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Our tribute to mother, by William and Harry
Last updated at 12:13pm on 12.12.06
William and Harry are organising the 'Concert for Diana', which will be staged at the new Wembley Stadium
Princes William and Harry today revealed their plans for a moving, double tribute to their mother marking the 10th anniversary of her death.
Speaking about their plans for the first time to the Evening Standard the princes officially announced two major events next year to celebrate Princess Diana's life.
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They have given the go-ahead for a memorial service on 31 August to be held in London. It will be preceded by a tribute concert on her birthday involving such stars as Sir Elton John.
Prince William said today: "We both wanted to put our stamp on it. We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted; how she was and all that sort of thing. So therefore the church service alone isn't enough.
"We wanted to have this big concert with, you know, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted.
"It's got to be the best birthday present she ever had. The main purpose is to celebrate and to have fun and to remember her in a fun way." Prince William added: "We've decided that it's going to be called Concert for Diana, because obviously the evening is going to be purely about her. It's to remember her and to celebrate her life."
Prince Harry said: "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 and lots of loud hymns, I Vow To Thee My Country, all the good ones."
The Concert for Diana will be held at Wembley Stadium and hosted by the princes. Artists already booked for the 1 July concert include Sir Elton , Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Pharrell Williams, The English National Ballet, Joss Stone and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will stage a medley of songs from some of his West End shows. It will raise money for Centrepoint, a homeless charity of which William is patron, and Sentebale, an AIDS charity based in Lesotho, set up by Harry in memory of his mother. Prince William and Prince Harry have invited the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer.
• Tickets, priced £45, will be made available from 9am tomorrow via the website www.concertfordiana.com.
Reader views (9)
Well done boys, knew you would not let her and us down
- Jenny Mann, dereham
If the princes wish for their stepmother to be present, then so be it. It is apparent that they are fond of Camilla, and that should be respected.
- Marlene, Alexandria, VA
I am also cringing already.
- Brian, Bristol
Susie from London, read the final paragraph and the following sentence:
It will raise money for Centrepoint, a homeless charity of which William is patron, and Sentebale, an AIDS charity based in Lesotho, set up by Harry in memory of his mother.
- Jane, London
I am cringing already. This sounds ghastly.
- Squiz, Islington
There is a charge for tickets to the concert, yet no mention of the money going to charity. Surely the money is going to charity?
- Susie, London
This is wonderful news. The princess would have been so proud of 'her boys' Looking at the line up of performers I can still hear some of their CD's blaring out of the princess' apartment window as I worked away in the kitchen.
- Darren Mcgrady, Dallas, Texas. U.S.A.
I think having a concert to celebrate the death of Diana is a great idea.
- Cj Brown, London, UK
It is great that Princes William and Harry are doing something in honour of their Mother. I don't think it appropriate however that Camilla Parker-Bowles be there, that woman is a disgrace and should stay away.
- A Wyatt, Brentwood
