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It was the night that Prince William and Prince Harry publicly and triumphantly reclaimed their mother.

Prince Harry lightens the mood: 'We'll leave the jokes to the funny people - and Ricky Gervais'

Before a global TV audience of millions and 63,000 cheering, dancing fans packed into Wembley Stadium, they delivered what they had most wanted - a night of "energy and fun" to remember the joie de vivre of Diana, Princess of Wales.

"This event is about all that our mother loved in life," Prince William told the crowd. "Her music, her dancing, her charities and her family and friends".

They have often said she would have been "the first up out of her seat and dancing". And they were certainly rocking in the stands to match her today, young and old - and in the royal box too where the Princes watched the concert with 200 of their friends and guests.

They included Kate Middleton, 25, Prince William's former girlfriend, whose presence in the royal box, along with her sister Pippa and parents Carole and Michael, did little to dampen speculation she and the Prince may be an item again.

It was the first time they had been seen in public since news of their split broke - albeit he was seated next to one of his best friends Thomas van Straubenzee and she was some three rows behind him.

The status of Prince Harry's relationship with Chelsy Davy, 21, was far less ambiguous as they exchanged a kiss, and danced together to Nelly Furtado.

This was a celebration on the day that would have been their mother's 46th birthday. Both princes have made known their hurt at the negative attacks on her since she became public property upon her death 10 years ago.

Unable to defend herself, the very clear message today was that they would do it for her.

In the wake of the London and Glasgow terror attacks, security was extremely tight with 450 police on duty around the huge complex, and with each ticket holder being frisked by hand and every single bag examined.

Not all managed to get through the turnstiles in time and as Sir Elton John opened with Your Song there were still many empty seats.Sir Elton was followed by the two princes.

"Hello Wembley" bellowed Prince Harry. Both initially looked a little nervous and spoke from note cards hidden in the palm of one hand.

But Prince Harry braved one joke. "When William and I first had the idea we forgot we would end up standing here desperately trying to think of something funny to say. We'll leave that to the funny people - and Ricky Gervais".

On a more serious note, he delivered a special message to those in his Household Cavlary squadron currently serving in Iraq, and who were able to listen to a live radio simulcast of the concert through British Forces Broadcasting Services.

"I wish I was there with you. I'm sorry I can't be. But to all of those on operations at the moment, we'd both like to say - stay safe."

This was an occasion for the "younger royals" - and senior members of the Royal Family gave it a wide berth. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie bopped enthusiastically to Lily Allen as Prince William's personal standard fluttered above the vast stadium.

Miss Middleton was up on her feet dancing and chatting animatedly with Zara Phillips and her rugby-player boyfriend Mike Tindall.The Princess's family were present too - her sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, and her brother Earl Spencer.

On stage it was as an eclectic mix as in the seats. Those who had bought the £45-tickets spanned the generations to watch rappers, and rockers, and ballet dancers.

The American audience was well catered for with former President Bill Clinton paying personal tribute on video, and on stage presenters including the actors Dennis Hopper and Kiefer Sutherland.

David Beckham, watching the concert from his own personal box at Wembley appeared as a surprise presenter too introducing Take That, of whom the Princess was a great fan.

Others of her personal favourites to perform included the Eighties supergroup Duran Duran, who sang Rio, after hearing she loved to dance to it.

"I can only imagine the emotions that there would be putting on this in remembrance," said the band's John Taylor of the princes.

Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Status Quo, who played in front of the Princess when they opened the Live Aid concert in 1985, Rod Stewart, and Sir Tom Jones also all performed after personal requests from the princes.

But her son's selected their favourites too - Lily Allen, P Diddy, Pharrell Williams, The Feeling, Orson, the Black Eyed Peas's Fergie, James Morrison, Joss Stone, Kanye West, Nelly Furtado and Natasha Bedingfield were all on the bill.

Inspired by the Princess's love of dancing and shows, there were performances by the English National Ballet, as well as a medley of musicals created by Lord Lloyd Webber, which include performances by US pop singer Anastacia, Ally McBeal star Josh Groban,

Italian opera superstar Andrea Bocelli, musical star and Lord Lloyd Webber's ex-wife Sarah Brightman, US entertainer Donny Osmond, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here's Jason Donovan and Lee Mead, winner of the BBC TV show Any Dream Will Do.