Royal fans in Britain have gathered outside Buckingham Palace for a day of celebration in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 50-year reign.
The Party at the Palace rocked off to a royal start with Queen guitarist Brian May playing the National Anthem from the roof.
The 12,000 excited fans - who won tickets to the concert in a lottery - welcomed Prince William and Prince Harry who were among royals at the concert in the Queen's garden.
Latino heart-throb Ricky Martin and Mis-teeq, followed by S Club 7 and Annie Lennox kicked off the party which went ahead despite a fire at the Palace last night.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to join the party later.
The "Party at the Palace" was the culmination of a day of street parties and parades honoring the 76-year-old monarch on the third of four days of festivities which have confounded cynics' predictions they would prove a damp squib.
Although overshadowed by the nationwide show of patriotism, anti-royalists did their best not to be outdone. One group called the Movement Against the Monarchy (MA'M) organized an "Execute the Queen" party while another, "Stuff the Monarchy," declared a people's republic in a Welsh social club.
Many people camped in tents overnight to ensure they got the best possible view of events around the Palace, and told of their shock at witnessing yesterday’s fire at the Palace.
Ms Sandra Lister, of Brightlingsea, Essex, said campers were quickly ushered away from the Palace as police and fire crews went to work.
"We didn't really know how serious it was and could see plumes of smoke coming from over the central flag.
"I thought what a shame for the Queen for this to happen on her Jubilee. We are here to show her some encouragement - we are still rooting for her," she said.
Royal fanatic Mr John Loughrey, from Wandsworth, south west London, started camping out yesterday morning and said he was looking forward to seeing the golden coach.
"I'm really looking forward to it all. I was at the Silver Jubilee and this will be even more special," he said.
Officials last night confirmed today’s celebrations will go ahead even though rehearsals for the Jubilee pop concert were disrupted by a blaze at the the Buckingham Palace venue.
Stars were led away from the stage in the gardens and workers inside the building were also moved out. Smoke and flames billowed from the glass roof of a palace corridor. The fire was put out after about an hour.
Investigations are underway to establish how the blaze started although fire officials immediately ruled out foul play.
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