One million converge on Buckingham Palace for star-packed jubilee pop concert

One million people thronged the area around Buckingham Palace last night for a pop concert that was proving to be the high point of populism during the four days of golden jubilee celebrations. By 6pm, the police were advising that all the space in front of the palace was filled by revellers. So, by 7.30pm was The Mall, as people were urged to head to one of the nearby royal parks to watch the "Party at the Palace" on one of the big screens put up for the performance.

One million people thronged the area around Buckingham Palace last night for a pop concert that was proving to be the high point of populism during the four days of golden jubilee celebrations. By 6pm, the police were advising that all the space in front of the palace was filled by revellers. So, by 7.30pm was The Mall, as people were urged to head to one of the nearby royal parks to watch the "Party at the Palace" on one of the big screens put up for the performance.

Whether they had come to pay tribute to the 50-year reign of the Queen, or merely wanted to see Ruby Wax doing a double act on stage with Kermit the Frog, was not immediately clear. However, yesterday the travails of Sven's boys were old news, palace fires history. Yesterday was for bunting and thousands of street parties dotted around the country.

Away from the crowds the right royal gala was greeted with some indifference. DIY stores were doing a roaring trade.