today at five, preparations gather pace for the royal wedding here at windsor castle — but it's confirmed that meghan markle‘s father will not be attending. there's been a surprise appearance at windsor by prince harry and meghan markle. announcing that her father would not attend, meghan markle pleaded for him to be given space to focus on his health. here on the long walk outside the castle, they've been going through their final paces for the big day. hundreds of people lined the streets in the sunshine to see the rehearsal of the carriage procession through windsor. i'm reeta chakrabati. the other main stories on bbc news at five. the government says it could still ban combustible cladding, despite a review after the grenfell tower fire suggesting an outright ban isn't needed. a woman is found guilty of throwing acid over herformer partner as he slept. he later died in a euthanasia clinic. theresa may says the uk will shortly put forward its own

backstop proposal in relation to post—brexit customs. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news at five, live from windsor, where final preparations have been taking place for saturday's royal wedding. after intense press speculation for days, meghan markle has confirmed that her father will not be attending. thomas markle had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle, butjust days before her marriage to prince harry, it was announced he would not be attending due to his ill health. in a statement from kensington palace, meghan markle said she had "always cared" for her father, and hoped he could be

given the space he needed to focus on his health. personal sadness, then, but in the meantime, last—minute rehearsals have been taking place to ensure that everything runs smoothly on harry and meghan‘s big day. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. time to end the uncertainty and focus on the wedding. harry and meghan travelled up the long walk to windsor castle for a private rehearsal ahead of saturday. a short time earlier, it had finally been confirmed that thomas markle will not be at his daughter's wedding. just 48 hours ahead of the service, kensington palace issued this statement from ms markle. she thanked people for their support. she said she and harry looked forward to sharing their special day. in windsor this morning, preparations for saturday, rehearsal

of the military involvement. it's comparatively modest. around 250 members of the three armed services, the most visible part of which will be the mounted escort provided by harry's old regiment, the household cavalry. they'll accompany the newly—married couple on saturday, weather permitting, in what will be an open carriage as they make their way through the centre of windsor and back to the castle. also rehearsing has been the choir of st george's chapel, and preparing for his role presiding over the wedding service, the dean of windsor. my impression is that they love one another very much. they are very committed to each other. they are very serious about the relationship. and that is why i think they particularly wanted to see it grounded in a religious ceremony, in a christian ceremony. so after three days, when the uncertainties over

the father of the bride have threatened the smooth running of the event, the wedding appears to be back on track. two days to go now and in windsor, where some of the most committed are already staking out their places, the focus is back where it should be, on the bride and groom. nicholas witchell, bbc news, windsor. our royal correspondent daniela relphjoins me now. she has been following the day's events at the castle and a lot of talk about meghan markle‘s father but some news about her mother first. doria ragland has met the in—laws, what will be her daughter's in—laws, what will be her daughter's in—laws, prince charles, the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall. yesterday afternoon, we we re cornwall. yesterday afternoon, we were told, she had tea at clarence house with charles and camilla and meghan and harry. she was not long ofa meghan and harry. she was not long of a flight from la so pretty fast turnaround but she obviously went

straight to clarence house a0 with charles and camilla and meghan and harry. that would have been the first moment she would have got a flavour of what her daughter is marrying into and what life is like ina marrying into and what life is like in a royal palace. it would have been quite a moment for doria ragland, clearly. today we know that harry and meghan are in the castle here, it is believed there is some kind of rehearsal in the chapel for the actual ceremony. we don't know with absolute certainty but there is a suggestion that the bridesmaids and pageboy zaheer, perhaps even a sighting of meghan‘s mother. the royal standard is flying so the queen is here so could she have met the queen? no certainty on any of that but we know she met prince charles and camilla, duchess of cornwall, yesterday at clarence house. that is quite a moment indeed and lots of people talking about terror again today because that very unusual statement specifically from meghan markle herself talking about her father not coming here for the wedding on saturday. that's right, a sad statement in many ways from meghan markle saying she cared for his father —— her father but you do

his father —— her father but you do his ill—health, he could not walk her down the aisle here on saturday. imported that it came directly from her, at the top of the statement, it said it was a statement from meghan markle, it was in her own words and she spoke directly about what she was thinking so there was no question about who it should be attributed to, and it's quite different from the way things are formally done within the royal palaces, it was very specifically from her that a general statement. it leaves open the question of who will walk her down the aisle on saturday. you have to think it could well be her mother because they have a very close relationship. my sense is if she wants it to happen, there would be concerned about protocol or tradition and it will happen. 0f course, it could also be the prince of wales, she may want to do that, her new father—in—law walking her down the aisle at the chapel or she may walk alone, that is another possibility. i would think we may getan possibility. i would think we may get an answer on that tomorrow. all right, for now, thank you. i was speaking to charles anson, the

former press secretary to the queen earlier this afternoon and he reminded us on bbc news that queen victoria, after her husband died, two of her daughters down the aisle. he said it is not something that get talked about very much. he had an adjusting pointer from talked about very much. he had an adjusting pointerfrom history. people are gathering in many places on winter and they will be able to gather in many places on saturday to watch the events. and just down the road from me is simon mccoy who is on long walk. thanks, jane. well, today's royal wedding rehearsal, involving more than 250 military personnel, was following the route of the carriage procession for the newlyweds on saturday. let's have a look at that in a little more detail. the procession will leave castle hill, travel through windsor‘s high street, sheet street, onto kings road and albert road, and then it will proceed up the long walk all the way back to st george's hall by windsor castle for a lunchtime reception, which is being given by her majesty the queen. let's talk more about the feel of

the day. i'm joined by major spencer taylor and warrant 0fficerjim hogg from the household cavalry. both from the lifeguard and you have both served with prince harry reaches why you will be there on saturday. a big day. massive day. i served with him in 2007 his gunner on an armoured fighting vehicle. conducted lots of training exercises and having served with him back in 2007, it was an enormous pleasure and something i'm very proud of and now obviously, i am now going to be on the staircase. azhar ali. yes. you will train with them. we remember the difficulty had to get in —— difficulty had getting out to do what he felt what his job but he was determined to disabled away his prize when he was in afghanistan

with you? to be surprised, being a true leader in the household cavalry, our main role is to go on operations and he would have been disappointed if he'd done all that training and did not manage to get out to afghanistan. in a way it was a surprise but a nice surprise that he was able to get out with his troupe, with his guys and get amongst all of the daily business that was required on operations. when we look at the pictures on saturday, we will be looking at a young couple and celebrating their relationship but we are looking at a man who has done his bit for his country. yes, he has an done extremely well. he served with honour and professionalism. and now he's decided to get married to a wonderful lady. when you stand on the staircase on saturday, i'm sure you are not given to nervous but will you be nervous? slightly, slightly nervous! but it is our bread and butter so we're used to being the spotlight, operating in

adverse situations. there will not be any fluffs? it will go like clockwork because these things do! yeah. it is imported for harry that you are there. what do you think he will be feeling. so many representatives of various bits of his life will be here. it is important for his wife, as she will be by then, to meet you all. looking forward to that? certainly, because from the household cavalry to the marines, to the gurkhas, the navy, the army air corps, everybody you discussed, everyone he has been involved in will be in the main procession and that is important for him and the couple that when they come out, the first thing they will see will be the household cavalry staircase party and then they will move on from there. i think it is imported the people he served with the units he has been with, it is good that we will be there for him oi'i good that we will be there for him on the day. —— i think it is important. we have seen from the rehearsal how seriously this is taken, everything

rehearsal how seriously this is ta ken, everything has rehearsal how seriously this is taken, everything has to bejust so. how important our days like this, a ceremonial day in an officer's read like yours? this is fantastic, joining the household cavalry, it is the best of both worlds, we have the operational side but also the opportunity to do the ceremonial side and be part of britain plc. to be shown around the world what we can do in britain is put on a good show. and that is what will happen? it is indeed! in terms of the prince himself, if he looks at you as you are standing on those stairs, a little smile? i won't be looking at him because i will be there to do my job, i will be looking straight ahead and rigid. i've no doubt it's going to go like clockwork with you involved. i wish you both well, enjoy the day and thank you for joining us. let's get more... i'm not going to say over the hill! jane is up the hill at windsor castle. thanks, simon. many more days of this.

with me here is the royal biographer katie nicholl, author the book harry, life, loss and love. hello. such a busy, iwas hello. such a busy, i was going to say is busy and exciting time and it is for a lot of people but we have to start with the news about meghan markle's father. yes. the impact that has with a8 hours to go, what is your take on the impact this is happening? listen, we were all talking about it and it is u nfortu nate. talking about it and it is unfortunate. i don't think it is going to overshadow the big day. thank goodness it happened earlier in the week. i know it's only days to go but i think they will still have a wonderful wedding day and there is obviously still speculation, the matter is not closed because we still don't know who will walk meghan dunn the aisle but i don't think we will have to wait much longer. i was told by kensington palace earlier that the decision was still being made which

suggest they are still talking about it, daniela relph was saying it be down ”g prince of step e down ”g prince of step etaow i ”g prince of step etaow i think; prince of is jjeer mother, - was making the to her mother, she was making the all—important to her mother, she was making the all—importa nt drive to to her mother, she was making the all—important drive to the church in any case, this is the woman who raised meghan. if it comes down to her choice, i would raised meghan. if it comes down to her choice, iwould imagine raised meghan. if it comes down to her choice, i would imagine it will be her mother but we will have to wait and see. i don't think it would cost too much of a shadow over what will be, i'm sure, a very special day. —— cast too much. will be, i'm sure, a very special day. -- cast too much. we will find out tomorrow, that is the sense we are getting, anyway. in terms of the day, you have been looking at what is planned. how big a stamp out the couple been able to put on all of this? you know what? being the last one to get married after his brother and friends, i think prince harry has had a pretty good look at weddings and had quite a clear idea of what he wanted. i was told he wa nted of what he wanted. i was told he wanted something different to his brother, as soon as he knew he wa nted brother, as soon as he knew he wanted to get married, he wanted it to be here and for once, being the

spare, he's come up trumps because he can have a small, relatively intimate family wedding. only 600 guests! compared to 1600, that is intimate, they are not backing the chapel to the rafters and it will be people they know and they have made it as intimate as they can. they've avoided politicians. yes and foreign royals so it is their friends and family and of course, as the day goes on, the evening part of the wedding, that all—important golden ticket to the party at frogmore will bea ticket to the party at frogmore will be a real reflection of their nearest and dearest. and harry is doing what he does best, throwing a great party for those he loves. i think the wedding is very much, they have put their stamp on it, whether it is the gospel choir or the nod to the californian girl that meghan is with the lemon and elderflower cake, they are doing things a bit differently and that feels refreshing but at the same time, respect all. we are having the choir

and the palm and the pageantry that everything we would expect from royal wedding. —— pomp everything we would expect from royalwedding. —— pomp and pageantry. the timing is quite clever because some people would say midday is relatively early for a ceremony and there's a lot of getting ready to do for everybody and that is formal, public part, the procession we have seen, watching their rehearsal today, that is there half an hour in the crowd, through the streets, pictures to be beamed all over the world and that is the public element and a public statement and their own moment, i suppose does not come until the evening. it doesn't and this is a happy compromise, giving the public what harry knows is expected of him, a big, public wedding where people who have gathered can see him, they are allowing it to be televised, being very generous in that respect but they are also making sure this is their wedding night. they are going to have a wonderful party and a private party. you know, this has been called harry's revenge, no photographers will get anywhere near the evening party and what goes on

there will stay firmly under lock and key. thank you forjoining us. we will see you on the day itself, of course. thank you for now. more from windsor later in the hour but back to the studio. this is bbc news at five — the headlines: preparations gather pace for the royal wedding at windsor castle — but it's confirmed that meghan markle's father will not be attending. the government says it could still ban combustible cladding, despite a review after the grenfell tower fire suggesting an outright ban isn't needed. a woman is found guilty of throwing acid over herformer partner as he slept. he later died in a euthanasia clinic. combustible cladding could be banned from high—rise residential buildings, despite a review into the grenfell tower fire saying the materials should not be prohibited.

the review into regulations in england, led by damejudith hackitt, said the industry was "a broken system that needs to be fixed." however, it stopped short of calling for an outright ban on flammable cladding. but hours after the report was published, the government said it would consult on outlawing the materials. our home affairs correspondent tom symonds has this report. this is what it is like being caught up in the housing fire safety crisis. lucy hopkins lives in a gleaming modern apartment block but it's so unsafe, patrols have to keep watch with megaphones in case of fire. she is facing a huge bill to replace the cladding which, simply put, burns easily. how could a building built in 2005 now be seen as dangerous that it has to have fire wardens and people with megaphones? it seems that the building regulations are totally unsuitable. those regulations say that combustible materials can be installed on tall buildings if the design is shown to be safe

using a fire test or a so—called desktop study of a fire test but that could now change. we are consulting on significantly restricting or banning the use of desktop studies to assess cladding systems. inappropriate use of desktop studies is unacceptable and i will not hesitate to ban them if the consultation which closes on the 25th of may does not demonstrate they can be used safely. but grenfell campaigners demanded an outright ban on the cladding itself and they hoped that would be a recommendation in the report today by dame judith hackitt, who reviewed england's building regulations. it wasn't. if people look at this report and say it doesn't go far enough because it didn't ban cladding then i will accept that as a criticism. that is the criticism? and i accept that. but what i will say in response

to that is that what i found is a problem with the building of high—rise buildings that goes far beyond people putting cladding onto the building which is not compliant. in fact, her report paints a highly critical picture of the building industry before this crisis, before the cladding started coming off. companies, she says, were in a race to the bottom, trying to get work done quickly and cheaply but she's not calling for more building regulations. her review, triggered by the grenfell disaster, calls for a new authority to oversee building safety, for more rigorous enforcement of existing regulations and for the industry to lead the change. in fact, she says, the industry has to learn how to be safer. can industry be trusted to do what you have said, given that they, the industry, have allowed people to be a living in 300 buildings that are not compliant, in the government's own words, with the current building relations?

i think it's an industry that needs to recognise that it needs to earn people's trust. i don't believe that as a result of what i'm recommending, i'm placing all of that trust and blind faith in them by any means. you said they should lead the way. they should lead the way, but what that same paragraph also says is under the oversight of the new regulatory body that we're putting in place, which will be much tougher and will hold them to account. it's a sweeping plan that could take years to implement. meanwhile, lucy still has no idea when the questions about her building will be resolved. don symons, bbc news, east london. a woman has been cleared of murdering herformer partner in an acid attack in bristol. but the jury found berlinah wallace guilty of throwing sulphuric acid over her former partner as he lay sleeping in 2015. mark van dongen, who was 29, was paralysed from the neck down and died in a euthanasia clinic in belgium 15 months later. 0ur correspondentjon kay has the background to the case. awarning,

a warning, there are distressing details in his piece. six foot five, athletic, a dutch engineer, but mark van dongen was left paralysed, blinded and suicidal when his jealous girlfriend attacked him with acid. struggling to breathe, he recorded a message for her, just before he died. translation: when it first happened and i went to the hospital, i didn't even recognise him. mark van dongen‘s father told his son was in agony for over a year before he was granted euthanasia at a belgian hospital. it was very hard. but he was in so much pain. it was unbearable.

he had no life left. we had explored every avenue. and in the end, ijust had to agree and accept his decision. as for the south african fashion student he treated like a daughter, and who has now been convicted of throwing the acid... to me, she's the devil incarnate. what happened to mark, all that suffering. mark van dongen‘s pain can be heard in this 999 call, as neighbours rang for an ambulance. he'd staggered out of the couple's bristol flat, begging for assistance. this has been a highly unusual trial. berlinah wallace was charged with van dongen‘s murder, even though he chose to end his life more than a year after the acid attack. but the jury concluded she was not responsible for his death and guilty only of throwing the liquid. as it is one of the most deadly

weapons out there and this case is proof of the devastation it can cause. translation: i don't want this to happen to anyone else, any mother or father. this to happen to anyone else, any mother orfather. no one this to happen to anyone else, any mother or father. no one else should go through this pain and misery. berlinah wallace will be sentenced next week. jon kay, bbc news, bristol crown court. theresa may says she will table a new proposal on the future customs relationship between the european union and the uk, within the next two weeks. mrs may has held talks with other european leaders on the sidelines of an eu summit in bulgaria. 0ur chief political correspondent, vicki young, is in westminster. do we have any idea of what this proposal is? this is all in the run—up to the crucialjune summit and this stumbling block we have heard so much about, about the border between ireland and northern

ireland and really it is all about how we are going to trade between the two once the uk has left the single market and the customs union, including northern ireland, but ireland is still in the eu. how do you do that without having a hard border on the island of ireland? it is something the irish have been incredibly concerned about. they are not convinced the uk government can come up with an answer to this, so much so they have insisted there is a so—called backstop, written in legal text, saying what might happen if all else fails. if all else fails at the moment, it would mean a border in the irish sea, effectively splitting northern ireland from the rest of the uk, something theresa may says is completely unacceptable. today the irish prime minister, leo varadkar warned that today the irish prime minister, leo va radkar warned that if today the irish prime minister, leo varadkar warned that if there was not progress soon, it would risk the uk crashing out of the eu with any deal at all. we stand by the same position we have had for a long time now, that there can be no withdrawal agreement without the backstop to ensure there

is no hard border. if the uk wants to put forward alternatives to that, whether it is alternative text to the backstop or whether it is some kind of alternative future relationship between the uk and the eu, we are willing to examine that but we need to see it written down in black and white. so what is the alternative the british government is now possibly proposing? it seems next week in brussels they will announce an idea which is after the transition period ending, now we are talking about the ending, now we are talking about the end of december 2020, the uk may stay pretty aligned to what is going on in the customs union, may be speaking to eu tariffs. that may solve the issue but it does not please brexiteer to feel this is a slippery step and they may —— they feel we may be staying closely align the two long, possibly years, this is slightly related to the rangel theresa may has about the future

customs partnership, the two proposals she is still looking at, trying to get the cabinet to agree to and that is before the eu even ta ke to and that is before the eu even take a look at it, they might not now either. thank you forjoining us. now either. thank you forjoining us. vicki young, there. the amount people can bet on fixed—odds betting terminal games is to be cut to just £2. currently, people can bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games such as roulette. the government says the move to cut the maximum stake will reduce the risk of gambling—related harm but the industry is warning ofjob losses. our personal finance correspondent simon gompertz reports. place your bets. roulette and other casino games all on a machine at the betting shop. maybe sounds fun but they are actually programmed to make you lose. while the bookies profit, the government gets the tax and even horse racing gets a benefit. what do you say to a two—year—old son that you have lost your home because you have a gambling problem? tony franklin is one of thousands of victims. these machines give you the ability

to chase losses at up to £100 and you can lose phenomenal amounts of money in a very short space of time. and that was my experience. the last time i had a relapse on these machines, september last year, i lost £27a0 in a2 minutes. while you could bet up to £100 a time, that maximum will go down to just £2, slicing hundreds of millions of pounds a year off bookmakers‘ revenues. inevitably there has been a media focus on the product in our shops, but i think when you look at the expert advice received from the gambling commission and the response from the gambling strategy board, there really was other ways they could have addressed this. and we will have to live with the economic consequences. £540 million, 21,000 jobs lost. this is the worst outcome as far as bookmakers‘ profits are concerned. william hill says that more than a third of its outlets,

that's 900 shops, would become loss—making once the £2 maximum was brought in. the only comfort for them is that the impact won't be immediate. because legislation is required, there is no fixed timetable to bring in the change. there is also a signal today that the mushrooming business of online gambling will face more controls, with tighter checks on the age of gamblers. the crackdown on betting machines on the high street, the start of a much tighter regime. fixed odds betting terminals have been extremely addictive to our pathological gamblers because of the high stake that attracted them. this significant reduction will make a big difference. these machines will not be as exciting for them. there have been dire warnings that racing will suffer if betting shops close, because the sport gets a levy from each bet you place. but the government is to look at widening that levy to cover overseas as well as uk races, to limit the damage while yielding to pressure

to protect gambling victims. all the evidence was that some of the people who could least afford to lose thousands of pounds at a time were losing that sort of money on these machines, and when you find a social blight like that, i think it's our duty to stop it. so, more change on the way for high streets. some clustered with betting shops financed by the terminals. many seem destined to disappear. simon gompertz, bbc news. let's return our main story — the countdown to the royal wedding. back to windsor and let's rejoin jane hill. thanks, reeta. after five 30p, more afterfive 30p, more build—up, on the day we learned that meghan

markle's father will not be here for the big day. —— 5:30pm. we don't yet know who will walk up the aisle. we will be discussing among other things, talking to someone who represents one of the charities they particularly support, you might know they have asked guests not to give them presents but to donate to one of seven charities. we will be talking about that and talking to a royal biographer and out and about in the crowds. quite a big turnout in the crowds. quite a big turnout in the sun in windsor today for the rehearsal. perhaps it encouraged people. let's find out what is happening with the weather. we have been lucky so far today. matt taylor can fill us been lucky so far today. matt taylor canfill us in been lucky so far today. matt taylor can fill us in on wherever you are in the country. it is not just it is notjust sunny in windsor, this is the scene in the western highlands where we saw temperatures peek at 19 celsius, the warmest part of the country after a chilly start.

temperatures said to take a bit of a tamilas any temperatures said to take a bit of a tamil as any fairweather cloud gradually melts away. cloud gradually melts away. cloud gradually thickens up. with clear skies elsewhere, east of scotland, muttering loan and wales, we could see temperatures low enough for a touch of frost into the morning. a bit of a fresh commute but lots of sunshine overhead, temperatures slowly on the right and then quite a sharp uptake as the sun really gets to work. much of inman and wales, eastern scotland, dry with long spells of sunshine. thicker cloud could just threaten one or two showers, so a cooler day in the north. lots of sunshine on saturday if you are celebrating in london, will fast, cardiff or edinburgh, before a few showers in the north and west on sunday. this is bbc news — the headlines.

preparations gather pace for the royal wedding at windsor castle — there's been a surprise appearance at windsor by prince harry and meghan markle. it's been confirmed that meghan markle's father will not be attending — the bride—to—be has pleaded for him to be given space to focus on his health. in other news, the government says it could still ban combustible cladding, despite a review after the grenfell tower fire suggesting an outright ban isn't needed. a woman is found guilty of throwing acid over herformer partner as he slept — he later died in a euthanasia clinic. theresa mays says the uk will shortly put forward its own back stop proposal — in relation to customs. and later, we'll have more on the lead—up to the royal wedding, as hundreds gather to witness the final rehearsal before the big day. let's now crossed to the bbc sports centre. the england manager gareth southgate has been

explaining his decision to select a young squad for the world cup in russia. southgate said his squad was not a gamble but instead thought his players would be free of inhibition — with just 5 players left from their disappointing campaign in brazil a years ago. and, he says, he won't be writing the tournament off.. we have great faith in them. we know that they lack a bit of big match experience, but how are they going to get that? the only way is essex into that environment. we think they are the best players we have available, we think they can be very exciting now, and we think they can be even more exciting in the future. but i don't want to limit what they think is possible either, because they are young and hungry and they wa nt to they are young and hungry and they want to have a go at things, and i think that is what we have got to do in this tournament, is really enjoy the ride. be positive with them, in the ride. be positive with them, in the way we want to play, and embraced the tournament. southgate also talked about some of the difficult decisions he had to make in leaving players out of the squad.

one of his tough choices was to not call up the former number one choice goalkeeper — joe hart. . .. hart started all but one of england's qualifying matches but has paid for some poorform at loan club west ham. but southgate says there's no reason hart couldn't play for england again in the future and that he hopes to see him back to his best. 0n arsenal midfielderjack wilshere, who also missed out... southgate told the media the midfielder had not been as effective as he'd have hoped towards the end of the season. britain's simon yates has successfully defended the leaders jersey at the giro d'italia for the sixth stage in a row... a sprint finish was always expected on stage 12, but the pouring rain meant a lot of the specialist sprinters had been left behind — ireland's sam bennett powered to the stage win. yates finished just behind in the main bunch — and all the leading riders were awarded the same time. that means he still leads tom dumoulin by a7 seconds, with nine stages to go. british number one johanna konta is out

of the italian 0pen after losing to french open champion jelena 0stapenko. konta got off to a very good start, taking the first set 6—2. but 0stapenko was on top from then on... winning the second set, and then the decider 6—a to progress to the quarter finals. meanwhile, britain's men's number one kyle edmund is currently on court against alexander zverev. edmund lost the first set and is currently a break down in the second set against the german, who's rated third in the world rankings. venus williams is also out of the italian 0pen. the world number nine was beaten by annett kontaveit in straight sets in the third round. 0lympic high jump bronze medallist robbie grabartz has retired from the sport. the 30—year—old who won bronze at the london games

in 2012 says he isn't "enjoying competing" anymore. grabartz missed out on a medal at the commonwealth games on the gold coast last month. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. welcome back to windsor — where final preparations are underway for saturday's royal wedding. the main development today has been confirmation that meghan markle's father will not be attending — thomas markle had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle. we don't yet know who will perform that role on saturday. nonetheless, lots of other reserve —— other rehearsals had been planned and went ahead. we saw the big military rehearsal at lunchtime, and this afternoon prince harry and his

brother to beware here at windsor castle, and a fair bet that there was a bit of a rehearsal going on there as well, as you might expect a couple of days before any wedding really, and particularly one that will be televised. i'm joined by duncan larcombe, author, prince harry: the inside story. he has written about prince harry and the royals generally for many yea rs. and the royals generally for many years. hello to you, duncan. restart of course with the confirmation that thomas markle will not be coming. very interesting that that statement was specifically from meghan markle. it is quite interesting in many ways, isn't it? it is, obviously it is unusual she would release a statement under her own name rather than a spokesman, but i was fascinated by the wording of it. the fa ct fascinated by the wording of it. the fact that she stated clearly she has a lwa ys fact that she stated clearly she has always cared for her father, what does that mean? that means to me, we

did not neglect him, we cared for him. clarence house and the press office have actually tried to protect her father. and then it obviously goes on to say i hope that he can now focus on his health. well, i interpret that to mean, stopped talking to journalists, dad, because even after this broke earlier in the week, he was still being quoted on a celebrity website, and that frankly is a golden rule broken, as far as harry would see it. and is your sense that someone in the royal family, it. and is your sense that someone in the royalfamily, whether it. and is your sense that someone in the royal family, whether it is the press section of kensington palace, or whoever, as soon as the wedding was announced, would they have had a conversation with various members of her family, have had a conversation with various members of herfamily, saying have had a conversation with various members of her family, saying this is how the press works, these are the guidelines, do you think that actually would have happened?” the guidelines, do you think that actually would have happened? i do, there is quite a sophisticated machine surrounding prince harry and meghan, dave were suddenly thrust

into a global spotlight, and it simply beggars belief that they were just leave him to his own devices in mexico as a vulnerable person. i don't believe that is the case, so it begs the question what is happening with certain members of meghan‘s family? it almost feels with the siblings giving interviews and flying to the uk for their tv deals they have done, like they are taking the dignity of the house of windsor and making it look like the kardashian show. and that will not go down well with the people that lived here. you have spent time with prince harry, when you were in newspapers, you have written about him, and given his relationship with the press, and that of his brother, for entirely understandable reasons, how well all of this over the last few days and weeks be resonating there? as a general rule with harry, there? as a general rule with harry, there is nothing more he hates on there is nothing more he hates on the planet than the paparazzi, and we know why, and it isjustified. when someone from his inner circle,

a colleague, a friend from school, has spoken to a generalist without his permission, they have had one strike, they are out. it is difficult when the person we are talking about will be his future father—in—law on saturday. he will never be able to confide in his future father—in—law, he wants to say meghan is pregnant. for example. he can't risk that now, so it is a really bad start for harry with his volition sure with his father—in—law. volition sure with his father-in-law. thank you forjoining us. father-in-law. thank you forjoining us. the crowds were out in force here in windsor, as we have been reflecting. there will be many more of those on the long walk come saturday. simon mccoy is there. of those on the long walk come saturday. simon mccoy is therem fa ct i saturday. simon mccoy is therem fact i am joined now byjenna caines, from the world campaign. alongside harry rolfe, who has benefited from the charity. jenna,

as soon as benefited from the charity. jenna, as soon as they announced that seven charities would benefit, what difference does that make to a small charity like yours? oh my goodness, the amount of exposure it brings us asa the amount of exposure it brings us as a small charity is something we could never imagine and we could never wish for. the exposure and the support and the well wishing has been fantastic. explain what it is you do, you look after more vulnerable youngsters and you basically get them out into the open. that's right. we have a wide range of programmes, we work with vulnerable teenagers and young people, and teenagers in school and primary schools as well and found environmental education, will reach about 5000 young people a year. one of you is you, harry, and you have met the other harry before, how did that come about? because i was on turnaround, one of the programmes that the foundation do. we got invited to come down and meet him,

and it was just such an amazing experience. he is such a down to earth guy, and i am so privileged to meet him. down to earth in what way? he isa meet him. down to earth in what way? he is a member of the royalfamily. did that catch you by surprise? he is a member of the royalfamily. did that catch you by surprise7m really did. it would be just like you met him on the street and had a really nice conversation. he isjust so really nice conversation. he isjust so casual, and so nice. so on saturday, you will be thinking, have a great day? yeah. tamme one, you have met harry twice, i think, but different times? 0nce have met harry twice, i think, but different times? once when you are working for a charity. before that he was on a holiday to south africa, a slightly different prince harry, the one that for those of us will remember who are that order, who enjoys going out and enjoying himself? yes, i used to work for a shark cage diving company in south

africa, harry came out with some of his friends to do that, he did not get in the cage. it was a long time ago and he was a lot younger then, andl ago and he was a lot younger then, and i definitely noticed he was a different person when i met in this time. it was interesting in their engagement interview, they talked about going to botswana, which is where they were able to spend time together, learning about each other. very much in tune in with what your charity is about. that's right, our charity is about. that's right, our charity is about connecting people with nature and the benefits it brings to both, because we want people to care about nature and feel the benefits of being out in nature, so the benefits of being out in nature, so it is all about that togetherness and connection. harry coming you had some issues, perhaps didn't feel you we re some issues, perhaps didn't feel you were the various things. what does a charity like this do? what has it done for you, what is it that harry gets about that? i think it opens your mind to new things, like being out in the nature, and being able to

absorb everything in, having that alone time, but also being in a team, which harry obviously knows about. it is just team, which harry obviously knows about. it isjust amazing, and it really does open your mind up to new solutions to your problem is that you have. and i think that is one of the key thing is that they get us to do, which isjust a real good eye—opener, which i have benefited from, and many people that i now have benefited from through the foundation. i suspect now that you will both benefit, indirectly anyway, from the wedding, because it has put you on the map, hasn't it? it certainly is. thank you for joining us. seven charities among those benefiting from that decision, we don't want presents, they said, these are the charities we want to benefit as a result to our happy day. full coverage over the next couple of days with jane hill, who is at castle hill for us still. it is at castle hill for us still. it is still funny, isn't it, "it's not!

close bracket laughter i hope so clear our reporter noel phillips has been chatting to a lot of people today for stop some pets as well. 0ver chatting to a lot of people today for stop some pets as well. over to you. jayne connery it has been a really busy jam— packed day. you. jayne connery it has been a really busyjam—packed day. we have seen really busyjam—packed day. we have seena really busyjam—packed day. we have seen a prince charles lookalike, i managed to bag myself a kiss on the cheek. we also had a choir singing, live on bbc news. and i think we have peaked with our royal coverage today because i am in a horse and carriage. check this out. 100,000 people expected over the next couple of days. they are here to see this fairy tale play out in real life, and of course this wedding is seen asa and of course this wedding is seen as a generational revival for the monarchy. people see it as a modern image for a modern monarchy, and indeed people from across the

commonwealth, from across the country, they are here, they are celebrating and really soaking up the atmosphere. i want to introduce you to edwina, who has come all the way from new zealand for this wedding. tell us how big a deal this is for you? i was delighted when harry and meghan announced their engagement because i knew i was coming to london and i would be here at the same time. so it has worked out really well. i came out to be sure i would be here and participate and see them on the day. the thing that really strikes me, like a lot of people today, people are turning up of people today, people are turning up with tents, food, toothbrushes, these essential things because you, like many people, will be camping on the streets. why are you doing it? because i just want to be the streets. why are you doing it? because ijust want to be part of it and celebrate with harry, because i think he and william are fine young men, and they are the next generation of the monarchy, and i think the boys have done and chosen really well with their respective wives, and i think they will be the

awesome foursome from now on. in terms of the significance for people from the commonwealth, and indeed across the country, just how important is this wedding, do you think? i think it is a sign of change for the royal family. think? i think it is a sign of change for the royalfamily. and i am really delighted, i have —— that they have embraced meghan and included her in the clan, so to speak. iam really looking included her in the clan, so to speak. i am really looking forward to seeing her frock tomorrow because she has great taste, she is on point, so to speak, so it will be a highlight tomorrow. and all the procession. i really do hope you are able to find your place and to direct your tent able to find your place and to direct yourtent and able to find your place and to direct your tent and have a jolly, jolly good time. another historic chapter to be added in windsor's book here on saturday, jane. plenty more people for you to talk to over the next few days, knoll. thank you very much indeed and plenty more from us generally here in windsor in

the build—up to the wedding on saturday. for now, let's return to the studio and some of the rest of the studio and some of the rest of the day's news with rita. mothercare has confirmed it is closing 50 stores putting 800 jobs at risk. the retailer — which has already nearly halved its store numbers over the past five years — says it is in a "perilous" financial position. our business correspondent emma simpson has more. mothercare, it's been a one—stop shop for parents to be and their little ones for decades. but it's in trouble, and here's why. not least because shoppers have a lot more choice. it ranges, all different places, supermarkets, primark, next. what about mothercare? no, too expensive. sounds like mothercare has just got more competition these days. years ago, because i'm older obviously, mothercare was the first shop that just did baby things

and it was very very popular. ican remembergetting a little book and looking up what i wanted and i loved it. it just seems a itjust seems a little outdated now i think about it, mothercare. this is one of mothercare's newest stores. mothercare used to run hundreds of stores. today it has 137. and it now wants to close 50 of them by next summer to cut costs. mothercare's problem is that it has too many underperforming stores. the uk business hasn't made a profit since 2012, and with tough conditions on the high street, its troubles have finally come to a head. as well as cutting stores, it is getting a cash injection to re—boost the business, but will it be enough? the businesses on a cliff edge at the moment, it has a very strong brand name which does well internationally but it has to be juice something for the uk consumer,

and that is what its problem is. right now, though, the focus is on simply staying open. the boss who was sacked just a month ago has been rehired to finish the job of trying to turn this business around. another household name that is struggling to make the sums add up. emma simpson, bbc news. a man has beenjailed for 29 years for killing a barmaid whose naked body was found in a park after she went missing on christmas eve. iuliana tudos, who was 22, was discovered dead in a disused building in finsbury park in london, three days later. kasim lewis, from north london, pleaded guilty to her murder at the old bailey. the father of two boys, who were killed in a hit and run crash in coventry, has been found dead in a hotel room in corfu. his sons — corey and casper, who were aged six and two — died in february. his death is not being treated as suspicious. the driver of the car that hit them,

robert brown, is serving a nine—year prison sentence. president trump has filed a document with regulators in washington acknowledging that he'd reimbursed his personal lawyer more than 100—thousand dollars. the money is alleged to have been used to buy the silence of the adult movie star, stormy daniels; the president denies her claim that they had a sexual encounter in 2006. a permanent national memorial to the british victims of overseas terrorism has been unveiled at the national memorial arboretum in staffordshire. the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall attended the ceremony alongside nearly 300 people who have lost relatives, friends and loved ones in attacks around the world. sima kotecha sent us this report. terror attacks around the world have claimed the lives of hundreds of british nationals. many more have been affected and are left with the haunting memories that will never be forgotten. today, at a service at the national memorial arboretum, a memorial was unveiled to commemorate all those who died and ease the pain

of those who live on. present, their friends and relatives, members of the royal family and members of the government, including defence minister tobias ellwood, whose brotherjonathan was killed in the 2002 bali bombings. this provides a beautiful image, in stark contrast to the horrendous circumstances in which loved ones were killed. i miss my brother dearly and we must make sure the terrorists don't win and don't take over our lives. the memorial is called still water. the artist wanted to create an impression of a hidden place surrounded by woodland and greenery. it has no specific meaning, allowing those who come here to make their own interpretation of what it means to them. sheila's son nick was the only british citizen killed in the bataclan attack

in paris, three years ago. this memorial is for all those affected by terrorism overseas and that circle of people is huge. and it pleases me that there is some somewhere for anyone to come, whether they know us or know other people who were there, but who can just come and think about it. it's a great place for reflection, and, hopefully, moving forward. an act of terror, over in minutes, but its effect for loved ones left behind can scar a lifetime. it's hoped this place of peace may at last partly heal those scars. sima kotecha, bbc news. back to jane hill. a day of mixed

emotions here at windsor because we have the news that meghan markle's father will not be attending the wedding on saturday. he had of course been expected to walker's daughter up the aisle, and we don't yet know who will perform that role. but despite that news, the couple themselves, prince harry and meghan markle, were visible, at least to anyone with a very keen eye, because there were rehearsals today, and as pa rt there were rehearsals today, and as part of that, the couple drove along the long walk, and then back here in two windsor castle this afternoon, all part of the rehearsals for the big procession that will follow the wedding ceremony on saturday lunchtime. so a lucky few who realised the royal couple were in the car were able to see them, just a couple of hours in fact after that statement was released in meghan markle's name, to confirm that her father won't be attending. there was a day of great ceremony as well,

with some fantastic rehearsals beginning this morning, by 250 members of military personnel. they too had theirfinal members of military personnel. they too had their final rehearsal of the procession. the brass bands played, we have the national anthem, and a lot of music, and they were out in force in beautiful windsor sunshine, watched by many, many people on the streets of windsor today. so, very much the final preparations taking place, and all of this on the day that we learnt that meghan markle's mother, doria ragland, had met prince charles. we were told earlier today that she met charles and camilla at clarence house yesterday, and harry and megan were there as well. that was herfirst and harry and megan were there as well. that was her first meeting with the prince of wales. it has been very busy day. much more to come tomorrow and some more key announcements we think tomorrow about the day itself. and we will

have full coverage of all of that, as well as the crowds continued to build. there are people camping out here in windsor, you might not be surprised to hear, ready for the ceremony at midday on saturday. and we hope of course among other things that the weather will hold as well. my that the weather will hold as well. my goodness, if it is as nice on saturday as it has been for those of us saturday as it has been for those of us lucky enough to be here today, we will all be very happy and grateful indeed. matt taylor has the latest forecast for us. you have brought us good cheer today, matt, fill us in on the prospects, wherever people are watching tonight.|j on the prospects, wherever people are watching tonight. i will be bringing smiles all around in days to come. the nights might be chilly but by day, temperatures climbing a few degrees, so by the big day we could be looking at highs of 20 to 22 celsius, strong sunshine overhead. some beautiful spring weather. but it is of course not

just the south—east corner that has been reserved for the sunshine. it has been a cracking day uk wide today. this was the scene in western scotland, kljestan i9 celsius where we saw the temperatures peaking, quite a chilly morning though. clear skies over much of the uk today, vicious little cloud on the satellite image but just vicious little cloud on the satellite image butjust behind me, changes for the highlands and northern ireland. in towards northern ireland. in towards northern ireland. in towards northern ireland and western scotland, with clearer skies, east of scotland, england and wales, another chilly night, temperatures in rural areas could be close enough to freezing for a touch of frost on the grass first thing in the morning first of all morning commute will be eight surely one, one of those difficult decisions again. a little bit warmer —— it will be a chilly one. the highlands, islands, 0rkneys, shetland, a few showers, some bright weather as well, not quite as warm as today but elsewhere

temperatures in the mid—if not high teens. that cloud that builds up through friday will melt away. high pressure builds. back to sunny weather for saturday, great news not just the wedding of course, but of course big two cup finals taking place, north and south of the border, temperatures round 20 degrees mark, a bit breezy across scotla nd degrees mark, a bit breezy across scotland rather than further south. whether you are celebrating on the streets of windsor, street party, windsor party, or avoiding it all party, much of england and wales and the british isles will be dry. with high pressure in charge for the south and east of the country, another cool night here but another fine day. into northern ireland and scotland, another weather front will try to push its way into stuck a greater chance of some rain on sunday, even compared with tomorrow. not a wash—out at all. a breezy day.

for most it sticks with the dry and sunny conditions, and temperatures 23 or 2a for one or two spots across the south. that is your cheery weather forecast for now. ministers are considering a ban on flammable cladding for high—rise buildings after the grenfell tower fire. almost a year after the blaze in london which left 72 people dead, the government says it will launch a consultation. having listened carefully to concerns, the government will consult on banning the use of combustible materials and cladding systems on high—rise residential buildings. it comes after an official review today stopped short of recommending an outright ban — calling instead for a radical rethink of safety regulation. also tonight. arriving in windsor for wedding rehearsals as meghan markle confirms her father will not be there when she marries prince harry on saturday. government plans to cut the maximum bet on high stakes slot machines from £100 tojust prompts

warnings of big job losses.