Green Park was full of picnickers soaking up the late-afternoon sun and watching World Cup highlights on the big screen as we strolled towards the Palace.

Turning onto the Mall we joined the crowds making their way towards the Queen Victoria Memorial.

People milled around the palace gates enviously watching the lucky ticket holders being admitted to the palace gardens.

Even the youngest fans were caught up in the mood

With everyone in holiday mood, the feeling was relaxed, happy and expectant.

Our daughters, dressed in their Union Flag vests and patriotic glitter-wigs, were treated like celebrities as more and more passers-by asked for photos to be taken with them.

The area around the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of the palace had been turned into what seemed like a huge amphitheatre facing the palace, with TV screens either side of the gates.

After soaking up the atmosphere, we waited in line to take our seats in the North Stand.

Great roar

While the stand filled up, we ate our picnic and took in the excellent view of the palace and the crowds filling the piazza, although the "big" screen was disappointingly small from where we were sitting.

As the TV cameramen panned back and forth, the North Stand launched Mexican waves, greatly amusing a cheerful-looking David Dimbleby presenting from the studio overhead.

Only 12,000 lucky fans were able to attend

Then, accompanied by a great roar of approval, Michael Parkinson announced the arrival of the Royal party and the start of the concert.

After the short Walton Fanfare, the crowds quietened down as the orchestra and choir launched into the coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest.

Although technical problems were evident in the first few items, the crowd was attentive and appreciative, cheering each performer wildly.

The middle section of the Prom was slightly disappointing, with the transmissions from within the palace too intimate for outside audiences.

They felt overstaged within the boisterous celebratory feel of the concert, although Sir Thomas Allen's rendition of Largo al Factotum was great fun.

Tantalising glimpse

Following the ever-popular Royal Fireworks music, with the real fireworks seen on the screens and tantalisingly glimpsed in the distance behind the Palace, we were treated to two beautiful arias from Tosca, sung with passion as the last light faded from the clear skies over London.

With the Palace fa�ade illuminated in bright colours and searchlights circling overhead, we were all on our feet, the whole crowd waving flags madly, for the climactic rendition of Land of Hope and Glory.

There was real emotion as we all sang God Save the Queen, first to the orchestra, and then spontaneously, as the crowds rushed forward to see a relaxed and smiling Queen, accompanied by the principal performers, as she came to the palace gates.

Tired but exhilarated, we walked through St James's Park, stopping to look at the London Eye, a golden circle in the dark sky and to look back at the palace, bathed in majestic blue.

If this concert was anything to go by, then the combination of Music Live and the Party at the Palace on Monday promises to bring London to new heights.