Knowles won Grammys for the song of the year, best R&B female vocal and best R&B song – all for Single Ladies (aka Put A Ring On It) – best contemporary R&B album for I Am … Sasha Fierce, best pop vocal performance for Halo and best traditional R&B performance for At Last.

The 28-year-old performer told while on stage during the Los Angeles event “this has been such an amazing night for me and I’d like to thank the Grammys,”.

Beyoncé now boasts a total of 16 career Grammys, three of which were obtained during her stint which Destiny’s Child.

Singer Taylor Swift played the part of the runner of evening in terms of total prizes as she managed a tally of four Grammy following an impressive eight nominations.

The 20-year-old rising star of country-pop picked up two awards thanks to her second album – Fearless — country album of the year as well as album of the year.

Swift also scooped up the Grammy for the best country song for the track White Horse, which also won the artist the best female country vocal performance award.

Nominated for five gongs, Lady Gaga won the electronic/dance album award for The Fame as well as the recording prize for Poker Face.

Other notable winners were Kings of Leon which picked up awards for album of the year for Use Somebody, plus trophies best rock song and for best rock group performance.

The Black Eyed Peas and the rapper Jay-Z — who is Beyoncé’s husband – each picked up three trophies.

The ceremony had two long awaited events; Lady Gaga’s duet with legendary singer Elton John as well as the appearance of who two of Michael Jackson’s children, Paris and Prince Michael.

The kids emerged following a rendition of their father’s Earth Song, which was interpreted by Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Usher, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.