Old And New Mix At Concert For Diana

70,000 Fans Crowd Wembley For Star-Studded Memorial Show

(CBS/AP)  Police said they believed Saturday's attack was linked to the car bombs, and Britain raised its terror alert to "critical" — the highest possible level. At least 450 officers were on duty to police the concert.

3Rapper Pharrell made reference to the terror alert at the beginning of his set, telling the crowd that "in spite of all the crazy things that's been happening over the last couple of days, I'd like to see Great Britain stand up for peace."

The show also included a performance of a scene from "Swan Lake" by the English National Ballet in honor of Diana's love of dance and theater. One of the hosts of the VH1 telecast quipped that the classical ballet performance was a first for the music network.

An international group of performers including Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, Anastacia, and Donny Osmond performed a medley of songs from the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber which the princess adored.

Presenters included actors Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Hopper, and Sienna Miller; "American Idol" stars Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Ryan Seacrest; and soccer star David Beckham.

"I think what the princes have acheived here today is truly remarkable and the nation should be so proud of them," said Beckham, who received a huge ovation when he arrived on stage.

The concert ended the way it began, with a performance by Elton John. He was introduced by comedian Ricky Gervais, who had to vamp for several minutes due to an unspecified delay.

When Elton John finally appeared, he sang a medley of his songs that did not include the expected tribute to the princess, "Candle In The Wind," which he played at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey. Originally about Marilyn Monroe, its lyrics were reworked in tribute to Diana, and it became a worldwide No. 1 hit in 1997.

Prince Harry had told the BBC in an interview aired Friday that the brothers had asked Elton John to play the song. But, the singer stuck to a vow he made after Diana's funeral to never perform the song again.

After John's performance, the princes appeared on stage to thank the artists and the crowd.

"For us, this has been the most perfect way of remembering her. And this is how she would have wanted to be remembered," said Prince William.

The evening ended with a short montage of home movies of the princess as a young girl.

Diana is remembered for her glamour, for her extensive charity work — and for her tempestuous marriage to Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. The pair married in 1981 in a ceremony watched by millions around the world, but divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides.

William said the concert was a chance for people to "remember all the good things about her because she's not here to defend herself when she gets criticized."

"After 10 years, there's been a rumbling of people bringing up the bad, and over time people seem to forget — or have forgotten — all the amazing things she did and what an amazing person she was," William said in a British Broadcasting Corp. interview, which was recorded earlier this month and broadcast Friday.

A memorial service is also planned in London on Aug. 31, the anniversary of Diana's death.

Iam proud of Prince william and prince harry. with so much garbage about their mother going on. They chose to remember the good she done. Their mother would be proud of her boys.

[missut2]

The concert was wonderful...great memories of Diana throughout. William and Harry look so much like her. She would be so proud of them and the men they have become. This was a fitting way for them to honor Diana on her birthday.

Diana was the Princess of Wales, but she was also claimed by the World as it's Princess...She is still beloved and sorely missed. Diana has a very special place in history and will never be forgotten. In her short time as Princess, she left a legacy that Queen Elizabeth could never be able to touch. The world lost a shining star when it lost Diana.

Thanks to Prince William and Prince Harry for sharing this celebration of your Mother with us.

[barbaraf4]

Diana would be so proud of her boys. They have turned out just like she wanted - none of that stuffy royalty garbage.

[konabike]

Great show! The boys did a great job to honor their mother.

[cmp271]

Long Live Diana.

She will never be forgotten, and remembered well in history, especially as the one Princess who the Queen bowed to, finally, at the end. I will always remember the BBC playing God Save the Queen for her that night when they announced she was gone, before anyone could stop them from playing it for her, she truly was a Queen.

No one can ever replace her and her boys need to follow more in her footsteps and be who they need to really be and not what the royal machine thinks they should be. They are everyone's sons who cared about her, as I consider them my own too. (That red hair IS from the milkman-lol).

Good for them doing this for their Mother, she taught them well!!!

Let's hope they read our comments here too!!!