clear if these belonged to people who had been deterred by security concerns or to the touts who were not doing much business before the show started. About 500 police were in the area.
Asking the audience to have an “awesome” time, Prince William said that the concert was “about all that our mother loved in life — her music, her dancing, her charities and her family and friends”. But there was a reference to the troubles in the world as Prince Harry, who was prevented from joining his regiment in Iraq, said: “I would 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.”
Kate Middleton, the former girlfriend of Prince William, was among a group of the princes’ friends in the royal box that also included Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry’s girlfriend. Newspaper reports have claimed that the heir to the throne and Miss Middleton have rekindled their relationship, but Prince William had been coy when asked if she would be there, telling reporters: “I’ve got lots of friends coming. So everyone is going to be there.”
Miss Middleton sat a short distance from Prince William, and her family were also there.
Prince William had said that “it’ll be a terrifying sight” if he and his brother danced, but they tried gamely, displaying less style than their mother, perhaps, but rather more than their father. She famously danced along at Live Aid while Prince Charles looked somewhat uncomfortable.
The brothers introduced Duran Duran, their mother’s favourite band. John Taylor said that before the concert the brothers had told them to keep the tone of their performance “upbeat”. He added: “I thought it was very brave of them to put this show on. I can only imagine the emotions that there would be putting on this in remembrance.”
Many in the crowd said that they wanted to celebrate the Princess’s life. “I like a lot of the music but she was the reason I came,” Amanda Knight, 55, said. “I slept on The Mall the night before her funeral and I still think her life had a big impact. Hopefully her boys can continue her work and this concert shows that they know how to connect with people like she did.”
Proceeds from the concert will go to charities supported by the Princess and her sons. This was possibly the best-groomed audience of any rock concert. It was not a day for the mosh pit, it was day for eating strawberries and cream (£4 for ten strawberries) and remembering the days when one woman rocked all over the world.
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It is obvious Diana was a wonderful mother to her boys. The event they played to celebrate her life was wonderful. The boys should feel that they honored their mother just as they should have. Iâm sure she is looking down on them with her beautiful smile and feeling very proud as a mother.
Good job!
K, California, USA
I would like to send best wishes and congratulations
to the Princes, Harry, and William, on a splendid concert to celebrate their mum birthday. The Princess of Wales the very beautyfull, Diana.
Well done Boys on organising a splendid concert.
I wish Princess Harry and William well, and hope they inspire lots of young people, to live in a World that should be full with love and peace.
Thank you
Bill Reddin
Rep of Ire..
Bill Reddin, Portlaoise, Laois Ireland
What a splendid way to spend 7 hours on a rainy Sunday - but can someone tell me who was responsible for the abysmal production of this televisual marathon? Loss of sound, poor links, embarrassing cut backs and the most shambolic, uninspiring finale I have ever witnessed. Even poor Ricky couldn't maintain over 5 minutes of unrehearsed 'filling' without sweating. All this despite unceremoniously CUTTING almost every act in order to finish on time and STILL finishing late. Compare this to the BBCs excellent Glastonbury coverage (from MULTI stages I add) and I can only assume it wasn't just the Beeb that had a hand in this...? Where were the fireworks, Wembley?
Little Bill's Mother, Marlborough,
What I find suprising is how deep sentimentality still seems to pervade the British national conciousness. Diana is being cannonised and even worshipped. Next step sainthood had she been catholic. I find that very unsettling and disturbing. It was the same when she died. British society seems to need icons of worship to replace traditional religious teaching and leadership. It's all founded on clay, hollow and fairly pointless.
The music was pretty average too.
M.J. Frizell, Payzac, France
Why are you embarrassed? Why don't you celebrate every anniversary of your birth, no matter which one it is? Life is too short to only celebrate birthdays every 10 years! In fact, I suggest that you celebrate each day that you're alive, Richard.
The Concert for Diana was well meant and well received by people all over the world, and that is what will keep the English Monarchy alive. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there in person!
Heidi Currier Ferris, Boston, Massachusetts
I must say the Princes did a wonderful job of pulling of a beautiful concert in memory of their beloved mum, the beautiful LADY DI. It was a great success . Their mum would have been so very very proud.
Larena Duval, Stephenville Crossing Nfld, Canada
Rather tacky the whole affair. Instead of having a bunch of Wills and Harry's pointless "friends" in the Royal box it would have been more appropriate to invite underprivileged children who wouldn't get the chance to attend an event like this - after all it was for charity - wasn't it???
Julia, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
God bless the two young princes. They certainly love their mother - although she has been gone 10 long years. In their short life, that is an eternity. That is an awesone thing for young boys (men) their age to do, I believe. But after all, how many young men have a mother who was a "beautiful young princess?"
What a beautiful tribute they gave to her...and will give at the church memorial service later this year.
From my age 50 perspective, I think Diana would be proud!
Suzanne McKibben, Akron, Ohio
I relly loved what the princes did today for there mothers birthday our princess i loved the hole show there mother would be so proud of them god bless
charlene mullen, paisley, scotland
I have never been a huge fan of the monachy, but with Charles, Harry and William, I am seriously considering my profound admiration again.
Obviously, with Charles the reasons are different, but last night I was absolutely dumbfounded with the Princes concert, to celebrate their mothers life.
The atmosphere from my living room was amazing.
All emotions covered. From remebering Diana and the brilliant and courageous work she did, to being flabberghasted at the reaction she encouraged from people.
It's also highly encouraging to know, that all proceeds went to Diana's charities, which she adored.
Kudos.
I think the princes have been brought up very well and I truly admire our monachy again.
Emily, London,
I personally welcome this moment of life in the princess lives.
P Balaji Prasad, Tirupati, India/Andhra Pradesh
I was very little when Diana died but from what my mother before she died about Diana i am thinking that she was a wonderful person. i which she was still alive so that i could get to meet her, but she is not here and what can i do. hwe sons are very nice people who is makig sure that she is not forgoten and i hope to do that for me mother some day.
Mo, hastings, U.S
the Princes did a wonderful job. I truly enjoyed it.
kast, toronto,
How embarassing! How is the apprioriate theme the second annivrersary of her death? Should it not be the 46 anniversary of her birth? WHen did anyone celebrate his 46th birth?
If anything contributes to the demise of the monarchy this disrepect will surely lead the way,
Richard Groff, Bradenton, FL
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