Queen's jublee show goes on despite husband's illness

A star-studded concert marking the diamond jubilee of Britains Queen Elizabeth II kicked off Monday, with spirits high despite the hospitalisation of her husband Prince Philip just hours before.Singer Robbie Williams was the first artist to take to the stage in front of Buckingham Palace, and he was to be followed by music legends including Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Kylie Minogue.The gala concert, watched by tens of thousands of people, will be followed by the lighting of the centrepiece in a chain of 4,200 beacons spanning the Commonwealth to celebrate her 60th year on the British throne.But the 86-year-old queen was without her husband Philip, who turns 91 on Sunday, after he was taken to hospital just hours before the concert because of a bladder infection.The prince, who underwent an emergency heart procedure in December, will have to stay in hospital for several days, meaning he will miss the concert and a service of thanksgiving and ceremonial carriage procession on Tuesday.The show kicked off with fireworks and flames shooting into the air and a royal fanfare by the Coldstream Guards in red tunics, followed by Williams with a spirited rendition of his hit Let Me Entertain You.Heir to the throne Prince Charles, his sons William and Harry and other royals and special guests moved to the beats in their special box, while a crowd of around 10,000 people had seated tickets.Tens of thousands of people cheering and waving red white and blue British flags stretched out down the Mall, the ceremonial avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace.McCartney paid tribute to the queen, saying she was a great woman.The organisers have refused to rule out that the queens grandson Prince Harry will play the tambourine during a performance of a charity song written for the occasion by Take Thats Gary Barlow and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.The concert will culminate in the queen placing a diamond-shaped glass crystal into a special pod, lighting one of the last beacons in The Mall, the broad ceremonial avenue that leads up to the palace.