this is bbc news, the headlines: the princess of wales apologises for confusion over a family photo — saying, like many amateur photographers, she "occasionally experiments with editing." as palestinians mark the beginning of ramadan — a month of fasting — un officials fear gaza is on the brink of famine. the former conservative party chairman, lee anderson has defected to the populist party, reform uk — to become theirfirst mp. the first video of britain's new laser weapon with the ability to shoot down drones, has been released by the ministry of defence. returning to our top story now —

the princess of wales has acknowledged editing a family photograph that was issued by kensington palace on sunday. leading news agencies withdrew the photograph because of concerns it could have been digitally manipulated. in the last few minutes we have her kensington palace will not be releasing the original photographs of the princess of wales and her three children, only the one that has already been published. let's speak to royal commentator katie nicholl. what should have been a reassuring episode has turned into a bit of a mess, hasn't it? it episode has turned into a bit of a mess, hasn't it?— episode has turned into a bit of a mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant _ mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant to _ mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant to be _ mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant to be the _ mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant to be the sort - mess, hasn't it? it has, as you say, this was meant to be the sort of. this was meant to be the sort of photographs that reassure the nation, i would say actually the world, because there has been widespread concern for the princess of wales, she hasn't been seen since christmas day, a patch was taken last week that sent the rumour mill into absolute overdrive on the

internet, with frankly wild conspiracy theories about her whereabouts, about her recovery, so i think when this image dropped on mothering sunday, it was really designed to sort of, i think, reassure the public, and on first glance it looked exactly that, lovely, charming, intimate, iwould very informal portrait, we understand it was taken last week in windsor by the prince of wales, an amateur photographer. now we have clarification that numerous agencies took this photograph of their sites, it was essentially killed because of alleged digital manipulation, which is led to the princess of wales coming out with and very unusual statement on twitter is apologising saying that she does experiment with some editing. the guidance we had from kensington palace say these are minor adjustments. from kensington palace say these are minoradjustments. i from kensington palace say these are minor adjustments. i think that is important to bear in mind in all of this. i'm not sure there are many people out there that don't put photographs online are on social

media now that haven't been digitally enhanced in some way. [30 digitally enhanced in some way. do you think the apology from the princess of wales will calm things down? will everyone move on, or do you think there's more to it?- you think there's more to it? having alanced at you think there's more to it? having glanced at the _ you think there's more to it? having glanced at the internet _ you think there's more to it? having glanced at the internet and - you think there's more to it? having glanced at the internet and the - glanced at the internet and the rumours, as i'm sure you have as well, i suspect it won't, down, because these wild rumours and conspiracy theories seem to have a life of their own, but i don't see how they can do much more. kensington palace have been under enormous pressure in the last 2a hours to offer an explanation as to these photographs, and some of the discrepancies within the image. i don't think the princess can do any more, i think she has been pretty transparent and clear, and how many of us really post images on social media, and her support over by millions, without giving a bit of a retouch? it was clumsily done, she says, she is an amateur at this, and what i think was designed to be an informal shot of a family on mothering sunday has backfired on her quite badly at a time when she probably needs peace and quiet. the

recovery period is always handled very differently from the king's health issues, so how, after this episode, do you think kate will revisit how she is handling the pressure of the media during the recovery, or her advisers will change what they are doing, or will they stick with the same plan of her staying out of the limelight entirely? i staying out of the limelight entirel ? ~ , staying out of the limelight entirel ? ~' , ., entirely? i think it will be a case of keeping _ entirely? i think it will be a case of keeping out _ entirely? i think it will be a case of keeping out of _ entirely? i think it will be a case of keeping out of the _ entirely? i think it will be a case of keeping out of the limelight l of keeping out of the limelight until she is ready to come back to work, and when it is it will be on her terms. work, and when it is it will be on herterms. d0 work, and when it is it will be on her term-— work, and when it is it will be on her terms. i. ~ , , her terms. do you think this episode will have eroded _ her terms. do you think this episode will have eroded the _ her terms. do you think this episode will have eroded the trust _ her terms. do you think this episode will have eroded the trust that - will have eroded the trust that there is between the public and the royal family as to what they are saying? i royal family as to what they are sa in: ? ., , ., royal family as to what they are sa inc? ., ,, royal family as to what they are sa in? ., ,, ~ saying? i hope not, because i think william and — saying? i hope not, because i think william and kate _ saying? i hope not, because i think william and kate have _ saying? i hope not, because i think william and kate have gone - saying? i hope not, because i think william and kate have gone to - saying? i hope not, because i thinkl william and kate have gone to great lengths to try and improve that relationship between them and the media. when you look at the social channels, they try their hardest to be pretty open and transparent and honest, so i hope not, because i think that can be very detrimental indeed. ., ~ think that can be very detrimental indeed. ., ,, , ., ., think that can be very detrimental indeed. . ~' i., ., ., think that can be very detrimental

indeed. ., ,, i. ., ., , more on the middle east now, where palestinians have begun marking ramadan — the islamic month of fasting — while fierce battles continue between israeli forces and hamas fighters in gaza. to get more on the significance of ramadan, i'm nowjoined by imam ajmal masroor. thank you for your time. tell us a bit about how it is being approached at the moment, particularly with the gaza situation. irate at the moment, particularly with the gaza situation.— gaza situation. we are fasting, it's our first day _ gaza situation. we are fasting, it's our first day of— gaza situation. we are fasting, it's our first day of ramadan, - gaza situation. we are fasting, it's our first day of ramadan, so - gaza situation. we are fasting, it's| our first day of ramadan, so happy ramadan to everyone who is listening to your programme, and prayers to everyone in all parts of the world. why are we fast in the month of ramadan in the uk, in the safety of our own homes, or many countries perhaps, what we are experiencing is unprecedented. such a large scale of people fasting on the open air. i have a family friend who called me

yesterday to say his sister is sharing one toilet between 100 families. they have no adequate food to break their fast, families. they have no adequate food to break theirfast, nor do families. they have no adequate food to break their fast, nor do they have enough food to start their fast. many of their children are on the brink of starvation. famine is looming, disaster upon disaster, at a time that is supposed to be a time of calm, peace, a time of tranquillity and spirituality. ramadan is all about finding inner peace and the outer piece, and there is no peace to be seen in the holy land, and that's the tragedy that we will forever remember. irate land, and that's the tragedy that we will forever remember.— land, and that's the tragedy that we will forever remember. we are going to look at some _ will forever remember. we are going to look at some pictures _ will forever remember. we are going to look at some pictures now - will forever remember. we are going to look at some pictures now there i to look at some pictures now there are common in the last couple of days or so of aid being dropped in by air, and efforts to try and build a sort of see corridor as well, those of the parishes there coming in with the aid being parachuted. when you see these, what is it make you think about the situation in gaza, and how much the humanitarian issues are really being addressed by the international community? this is

too little too — the international community? this is too little too late, _ the international community? this is too little too late, in _ the international community? this is too little too late, in our— the international community? this is too little too late, in our view. - too little too late, in our view. 150 days of bombardment, misery on the majority of the palestinian people, who are innocent, who have done nothing wrong to deserve this, especially children and women, and we are hoping and praying on this blessed month of ramadan there would be a ceasefire, and there will be an international outcry, but it doesn't look like international community is really interested in bringing an end to this awful plight, and it certainly doesn't look like there's an interest on the israeli government to do anything that would help the palestinians find some humanity, some solace and comfort in the month of ramadan after they have lost more than 30,000 people, especially children and women. so, this aid is helping a little, but in fact it's not even a drop in the ocean. , ., fact it's not even a drop in the ocean. ., _ fact it's not even a drop in the ocean. ., , ., ocean. israel obviously argues that there are allowing _ ocean. israel obviously argues that there are allowing aid _ ocean. israel obviously argues that there are allowing aid in, - ocean. israel obviously argues that there are allowing aid in, and - ocean. israel obviously argues that| there are allowing aid in, and some of it is being taken by hamas

fighters. we have the figure of 23 children have now died of malnutrition. the situation clearly is serious. we can see people diving into the sea to collect some of the aid that has ended up not landing on the land were of the sea off the coast of gaza. to bring you back to the situation with the al—aqsa mosque and what is going on there, can you tell us the significance of what is going on there and why is period for muslims there now? before i answer that, let me go back to the original point you raise, if you imagine you're in a terrible tragedy famine struck, bombs falling in every direction, and someone from the sky was to throw scraps of food at you, i would feel humiliated. i would feel dehumanised. i would feel humanity don't care any more, and thatis humanity don't care any more, and that is how i feel for the palestinians. secondly, when the israeli government says it is

allowing aid, we know it is not. in no shape orform allowing aid, we know it is not. in no shape or form as it adequate. if there is a group on the ground, saying it's nowhere near enough. we beg, please open up the doors. allow the palestinians to fast in the months of ramadan and lets have an immediate ceasefire. the significance of al—aqsa mosque is very important. it was the first direction of prayer for muslims. it is one of the three holy sites of islam. it is known as a blessing line, it is connected with the profits of the past, all the profits of the past included mohammed, one fraternity of belief, the totality of god's message. the holy land

should always be holy. it is the people who sign up for holy and peaceful coexistence. it plays an significant role in the hearts and minds of those limbs locally and globally. it is very sad as palestinians are not allowed and are prevented from praying in al—aqsa mosque. would you believe, al—aqsa mosque. would you believe, al—aqsa mosque would not have even an inch available to people to pray in the month of ramadan, now not even one force of the mosque is full of people, because the israeli government has put unnecessary restrictions, creating further tension within the palestinian citizens of israel to go in pray in the place that is supposed to be a holy place, shared between all three people. holy place, shared between all three --eole. ., ~' ,, holy place, shared between all three --eole. ., ~ ., holy place, shared between all three --eole. ., ,, ., ., ,, holy place, shared between all three --eole. ., ~ ., ., ,, ., , the first video of britain's new laser weapon with the ability to shoot down drones, has been released by the ministry of defence. the dragon fire laser has been described as cutting—edge technology — with the potential to revolutionise warfare.

0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale has been meeting some of the people behind its development. this is what's been happening in the red sea. british and us warships shooting down cheap houthi drones to protect commercial shipping, with missiles costing in excess of £1 million each. but this could be the future. the first video of britain's first laser weapon being tested in scotland. a silent, less expensive killer. the beam filmed through a special lens. in reality, it's invisible to the naked eye. this is where the high energy laser comes out of. out of there? out of this window here. a number of tens of kilowatts is coming out of this aperture here. so, that's a number of beamlets that are combined to make sure that we can get that laser onto target. dragon fire has been developed in the uk at a cost of more than £100 million, but it will give the military more bang for its buck.

what this could bring is not having to use that very expensive missile for these cheap threats coming towards you. you know, they're staying, ultimately firing it costs you maybe £10 per shot as opposed to a lot of pounds per missile. this is what the laser can do, using energy rather than firing a projectile. we've got some steel plates here of different thicknesses that we've been blasting. it's not only taken out static targets, but also drones in mid—flight. it can hit an object the size of a pound coin from more than a kilometre away. the most important thing, lots of people talk about the power of lasers, but to take out an asset like this, you don't really need a great deal of power. what you need to do is actually have the precise pinpoint accuracy of the laser beam on the target itself. in reality, it's yet to be fitted to a warship. this is a simulation, but this moment could be just several years away. and unlike a conventional weapon, the lasers power can

be turned up or down, from destroying a target to simply dazzling it. but it has its limitations, too. the downsides are there. it's a relatively short range system, because you need to be able to see the target and you are fighting against the atmosphere that is trying to distort the beam. and then the big advantages of it? big advantage, you canjust keep firing it every day and don't need to replenish that stockpile. directed energy weapons are the next evolution of warfare. not yet star wars, but another step from science fiction becoming fact. jonathan beale, bbc news, porton down. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

ringing practice at ripon cathedral. you might not expect to see a child holding the ropes, but 13—year—old alice barrett is a fully fledged member of the team. it’s alice barrett is a fully fledged member of the team. it's definitely more than just _ member of the team. it's definitely more than just pulling _ member of the team. it's definitely more than just pulling a _ member of the team. it's definitely more than just pulling a rope, - member of the team. it's definitely| more than just pulling a rope, which is what most people think. it's much more complex, both physically and mentally. she more complex, both physically and mentall . . ., , more complex, both physically and mentall . ,, . , more complex, both physically and mentall. ,, . , , mentally. she has recently become one of the youngest _ mentally. she has recently become one of the youngest qualified - one of the youngest qualified ringers in yorkshire, having spent the last three years in training. i'm absolutely really proud of it. it's i'm absolutely really proud of it. it's taken — i'm absolutely really proud of it. it's taken a _ i'm absolutely really proud of it. it's taken a long time for her to -et it's taken a long time for her to get from — it's taken a long time for her to get from being a very small child to where _ get from being a very small child to where she — get from being a very small child to where she is now. a get from being a very small child to where she is now.— get from being a very small child to where she is now. a ma'estic sound created by a — where she is now. a ma'estic sound created by a skilled _ where she is now. a majestic sound created by a skilled team, - where she is now. a majestic sound created by a skilled team, it - where she is now. a majestic sound created by a skilled team, it takes i created by a skilled team, it takes strong arms to handle the bells, and a certain height. standing on the box helps.

the man at the centre of one of the largest fishing rings has pleaded guilty to the murder of girl. he has admitted hundred and 85 charges involving more than 60 victims. cat fishing is one of the ways of the remote she could victims. today he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. he has admitted 185 charges involving more than 60 victims. there has been a reporting restriction on this case it was lifted this morning. what we know about the victims, it was

spread across the world and around the uk, some of them as far away as new zealand, and america. all of this came to light back in 2018, when police in scotland contacted the police service in northern ireland about the case of a 12—year—old girl who had been befriended by mccartney on social media. she had sent him a naked image, and he told that if she didn't do what he wanted he would it to the internet. a search of his home took place, devices were seized, and thousands of images of young girls in various states of dress and undress were then found. all these offences took place within a six year period between 2013 and 2019, and alexander mccartney has been remanded in prison since 2019. thejudge said today been remanded in prison since 2019. the judge said today this would be a

complex sentencing exercise, but said he would sentence him. esther ghey met the mother of one of her daughter's killers. i esther ghey met the mother of one of her daughter's killers.— her daughter's killers. i know all of these emotions _ her daughter's killers. i know all of these emotions and _ her daughter's killers. i know all of these emotions and feelings, | her daughter's killers. i know all - of these emotions and feelings, like hate, it's only going to impact me. i genuinely don't feel any of those toward scarlet�*s parents, and i actually don't feel that toward scarlet either.— scarlet either. esther ghey, speaking — scarlet either. esther ghey, speaking about _ scarlet either. esther ghey, speaking about one - scarlet either. esther ghey, speaking about one of - scarlet either. esther ghey, speaking about one of the l scarlet either. esther ghey, - speaking about one of the teenagers that medical daughter.

just over a year later, esther has meet treatment metjenkinson's mother. you instigated that meeting. why did you want to meet? the crime has been committed _ why did you want to meet? the crime has been committed has _ why did you want to meet? the crime has been committed has impacted - why did you want to meet? the crime has been committed has impacted so | has been committed has impacted so many other people, and obviously what they have gone through is terrible as well. they've lost a child and having only lost a child but also they have to live with what has happened now the rest of their lives. both of us are mothers who are trying to navigate something that nobody should ever have gone through, and i think for that kind of feel a bit of a connection to her as well. ., . , of feel a bit of a connection to her as well. ., ., , of feel a bit of a connection to her as well— lti of feel a bit of a connection to her- as well-— it was as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional. as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional- we _ as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional. we had _ as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional. we had a _ as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional. we had a few— as well. how was the meeting? it was emotional. we had a few very - emotional. we had a few very personal things we spoke about, she was very open with me, she was so respectful, as well. i think that

her coming to see me shows a great deal of bravery on her part as well. since her daughter's death, esther ghey has been campaigning for better online safety for children and for mindfulness to be taught to young people in schools. you talk about choosing to make something positive out of the most terrific thing that could possibly happen. if you are able to cooperate or work in some way with scarletjenkinson's mum, how much do you think you might be able to achieve? i imagine that might be quite a powerful combination.— might be quite a powerful combination. ~ ., ~ ., ., combination. working together, in a very private — combination. working together, in a very private way. — combination. working together, in a very private way, there _ combination. working together, in a very private way, there is _ combination. working together, in a very private way, there is good - combination. working together, in a very private way, there is good out i very private way, there is good out there, and i think the level of support we have received across the uk, and just the kindness we receive from people as well as scarlet�*s family as well, just shows there is that hope of unity and people to be better to one another as well.

senior royals are gathering in central london for the annual commonwealth day service at westminster abbey. a pre—recorded message from the king will be played during the service, with the event marking the seventy— fifth anniversary of the association. this they will also be keen that the day is not overshadowed by the princess of wales's mother's day photograph. it is tricky, isn't it? yes, it is really big day in the royal calendar, i'm sure buckingham palace would have been delighted with the headline is leading the bulletins on the commonwealth service, but of course they are not. they are leading on this altered picture which in the last couple of hours, kathryn, the princess of wales, has admitted altering, and thatis wales, has admitted altering, and that is what caused the confusion over the last 2a are so—so. this is

a big deal in the royal calendar, in the next couple of hours we are expecting the senior members of the royalfamily to expecting the senior members of the royal family to arrive here, the annual celebration of commonwealth, the 56 family of nations who send representatives to westminster abbey once a year, that there is today. what is the commonwealth, ? it is about celebrating links and highlighting impressive individuals who are doing amazing things and some of the 56 countries. we have one of those with us today. thank you for talking to us, you are the commonwealth young person of the year, and so on a couple of hours you are going to be leading the way in carrying the commonwealth flag into westminster abbey. thank you for having me, i'm super excited about that. it for having me, i'm super excited about that-— about that. it a little bit chillier here than in — about that. it a little bit chillier here than in trinidad, - about that. it a little bit chillier here than in trinidad, where i about that. it a little bit chillier. here than in trinidad, where you about that. it a little bit chillier- here than in trinidad, where you are from! why have you been named the

young commonwealth person of the year? i young commonwealth person of the ear? , ., young commonwealth person of the ear? , . . young commonwealth person of the ear? ., ., ., ., ., year? i started an organisation, a friends network _ year? i started an organisation, a friends network in _ year? i started an organisation, a friends network in my _ year? i started an organisation, a friends network in my country, i friends network in my country, started it when i was 12 years old, it started as a unit of my aunt's organisation, but we have been able to grow over the years and become an independent organisation, focusing on autism at home, and we've been given a grant from the queen's commonwealth trust to start her centre. i named it after my brother, rowle. ., , ., centre. i named it after my brother, rowle. ., , ., , centre. i named it after my brother, rowle. ., , . , rowle. can you started this when you are about 12 — rowle. can you started this when you are about 12 years _ rowle. can you started this when you are about 12 years old. _ rowle. can you started this when you are about 12 years old. that - rowle. can you started this when you are about 12 years old. that is - are about 12 years old. that is correct. are about 12 years old. that is correct- its — are about 12 years old. that is correct. it's so, you have - are about 12 years old. that is i correct. it's so, you have around are about 12 years old. that is - correct. it's so, you have around a thousand people _ correct. it's so, you have around a thousand people with _ correct. it's so, you have around a thousand people with autism, - correct. it's so, you have around a thousand people with autism, a i thousand people with autism, a centre where they can go that helps them with their needs. yes. centre where they can go that helps them with their needs.—

them with their needs. yes, it is an autism centre _ them with their needs. yes, it is an autism centre catering _ them with their needs. yes, it is an autism centre catering to _ them with their needs. yes, it is an autism centre catering to children | autism centre catering to children with special needs. we offer a wide range of services and therapies, including speech development and occupational therapy. white not what has been part of this, have you sharing it with people doing other things? yes, and i'm really grateful for the opportunity. i get to learn, and we all come together and spread the information for other young people, and use the information to create a change and post impacts on other countries.— other countries. what has the commonwealth _ other countries. what has the commonwealth meant - other countries. what has the commonwealth meant to - other countries. what has the | commonwealth meant to you? other countries. what has the - commonwealth meant to you? the commonwealth meant to you? tue: commonwealth meant to you? tte: commonwealth has commonwealth meant to you? t"te: commonwealth has been amazing, really truly grateful, it's a really important role they played in my life, especially as ijust got named that in september last year, my life has changed a bit in the last few

months, they involved me in a lot of different things, and sessions here in london, it's been remarkable. share in london, it's been remarkable. are ou in london, it's been remarkable. are you feeling a little nervous about being the flag bearer here?! i'm nervous, but excited at the same time. brilliant, thanks for talking to us. quite a big moment there, the service due to get under way at 3pm. before we go, bitter reaction from the home secretary, james cleverly, who has said that the ederson has made a real mistakejoining reform uk. let's have a listen to what james cleverly had to say. he is someone l _ james cleverly had to say. he is someone i have _ james cleverly had to say. he is someone i have worked - james cleverly had to say. he is someone i have worked with, i l james cleverly had to say. he: 3 someone i have worked with, i like him personally, ithink someone i have worked with, i like him personally, i think he has made a real mistake, because as he is said in his own words, reform is not the answer, and a vote for reform will only let in a labour

government. so, i know the prime minister is working to retain the seats that we won at the 2019 general election by helping with the economy, bringing down inflation, bring it down to around 4%, tackling crime, the issue that voters in the uk want, and it is easy to shout from the sidelines, that's what reform do, sadly that's also what the labour party are doing. what we're is actually delivering a government for the people. that was the home secretary, _ government for the people. that was the home secretary, james - government for the people. that was the home secretary, james cleverly, | the home secretary, james cleverly, reacting to the news that lee anderson has defected to the reform uk party, he was a former conservative party chairman and mr cleverley, there, saying, i like and personally but i think he has made a real mistake. stay with us here on bbc news, plenty more on the website any time. bye for now.

rain at times, it is going to start to feel milder. 0n the earlier satellite picture you can see the extent of the cloud, it produces some rain and drizzle in places, a few bright eclipses particular pot south—west england and wales, one or two brighter spells elsewhere, so it rain pushing across the western side of scotland. exposed to the prison or to scotland, temperatures are only 5 or 6 or 7 degrees, the highest in the south up to around 12. this evening and tonight we will keep a lot of cloud, mist or malcolm places, a few clear spells, but outbreaks of rain swinging from the west across northern ireland and wales, the south—west of england, it's going to be in the south of

scotland by the end of the night. it will turn chilly to start tuesday morning, but you can see this frontal system working in from the west, various pulses of moisture, pulses of rain running along this frontal system. pulses of rain running along this frontalsystem. here pulses of rain running along this frontal system. here is the first on pushing its ready switch as you go through the day on tuesday, pretty wet across parts of england and wales, getting into scotland as well. drierand brighter wales, getting into scotland as well. drier and brighterfree time in northern ireland, think north scotland will also see some sunshine at times. generally quite a cloudy day, but starting to feel milder. 13 in cardiff, 1a in belfast. through tuesday night into wednesday and various frontal systems continue to wriggle through stop this frontal system here, the cold front pushing in a bit further southwards on wednesday, bricks of rain with that. to the north some sunshine, wind in the far north two scattered showers, to the south bar when weather front a lot of cloud, here it will feel

mild, 15 may be 16 degrees forget brightness. towards the end of the week will see marked are surging northwards, temperatures may peak around thursday with values up to 16, possibly 70 degrees and parts of eastern england. it stays pretty mild as we head through us we can, but there will be a fair amount of cloud and some rain at times.

today at one: the princess of wales says she's sorry for any confusion — after she admits editing photographs. it follows questions over this picture released yesterday. several news agencies withdrew it — concerned it had been digitally manipulated. we have been looking at the problems with this image and what is likely to have caused them. also on the programme this lunchtime: former tory deputy party chairman lee anderson defects to reform uk, saying he wants his country back. unfortunately, the conservative party and the labour party won't fight back — this party'll fight back. how people have been tricked into buying homes on holiday parks where they have no right to live. and ken steals the show at the oscars, but it's 0ppenheimer that's the big winner.