Edinburgh welcome for Beyonce

Pop diva Beyonce brought Edinburgh to a halt today as she prepared for the MTV Music Awards.

More than 800 fans crowded around the city’s plush Balmoral Hotel to catch a glimpse of the star.

And when she emerged, accompanied by her 25-stone minder Shorty, to be ferried to final rehearsals for tonight’s show, it literally stopped the traffic.

Her appearance caused a lengthy tailback around Prince’s Street as fans thronged around and drivers stopped their cars in the middle of the road.

Police have been drafted in and barriers erected to control the crowds desperate for a sight of Beyonce.

Around the corner at the Scotsman Hotel, where Justin Timberlake has booked a suite, a crowd of about 100 fans stood outside hoping to spot him.

Beyonce, 22, had a similar effect last night when she went on a private shopping trip at the city’s Harvey Nichols store.

The former Destiny’s Child star spent more than two hours in the department store, stocking up on sunglasses, designer clothes, and La Perla underwear.

In the street outside, drivers stopped their cars and clambered on to the roofs in an attempt to catch a brief glimpse of her.

She emerged followed by members of her entourage laden with carrier bags.

Beyonce’s performance tonight promises to be one of the highlights of the awards, which are being broadcast live to a world-wide audience of up to one billion people.

Other stars on the bill include Kylie Minogue, Pink, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott and The Darkness.

Christina Aguilera is hosting the event, aided by action star Vin Diesel.