1825 GMT: After torrential rain for Sunday's Diamond Jubilee river pageant in London, it appears that tonight's revellers are in luck. The sun is appearing from behind the clouds and umbrellas have been discarded -- for now.

Huge queues are snaking around Buckingham Palace, reports AFP's Katy Lee, while thousands more are filling The Mall -- the road leading up the the queen's abode, which is lined with huge Union Jack flags and giant screens on which the show will be broadcast.

WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee concert in London on the third day of celebrations marking the British monarch's 60 years on the throne.

Thousands of people are gathered outside Buckingham Palace for the event, which will feature performances from international superstars including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Kylie Minogue, with music spanning every decade of the queen's reign.

Earlier the palace announced that her husband, Prince Philip, had been hospitalised with a bladder infection and would be unable to attend. But the show goes on without him, ending with the lighting of more than 4,000 beacons across Britain and the Commonwealth.