THOUSANDS of people attended a picnic in the Queen’s back garden ahead of last night’s eagerly awaited diamond jubilee concert. Stuart Minting joined the revellers at Buckingham Palace.

AN Army captain from Catterick Garrison joined four knights, a dame and a pop princess in honouring the Queen at the Buckingham Palace diamond jubilee concert last night.

Captain Rebecca Marshall performed a solo during the public premiere of Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s jubilee tribute single before 20,000 spectators outside the Palace.

Her performance was just one of many highlights of the concert, which also included Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Kylie Minogue.

Capt Marshall, one of 13 members of the Garrison’s WAGS Military Wives Choir, said she was nervous, but managed to stay calm before performing to an audience of an estimated 45 million around the world.

Mingling with the stars before the show, Wags spokeswoman Hannah Illingworth said: “The atmosphere is absolutely immense. It’s going to be incredible performing on that huge stage. The Wags really have come a long way in a short time.”

Mrs Illingworth, whose husband Captain Darren Illingworth goes to Afghanistan in July, added: “Meeting Andrew Lloyd Webber was an absolute delight, he was so complimentary.”

Prince Edward mingled in the Buckingham Palace garden with guests before the show.

He appeared in a jocular mood, saying: “I have no idea whatsoever what is going on.

I only know one of the acts and that’s because I saw them warming up. But Tom Jones should be okay.”

Bethany Renwick, 16, of South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, said she was delighted to be able to watch the show from near the front, which gave her a spectacular view of the concert.

The North Durham Academy pupil, who won tickets to the event, said she was particularly excited about seeing Elton John and Jessie J.

Gari Finch, of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, was attending the event with his wife, Sandy.

The Cleveland Mountain Rescue volunteer said: “With these massive crowds, it’s a bit of a far cry from Great Ayton. But it’s an experience of a lifetime. It’s unbelieveable to see the amount of people here.”

Carol and Peter Halliday, of South Shields, South Tyneside, were among the picnickers who took their places on the lawn.

The couple said the Heston Blumenthal inspired picnic in the Palace garden was an unexpected treat.

Like many others, they spread a blanket on the ground to sit on and had to perform a double-take when writer Richard Curtis – responsible for such hits as Four Weddings And A Funeral and Love Actually – took his place next to them.

Mrs Halliday said: “I just thought we were getting tickets for the concert and here we are sat next to Richard Curtis in the Palace gardens. We will never see this in our lifetime again.”