It was a splendid concert by any standards. At times the atmosphere was electric, despite the seating arrangements which limited numbers in the centre of the arena.

Of the two Princes, William looked trim and on form after his night at Clarence House with Kate Middleton. Harry, though, seemed awkward and subdued for once, and he had clearly put on weight. This could be explained by the news that he’s giving up smoking — again. At times he looked to be gasping for a fag. Maybe he could have done with a Mahiki menu too.

The smoking ban — it’s now prohibited in enclosed public places across the country — caused more problems in the dressing rooms. Lily Allen was said to have walked out at 6pm when told to stop lighting up. Such temperament! Could it have contributed to the missing finale?

There was also a hitch at the end when the planned mass finale of all the artistes was called off because of “technical difficulties”. Elton John did a few numbers, after a lacklustre “comedy” routine by Ricky Gervais of The Office. Then the whole event petered out with a video of Nelson Mandela saying nothing particularly new.

Nevertheless, there were seven hours of excellent entertainment before the anticlimax, with cheery Fearne Cotton brightening up the interludes of the BBC transmission with interviews and to-camera improvisations.

I spotted Mike Tindall rocking along with Zara Philips in one arm and an unknown female in the other. Diana’s sister, Sarah, and brother Charles were also singing along heartily to the older numbers.

All in all an impressive day considering the whole nation was on massive terrorist alert.

Well done William and Harry.