Commonwealth leaders to attend Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace

JLS has been confirmed to make an appearance at the Diamond Jubilee celebration

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JUNE 4TH 2012 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas will be among government leaders and diplomats representing Queen Elizabeth’s Commonwealth Caribbean realms, who will attend a concert on Monday to celebrate the monarch’s 60-year reign.

Prime Minister Douglas and other Commonwealth guests will first attend a reception hosted by Queen Elisabeth at Buckingham Palace before moving to the VIP seating area for the Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace and the Lighting of the National Beacon at The Mall.

Highlights of the diamond jubilee concert, featuring a star-studded line-up of performers including Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, JLS, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Alfie Boe will perform on a spectacular stage built around the Queen Victoria Memorial, right in front of Buckingham Palace.

Hosts include Rob Brydon, Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry and Lee Mack and proceedings will conclude with Her Majesty the Queen lighting the National Beacon.

Ten thousand tickets have been given away through a public ballot for the event, to be held outside Buckingham Palace.

Millions more will be able to watch the musical extravaganza live on BBC1 or tune in on Radio2.

Shirely Bassey

Media reports say organised by Take That singer Gary Barlow, whose song released in honour of the Jubilee shot straight to number one on its release last night, it will showcase the best of pop, rock, classical and musical theatre from each decade of the monarch’s 60-year reign.

Gary Barlow took to Twitter to express his excitement at the evening’s event, and pay tribute to Paul McCartney, who he called a ‘total legend’, saying his rehearsal set made him ‘feel like a complete beginner’.

A unique concert stage has been designed to encircle the stunning gold-encrusted Queen Victoria Memorial which stands at the front of the palace with seating either side.

Giant screens will also be erected in the nearby Mall for members of the public not lucky enough to secure tickets to watch.

Gary, 41, has a strong line-up of artists but he is particularly happy that he has managed to secure the services of one of England’s most successful musicians ever – Paul McCartney.

He said his experience of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 when he was a boy was of everyone coming together to celebrate: ‘That’s what we’re trying to do here, make this concert all-encompassing for everyone involved, that’s why I was so keen on moving it out of the back of the palace… and out the front.’

The Queen Victoria Memorial, right in front of Buckingham Palace

The singer added that this would enable crowds to congregate in The Mall and nearby Green Park to share the event he believes will attract 500,000 people.

“With Buckingham Palace as a backdrop, it’s going to be a fantastic event which transcends multiple decades of music.”

Sir Paul, 69, will not be the only knight of the realm to perform for Her Royal Highness.

Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, and Sir Tom Jones are also on the bill as is Dame Shirley Bassey.

Modern day artists such as Jessie J, JLS, and Ed Sheeran will be performing and Gary revealed that some of the younger royals had made requests for some of their favourite bands.

With an estimated audience of just over 10,000 people, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and other members of the Royal Family will be in a special section to watch the show.

Guests have been invited to arrive from around 3.30pm to allow them to picnic in the palace gardens beforehand, despite the inclement weather.