17 million tune in for Diamond Jubilee Concert

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations attracted one of the biggest TV audiences in recent years, figures today revealed.

The number of viewers over the four-day extravanganza peaked at 17 million during the Jubilee Concert.

The high point came as Prince Charles addressed the 20,000-strong crowd.

Another 10 million viewers tuned in to watch The Queen address the nation last night, in which she thanked the public for organising and taking part in events to celebrate her 60 years on the throne.

Today's figures reveal the appetite of the public for the royal celebrations, which continued today as the Queen met Commonwealth leaders at a lunch in Marlborough House on Pall Mall.

The Queen's husband Prince Philip had been due to be at her side but was continuing his recovery from a bladder infection in hospital.

Members of the Royal Family said the 90-year-old was "feeling better".

In a broadcast message, aired on BBC and ITV, she said: "The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together."

The Queen started her celebrations at the Epsom Derby on Saturday.

More than one million people attended the Pageant on the River Thames, while 12 million viewers tuned in to watch it on TV.

Viewing figures for the jubilee concert marked the biggest television audience since Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on April 29 last year, which saw 26m tune in.

The concert also averaged 2.5m more viewers than the Golden Jubilee event, which drew 12.2m in 2002.

By Simon Stone