CTV.ca | Concert for Diana an exuberant celebration

Canadian singer Nelly Furtado performs on stage during the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday July 1, 2007. (AP / Matt Dunham)

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Britain's Prince William, left, and his brother Prince Harry introduce the first act on stage during the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday July 1, 2007. (AP / Matt Dunham)

Concert for Diana an exuberant celebration

Updated Sun. Jul. 1 2007 6:58 PM ET

Tyrone Warner, CTV.ca

Ten years after her untimely death, the most popular royal of the 20th century was remembered Sunday by some of England and the world's most well-known pop acts.

Elton John began the concert with a solo performance of his hit "Your Song" to a rapturous audience of almost 65,000 in London's Wembley stadium.

Following John's performance, Prince William told the audience "This evening is about all that our mother loved in life, her music, her charities and her family and friends."

The young prince then put the day in perspective, by simply saying "We just want you to have an awesome time."

Prince Harry also shared a special message to one special group of people watching the concert; his brothers in arms.

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to say hi to all the guys in A-Squadron, who are serving out in Iraq at the moment," said Harry.

The concert was organized by Prince William and Prince Harry. It would have been Diana's 46th birthday. Proceeds from the concert will go to charities supported by the late Princess, and to charities of which the Princes are Patrons.

In an interview with Canada AM's Seamus O'Regan, Kiefer Sutherland, on hand to introduce a couple bands, said that "To mourn her though music is beautiful, and the princes couldn't have made a better choice."

Concert performances

After taking the stage, the royals then introduced one of Diana's favourite bands, new-wave rockers Duran Duran, who roared through a triumphant set that included "Sunrise," "Wild Boys," and "Rio."

In a change of pace, James Morrison strummed his acoustic guitar on a smaller stage than Duran Duran and sang "You Give Me Something," accompanied only by a piano player.

Celebrities at the event included Sienna Miller and Dennis Hopper, who introduced the always sunny Lily Allen.

Also spotted in the royal boxes: Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy sitting with him; William's off-and-maybe-on gal Kate Middleton seated with friends two rows behind the princes, and Prince Andrew's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.

Fergie, on a solo break from her band, the Black Eyed Peas, dedicated her song "Big Girls Don't Cry" to Diana.

After Fergie's performancem, Sutherland strolled on stage and introduced pop-rockers "The Feeling."

Another Canadian at the concert, Nelly Furtado, was introduced by "American Idol" stars Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, and notorious Brit Simon Cowell (who faced a mix of cheers and boos). She kicked off her set with "Say it Right."

eTalk's Tanya Kim was backstage with Furtado, who was honoured to be picked by the royals to peform.

"It's quite a graceful event, it's a beautiful thing," she said.

Following Nelly, the concert shifted gears as the English National Ballet flooded the stage with white gowns and an orchestra for a scene from "Swan Lake."

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