Diamond Jubilee concert begins on Mall

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert has begun outside Buckingham Palace.

The event kicked off with the Band of the Scots Guards performing for the 12,000 ticket holders and the thousands more on the Mall in London.

Pop star Robbie Williams then took to the specially-constructed stage around the Queen Victoria Memorial to sing his hit Let Me Entertain You.

Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney are among the stars scheduled to perform.

The concert is being broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2 in the UK and to millions around the world.

It is a joint venture between the BBC and Gary Barlow, who co-wrote Sing, the official song for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Other artists taking part in the show include Jessie J, JLS, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ed Sheeran and Sir Cliff Richard.

Pop veterans Madness will perform Our House from the roof of Buckingham Palace - the same place that Queen guitarist Brian May played the National Anthem during the Golden Jubilee concert in 2002.

Classical music will be represented by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bryn Terfel and pianist Lang Lang.

Sir Tom Jones, who first performed for the Queen at the 1967 Royal Command Performance, said he was looking forward to appearing before her again.

"It does make you feel different," he told the BBC earlier. "It keeps you on your toes."

The Duke of Edinburgh will not attend after being taken to hospital with a bladder infection.

"We all wish him the best for a speedy recovery," said Sir Paul McCartney. "I hear it's not too bad."

The concert will end with the Queen lighting one of 4,500 beacons across the world marking her 60-year reign.

US viewers will be able to watch highlights on ABC on Tuesday.