William and brother Harry took to the stage in front of a 63,000-strong crowd at Wembley Stadium at the start of the special event they have organised in memory of their mother, on what would have been her 46th birthday.

Sir Elton John opened the event 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, 25. "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."

And the 22-year-old royal couldn’t resist cracking a gag.

"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," he quipped.

The princes were watched by Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy and William’s former girlfriend Kate Middleton, who helped them to organise the event.

The concert marks the 10th anniversary of Diana’s death 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.


Tom and P Diddy join Diana gig line-up - May 9 2007
Tom Jones and P Diddy have joined the line-up for the Concert For Diana, it was announced.

Nelly Furtado, Will Young and Supertramp singer Roger Hodgson will also perform at the gig, to be held at Wembley Stadium on July 1.

The event has been organised by Prince William and Harry to celebrate the life of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Supertramp are said to have been a favourite of the late princess.

Their 1979 album Breakfast In America was in her record collection and was one of the items butler Paul Burrell was accused, and later cleared, of stealing five years ago.

The acts will join a line-up of stars which includes Sir Elton John, Joss Stone, Lily Allen, Kanye West, Duran Duran, Status Quo and Take That.

There will also be a performance by the English National Ballet and an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley.

The concert marks what would have been Diana’s 46th birthday.

William and Harry have described it as "the best birthday present she ever had".

The princes will appear on stage at some point during the five-hour event.

A memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of Diana’s death will be held on August 31 at the Guards’ Chapel in London.

Read more about Diana Concert

Diana concert sells out in minutes - April 27 2007
The latest batch of tickets for Prince William and Prince Harry’s concert in memory of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, sold out within minutes today.

Ten thousand more seats for the event were up for grabs from 9am, but were snapped up soon after going on sale.

The tickets sold out in 20 minutes, Clarence House said.