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Elton John heads Diana memorial concert

12/12/2006

Elton John will be among the stars performing at a concert held at Wembley Stadium next summer in memory of Princess Diana, Clarence House has announced.

Princes William and Harry revealed the details of the July 1st concert today, as well as announcing a memorial service to mark the tenth anniversary of their mother's death on August 31st next year.

Prince Charles and his new wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will both attend the memorial service, as will the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, among others.

But Camilla, who was famously described by Diana as the "third person" in her and Charles' marriage when the relationship was in trouble, is not expected to attend the concert.

The gig will be one of the first to take place at the renovated north London venue and will be on what would have been Diana's 46th birthday.

As well as Sir Elton, whose version of Candle in the Wind recorded in memory of Diana spent weeks at the top of the music charts, Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Pharrell Williams, The English National Ballet and Joss Stone will all perform at the Concert for Diana.

West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber will also stage a medley of songs from some of his greatest shows.

"We both wanted to put our stamp on it. We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted," Prince William said of the concert, which he and his younger brother have organised.

"So therefore the church service alone isn't enough. We wanted to have this big concert full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted.

"And on her birthday as well, it's got to be the best birthday present she ever had.

"First and foremost the evening is for her. It's to remember her and to commemorate her life and celebrate it."

Prince Harry added of the memorial service: "The service is going to include both sides of the family, our mother's side and our father's side - everyone getting together. It should be a good occasion."

All profits from the concert will go to charities which Diana was involved with, as well as two – Centrepoint and Setebale – which her two sons support.

Tickets will be available on a specially set up website tomorrow morning at a cost of £45.

Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris along with her lover Dodi al-Fayed in the early hours of August 31st 1997.

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