A major concert is to be held at Althorp Park in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Spencer family has announced that it will be held on Saturday, June 27, four days before the Princess's birthday, when the estate opens for the first time for the public to see the island where she is buried.

Fifteen thousand tickets will go on sale - but not until after February 27, the day the names of the performing stars will be released.

The Princess had always been a fan of charity concerts and the music world in general, so it was thought this would be a fitting tribute to her, as well as a chance to raise more money for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Elton John sang a touching tribute at Diana's funeral

Elton John's special recording of 'Candle in the Wind', which he sang at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey, became an instant best-seller.

An Althorp spokeswoman, Shelley-Anne Claircourt, said the summer concert would be a mix of classical, pop and rock music to celebrate the life of Diana.

"We wanted to get it as close as we could to her brithday on July 1," said Ms Claircourt. "She loved music."

It was Diana's brother who came up with the idea.

"Originally it was the brainchild of Earl Spencer who some months ago decided he'd like to do a concert on the family estate and has spent several months working on it and inviting artistes to partake," said David Hartfield of IMG Entertainment, the company organising the event.

The island where the Princess is buried

Those attending will not have a preview of the lake island where Diana's body was taken after the funeral in Westminster Abbey.

However, there are still 14,500 tickets available to visit Althorp to see the lake and island, visit the new museum and the house. It will be the estate's first annual opening since the Princess's funeral.

Earlier this month, thousands of people deluged telephone ticket sales hotlines to buy tickets to visit Althorp.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©