Los Angeles – Adele won the top three Grammy awards on Sunday, taking home the statuettes for album, record and song of the year in a shock victory over Beyoncé.
Adele won all five Grammys for which she was nominated, including for her comeback album "25" and her single "Hello."
Beyoncé, who had gone into Sunday's awards show with a leading nine nominations for her "Lemonade" album, won just two.
"My queen and my idol is Queen B. I adore you," Adele said to Beyoncé as she accepted her award.
#GRAMMYs: Adele turns her Album of the Year speech into a tear-filled Beyonce tribute https://t.co/Y0jS3o4c6W pic.twitter.com/T5XDRk9X4K
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 13, 2017
"The 'Lemonade' album was so monumental," she added.
Beyoncé and Adele also had the most talked-about moments on a night marked by political statements, an emotional tribute to British pop star George Michael, and a rocking memorial to pioneering funk musician Prince.
In her first public appearance since her announcement 12 days ago that she is expecting twins, Beyoncé donned a sheer, glittering gold dress and halo to sing ballads "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" from her album "Lemonade."
Beyoncé performs at the 59th annual Grammy Awards Picture: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Moments later, Adele literally stopped the show after flubbing the start of a tribute to the late British pop star Michael.
"I'm sorry. I know it's live TV," she said, cursing, stopping her slow ballad version of Michael's "Fastlove" and asking to start again. "I can't mess this up for him (Michael)," she said.
Watch Adele restart her emotional George Michael tribute performance at the Grammys https://t.co/qpVcd5SPF3 pic.twitter.com/TLaNqNfRf0
— TIME (@TIME) February 13, 2017
Adele, 28, was competing head-on with Beyoncé, 35, the only other artist to be nominated this year for all three top awards – album, song and record of the year.
Chance the Rapper was named best new artist while Twenty One Pilots won the Grammy for best pop duo/group performance for "Stressed Out."
The other big Grammy winner was late British singer David Bowie, who won all five of the nominations for his final album "Blackstar," including best rock song.