Michael Jackson's two eldest children have paid tribute to their father as they collected his lifetime achievement award at the Grammys.
"We are proud to be here to accept this award on behalf of our father, Michael Jackson," said Prince Michael, 12, who stood on stage along with some of his cousins.
"First of all we would like to thank God for watching over us for these past seven months and our Grandma and Grandpa for their love and support."
"We would also like to thank the fans - our father loved you so much because you were always there for him," he continued.
"Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity through all his hard work and dedication he has helped donate to many charities.
"Through all his songs his message was simple - love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world."
Before leaving the stage, Paris, 11, told the emotional audience: "Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was going to perform this year, but he couldn't perform last year.
"Thank you. We love you, Daddy."
The children appeared after a performance of Jackson's Earth Song which featured a 3D film the singer had put together to use in his comeback tour.
In a mix of the mystical and gimmicky, Michael Jackson posthumously paid tribute to both Mother Earth and 3-D video.
This big event arrived about two-thirds into CBS' three-hour live shindig from Los Angeles' Staples Centre.
It was introduced by Lionel Richie, who said the performance was meant by Jackson as a call to action against the destruction of Nature and animals by humans.
The performance began with footage of waterfalls and rain forests with Jackson heard declaring, "I respect the secrets and magic of Nature," as the song began its message of preserving the planet.
The lyrics were affecting enough: "Did you ever stop to notice all the blood we've shed before? Did you ever stop to notice this crying Earth, its weeping shores?"
But with the sight of a little girl blowing the seeds of a dandelion seemingly right into a viewer's living room, every viewer had to be captivated - at least, viewers with the 3-D glasses.
Viewers without glasses saw slightly offset red and greenish images. Not so captivating.
In turn, the background panoramic visuals were supplemented by onstage singers Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson to powerful effect - and, when captured at the proper angles, they stood in distinct 3-D relief against the film background.
Through it all, Jackson reigned in photos across the sprawling panorama.
As Richie explained in his introduction, the performance piece was produced as a key element of Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London in July 2009 - shows that never happened because of his June 25 death in Los Angeles.
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