UK celebrates Queen's platinum Jubilee with star-studded concert

Britain went into full celebration mode Saturday to honour Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, as it staged a spectacular

The concert, the climax of the third day of public events to mark the 96-year-old monarch's record-breaking Platinum Jubilee

saw 22,000 ticket-holders pack a purpose-built 360-degree stage outside the queen's central London residence.

Tens of thousands more thronged the city centre while millions watched on television as rockers Queen + Adam Lambert

opened the star-studded show with renditions of "We Will Rock You", "Don't Stop Me Now" and "We Are The Champions".

playing "God Save the Queen" on the roof of Buckingham Palace.

As Saturday's concert started, the monarch made a surprise on-screen appearance,

starring in a comedic pre-recorded scene taking tea with Britain's beloved children's book and film character Paddington Bear.

That's very kind," the queen replied, before the pair began to tap out the drum beat to "We Will Rock You" on their tea saucers with silver spoons.