A star-studded concert in tribute to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee has been overshadowed by news that the Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital with a bladder infection.

Take That singer Robbie Williams opened the show outside Buckingham Palace by declaring to thousands of fans: "Let me entertain you."

But Prince Philip missed the night of music and was said to be "disappointed" at not being able to attend the show featuring some of the biggest names in pop.

Sir Paul McCartney, who was closing the show with three songs, wished the Duke well, saying: "I think, you know, we all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hear he's not too bad."

Philip is being treated at the Edward VII Hospital in central London and will be kept in for observation for a few days, Buckingham Palace has said.

Yesterday he joined his family on the Royal Barge during the Diamond Jubilee pageant, standing for much of the day, and he did not look to be in discomfort.

Williams was the first act on a bill studded with big names who all answered the call to perform for the Queen.

She was missing from the royal box at the beginning but was expected to take her seat later, though many members of her family were already watching the show.

The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were all there for a musical night in honour of the Queen.

Williams was not only playing to the invited audience of 18,000, many of whom had won their seats through a ballot, but also to tens of thousands of people watching in the Mall.

The Queen is expected to take her seat at 9pm, something which was planned before the announcement of Philip's illness.

Crowds on the Mall watch Robbie Williams performing on big screens outside Buckingham Palace during the Jubilee concert

As Williams came on stage their were huge cheers from the crowds who had been patiently waiting.

The Take That star was joined on stage by the Corps of Drums of the Massed Bands of the Household Division who beat out a rhythm along to the singer's tune.

The first host of the evening was Rob Brydon, who got a laugh from the audience when he said: "Sixty years of reign. sounds like a Welsh summer."

He turned on the royals massed in their box saying: "I'm delighted to say we have the royal family joining us this evening over, in the royal box."

Charles and the Duke of York acknowledged the comment by waving union flags then the comic said: "Now those are good seats, they are very good seats, I hope you didn't use a tout - because that's just spoiling it for the rest of us."

The younger royal men wore jackets and shirts but no ties and the Earl of Wessex was spotted getting a closer look at events by using a pair of binoculars.