you're watching beyond 100 days — a day of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. the events ofjune 191m where the largest the events ofjune1941i where the largest combined land, air and naval operation to liberate europe from nazi occupation. the queen wasjoined in portsmouth by theresa may, donald trump, and other world leaders to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country — indeed, the whole free world, that i say to you all, "thank you".

on the last day of his state visit to the uk, donald trump said d—day "may have been the greatest battle ever". almighty god, our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavour. a struggle to preserve our public, our religion, and our civilisation, and to set free more than 300 veterans of the normandy landings gathered — most of them in their 90s — to remember the great military achievement. making their way to normandy on a specially comissioned ship, retracing their journey

across the english channel. and 75 years since he first pa rachuted into normandy, 95—year—old harry read recreates his jump behind enemy lines. hello, and welcome. i'm katty kay, with christian fraser in portsmouth for d—day commemorations. from these shores 75 years ago, allied troops set sail under the cover of darkness — an armada of about 7,000 vessels carrying more than 150,000 troops. their goal was to land on five beaches in northern france and push nazi germany out of the occupied country. almost 300 of those veterans who took part in that mission were joined by the queen and other world leaders. escorted by the royal navy as they

make their way towards those normandy commemorations. in the last few minutes, they just normandy commemorations. in the last few minutes, theyjust passed the largest ship that the navy has ever built. the prime minister and also the first sea lord philipjones waving them off as they went out into the channel, and they are now being escorted by the hms st albans as they go out past the group of naval vessels that are waiting for them in the channel. getting the biggest naval salute we understand that it biggest naval salute we understand thatitis biggest naval salute we understand that it is possible for the navy to give at sea as a tribute — amongst those ships seeing them out as a canadian warship. the allies who lost men in the d—day landings are north 0ur north america editor jon sopel is with us now. an extraordinary day, really putting the veterans — there were world leaders, but it was the veterans we are focused on. i think it was the most marvellous part about it. how

fantastic that these world leaders upstaged by these guys who are a bit crooked and had to have walking sticks, but who had done the most amazing things for all of us that we enjoy our freedoms today. and it was their battle that took place on those beaches on juno and their battle that took place on those beaches onjuno and gold beach and the rest that led to the liberation of europe and all the things that have flowed from that sense, and rightly. ithought things that have flowed from that sense, and rightly. i thought it was magnificent that the queen, at the end of hervery magnificent that the queen, at the end of her very short but powerful speech, said thank you, and they all got a standing innovation. they're going to turn off all the news on the ship and there will be a period of quiet for 30 minutes, because a third of them have never been back to normandy. this is theirfirst journey back, so they will be lost in their thoughts. what must‘ve looked about like 75 years ago. they will see the old port to micro forts

that were built in the solent. they'll go around the isle of wight, and from the isle of wight, it will just feel very similar to how it felt — maybe a bit more comfortable, without the smell of diesel in the terrible conditions that were on those landing crafts. itjust sounded like hell. and the appalling nature of what was waiting for them when they arrived on those beaches. and the other thing that struck me about today, other than the tributes — there is one of the canadian warships accompanying the boudicca as it sets off into the english channel — it was a collaboration. we talk a lot about the tensions in the relationship, you and i spend a lot of ourtime relationship, you and i spend a lot of our time spanking about the tensions in the transatlantic relationship. but today was a reminder of the extraordinary political collaboration to pull off d—day and get all those troops over there. i think d-day is one of the

standout moments of history, and the organisation, the secrecy, the work that went on around here in portsmouth and southampton, and some of the other areas. to plan an operation of that scale involving so many people of so many different nations — everyone is out on their craft because they also want to salute these boys as they go out into the solent. so this is such a pa rt of into the solent. so this is such a part of british naval history — the british dockyard. i remember in the falklands war, although small aircraft seeing off those ships and welcoming them back to. this isjust such a part of history, but it was a collaboration. and it wasn'tjust the british and americans, it was also the canadians with lots of other nations that took part to make d—day possible. look, 75 years on,

the special relationship may not have the same existential threat that europe faced back in 1944. that those boys faced. that those boys faced on those ships. but the relationship is still important. we talk about the tensions in the relationship, and you and i have spoken about it over the last few days between donald trump and theresa may, and some of the issues. theresa may, and some of the issues. there were problems then! let's not sugar—coat the whole thing, there we re sugar—coat the whole thing, there were tensions between churchill and roosevelt. eisenhower and montgomery? what a prickly relationship that was! and roosevelt, after he first met churchill, held him in the lowest esteem. churchill made it his mission to get the americans on board secular i tell you what also stuck out to me as it also did on the 70th anniversary when the queen arrived on the beaches. she is part

of that generation, and she made that point today. and all those world leaders around the world — she commands the respect when she goes on stage, it's obvious. completely. look at the length of period that she has served this country, nearly seven decades now. she was a teenager, a car mechanic in the women's roman military in the second world war —— women's role military. she's part of that resilient generation. and people said after the 60th anniversary that that was it, there wouldn't be another celebration of d—day. and here we are at the 75th anniversary of d—day. the are at the 75th anniversary of d— day. the other are at the 75th anniversary of d—day. the other thing i think about d—day. the other thing i think about d—day that so interesting — i started my career down here on the south coast. the radio solent, i cove red south coast. the radio solent, i covered the 40th anniversary of d—day, and the affection — they

transformed british society, all these americans who came over to the shores, the wide—eyed people who said they'd never seen anything like it before. these young americans with the nylons and the chewing gum, all the rest of it. it opened britain up to the world. we were talking about that, the rationing that was on at this time, and a splash of colour that they created when they arrived here. thank you so much forjoining us, jon sopel. as he was pointing out, the queen of all of those royal leaders is the only one of those world leaders who was there today who served in the second world war. she actually is a vetera n. joining us now is the conservative mp iain duncan smith, whose father was a world war two fighter pilot. thanks so much forjoining us. tell us thanks so much forjoining us. tell us about your father, wilford george, who was a fighter pilot? actually he was known as of the time, because they never got around to his full name. he was like many

of them, starting atjust to his full name. he was like many of them, starting at just about the time of the battle of britain. he pretty much was flying in combat most of the world. he got five gallantry metals — i think that was close to a record. he was in combat it endlessly. he wasn't actually at d—day because by that stage he had come into the defence of malta and then italy. subsequently he flew top fighter cover for the americans when they landed in the south of france. people probably don't know this because it's been washed out in history, but there was a landing in the south of france at the same time just around the same time to distract the germans away from normandy. and he had to protect that and cover it as he went up the valley. so he was pretty much in combat all around — spitfires all the way, he was probably the second youngest group captain in the raf. he was 25 or something when he was commanding 2000 men. these are the

things you forget about with these guys, but they were all brave. he was very skilled with his hands and eyes, he was a great tennis player... we've been looking at the photographs of him as you've been speaking, and it occurs to me that we re speaking, and it occurs to me that were not just losing — speaking, and it occurs to me that were notjust losing — this is why the 75th anniversary so important, we arejust losing the 75th anniversary so important, we are just losing the veteran who served, but also the people who have a direct connection to the veterans who served. my parents lived through the second world war, and my children will have no one who was directly involved in the second world war. memory fades, and it's as important for us to keep that memory alive and pass it onto the next generation. i agree. iwas alive and pass it onto the next generation. i agree. i was listening tojon sopel earlier, generation. i agree. i was listening to jon sopel earlier, and generation. i agree. i was listening tojon sopel earlier, and i think it's important we go on doing this commemoration. because even if the la st commemoration. because even if the last person is no longer there, important that we do these —— we remind the next generation and the generation after that that the times they live in, for all the difficulties and squabbles from brexit in the other things — at the

end of it all, that generation faced the most incredible threat, which is beyond anything that most of my generation would have faced. i was in the army and many of my children's generally will test generation will face. it's the extension of decency and civility. you see it from the terrible death camps — you see it from the terrible death camps ‘ an you see it from the terrible death camps — an ideology that was so rooted in an evil way of life that it's very difficult for this generation to even fathom what it was like to then go out on those beaches. someone talked about the staggering organisation, but also the bravery — it's worth reminding us the bravery — it's worth reminding us that although the casualty rates of the second world war were not what they were in the first world war because it was more mobile, but actually at normal the micro normandy, the casual rate was equal to those like in the battle of the

psalm. it was a very slow and nasty, the germans threw everything they could to get them off the beaches. the death toll on both sides was absolutely staggering. it was only when they finally broke through that that got back under control. but it was a lot of young lives that went over and was a lot of young lives that went overand died on was a lot of young lives that went over and died on the first day — may some have survived for 2—3 days, but the rate of 1 some have survived for 2—3 days, but the rate of1 million casualties was so the rate of1 million casualties was so high that they had to take units out of the line because they couldn't function any more. you forget, these are young men who had never before fired their guns and anger, and they had to land under a beach dish on a beach under a hail of lit fire. and all they have to back them up as someone shouting at them. they had to not let their country down, that's preview for you just bravery for you. we expect to see a spitfire from the air force

from the memorial flight — that spitfire will go around them three times. i want to talk to a little bit about the state visit, because i know you were talking about donald trump yesterday. you are invited to see him, can you share with us what you discussed? i said to him and promised him i wouldn't go into the detail about what we discussed at the time out of her wrist discourtesy. i can give you a general sense. i've been trying to get to see him to talk about what's going on not from a candidate standpoint or from anybody else, but when you look at it, just from where we are in terms of the uk as well as the brexit process. so we talked about that, as well as future trade deals. i was quite struck by trump's general warmth towards the uk. i think maybe since bush, but certainly since ronald reagan, i

don't think britain has had a better friend certainly since ronald reagan, maybe george bush as well. but in other words, someone who really appreciates the nature of the relationship. i hate the word special in these things, because it is special but it's special not because we say so, is special but it's special not because we say so, but because the two nations were conceived really almost as back—to—back mirror images of each other where the american constitution was set up to rectify the imbalances and hours. and they have their own particular problems as well as the same for us. of the one binding thing between these two countries is the incredible sense of natural rights, the support for freedom, worship, speech, allthese things that have always been built in these two countries right from the word go. and in some senses, this is why i felt he reflected that —he this is why i felt he reflected that — he hada this is why i felt he reflected that — he had a real sense of that, and i think that was really what was happening in normandy. we were together with others, but

essentially the uk in the us, canada and others — all had the same basic principles deeply rooted in the constitution so i feel quite right. thank you very much for that, good to get your thoughts this evening and hear the memories of your father. smithy. smithy, that's right. donald trump has moved on to the next stage of his trip, making his first visit to the republic of ireland as us president. he's been meeting with the irish prime minister, leo varadkar. ahead of those talks, trump outlined some of the topics he'd be discussing with mr varadkar — of course, brexit was on that list. probably you'll ask me about brexit, because ijust left some very good people that are very much involved with brexit, as you know, and i think it'll all work out very well and also for you, with your wall, your border. i mean, we have a border situation in the united states and you have one over here.

so... he seemed to be drawing some similarities there between the southern border in the border in ireland. i don't think he meant an actual wall, by the way secular perhaps not. trump will be spending the night at the irish golf resort he owns, doonbeg hotel and golf course. nuala mcgovern is there for us now. that should be something to celebrate, but they don't see eye to eye on brexit for some it doesn't seem like they see eye to eye on the border either? no they don't, i'm sure those comets will be picked up in the irish media over the next 12-24 in the irish media over the next 12—24 hours —— comments. when she left to be a fly on the walk was met because there are so many issues that unite these two because they are connected but they do not agree. particularly brexit, we've seen in the uk state visit that mr trump was saying no deal is better than no brexit — that would be catastrophic

for a place like ireland, a small island that depends so much on its two main trade relationships, the uk and the us. sol two main trade relationships, the uk and the us. so i think it would be something very much at odds. and with 30 minutes, i can see how they would go through all the issues that we re would go through all the issues that were listed to be talked or —— i can't see how. in the vip... mr varadkar wanted to meet mr trump, but trump wanted to meet at the golf course he owns. in fact ijust saw a marine one, the helicopter, make its way with mr trump about 20 minutes ago. they couldn't come to an agreement on where to meet, so they met in the lounge in shannon airport instead. where are you with me no equipment you are in dune bay, but this village — if you've seen some of the protests around, this is a place that is welcoming trump with open arms. you

place that is welcoming trump with open arms. you can see some place that is welcoming trump with open arms. you can see some people here who have decked themselves out in flags and red hats. some people are saying it to make dune bay great again, because the investment of the resort he owns just again, because the investment of the resort he ownsjust down the road, people feel it's changed the attitude completely and the lives of the people here in dune back. we have to lead to that they are. it doesn't bode terribly well when you can't even figure out a place to meet, let alone what you're actually going to talk about. there issues over a trade arrangement and whether there is a fight over the good friday agreement. americans are watching closely. andrew whitmarsh is the curator of the d—day museum here in portsmouth, and joins us now. and he knows everything about d—day, thanks very much for coming in to join us. given the sense of what was happening here — it was from those docs at these young men, some of them 17—19 years old, were heading

off this time 75 years ago. yes, actually by this point late on five june 75 years ago, a lot will have already loaded onto ships and anti—aircraft, and headed across the channel. how long with the journey take? along 24 hours, maybe not that long, but a fairly long time because you had to go with the slowest ships and you couldn't go in a direct line because they had to follow roots and been cleared of minds. and some of them had started setting sail on june the 4th because the weather had been bad but they were called back. what would that do to your nerves to be called back? it was the only window they had. it was the only window they had. it was the only window they had. it was the only window they had, there were a lot of conditions. it needed to be low tide, close to dawn with a full moon so tide, close to dawn with a full moon so the troops could land on the beachesjust so the troops could land on the beaches just after low tide. that was because the germans placed

office rs was because the germans placed officers on the beach to signal to the landing craft. by landing near low tide, they would be exposed. so it was quite a narrow window. the breezes blowing across a so it's quite cold. but sinking one of the most interesting things about the production today with that theatre production today with that theatre production of the discussions between dwight eisenhower and his chief meteorologist, james stagg, who had an enormous pressure on his shoulders. the meteorologist couldn't agree amongst themselves, so couldn't agree amongst themselves, so it came down to eisenhower. his judgement of the forecaster's hmmfi judgement of the forecaster's forecast as to whether he should trust them. fortunately he did and it worked out. he really impressed on them, telling them they had their lives and their hands. if you call it wrong, it will affect morale

within the troops, it won't be able to be kept a secret because the word will be out. so there were lots of things that went into that decision? that yes, and if d—day had not worked or had gone badly in the troops had to be withdrawn, it couldn't have just been mounted again next week or the next month, it would take so long to prepare. this would have given the germans more time to strengthen their defences and give it some clues about where the allies would land. if they landed in normandy and it failed and had to withdraw, the chances were they would have to land again in normandy, or there would be again in normandy, or there would be a new lot to land somewhere else, which is getting towards being impossible. so they pretty much had one child to get it right. and they did. thank you very much forjoining us. did. thank you very much forjoining us. we say that so confidently today, but it was not given back then that they would actually manage to pull this off. we have to think about the landing, it's notjust about the landing, it's notjust about getting onto the beach, but they had to get up the beach and the cliff face. when you stand there on

0maha beach and look at what they had to scale to get onto the beach heads, it's an incredible effort, particularly when the men were sick and tired, they were running out of ammunition. it was an extra ordinary achievement. the days after words we re achievement. the days after words were just as achievement. the days after words werejust as hard. this afternoon, nearly 300 paratroopers parachuted into normandy in honour of the comrades they lost 75 years ago. among that group was 95—year—old harry read. he recreated the jump that he made in the early hours ofjune 6, 1944. back then, harry read was a 20—year—old wireless operator, who dropped behind enemy lines in german—occupied northern france. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson has this report. just after midnight, 75 years ago tonight, a dark constellation appeared in the night sky above france. thousands of allied troops dropped quietly into nazi occupied territory. signalling the invasion that changed world war ii. among the troops dropped

into normandy that night was harry read, a 20—year—old signaller with the sixth airborne division. today, harry, now 95, prepared to repeat his jump over normandy in honour of the d—day anniversary. you had to push hard enough to miss the back of the hull, so that your parachute didn't push you forward. that banged your nose on the other side. which they called "ringing the bell", by the way. the young paratroopers were told they had to complete their mission, whatever the cost. before he took his place in the dakota, in seat number 12, harry took a moment to absorb the risks he was facing. there was an almighty fireworks display going on just ahead of us. it wasn't, of course, fireworks. and we were going straight into it. immediately we were assailed by the shelling and the tracer

bullets, and all of the stuff they got us with. it was an horrendous inferno to go into. harry took off from duxford airfield today and flew towards the french coast, with fellow veteran jock hutton. paras, he said, learned to keep going when other people stop. 75 years from when harry first dropped into france, he is proving that again today. lucy williamson, bbc news, normandy. i wouldn't do that at my age. i wouldn't do that at my agelj i wouldn't do that at my age. i was thinking he must have better knees than me. harry is stilljumping, we will leave you with these pictures of the boudicca which is carrying 255 vetera ns of the boudicca which is carrying 255 veterans back to normandy. many of these veterans have never been back to normandy, this is the first chance that they will go and revisit

— they are being escorted out by a naval escort, including a canadian warship. there they go on their way to normandy. just like this, 75 yea rs to normandy. just like this, 75 years ago. you're watching beyond 100 days. 0ur weather is an changeable mood. no one day the same as the date that preceded it. certainly a big contrast today with what seems like this in northern ireland after a month's this in northern ireland after a months worth of rain. sunny seems like this across parts of england and wales. that's because we've seen low pressure in this secluded front in dominant across scotland and northern ireland using the micro easing through the day. now we have this system pushing through the east of france. 0utbrea ks this system pushing through the east of france. outbreaks of rain into this evening with 1— to heavy showers breaking out in the south. sunshine for many this evening, rain nowhere near as heavy as it has been

today. for through tonight across weather western scotland, 1—2 showers inland, but clear skies and lighter winds. northwest england will see to drop the lowest. for most single figures in a fresh start to your thursday commute. lots of sunshine to begin with on thursday, but after a dry star it turns wet again. not a split in northern ireland but heavy showers pushing in. we will see some showers break out across england and wales, particularly in the west with some heavy and thunder. a fair amount of sunshine brightening up scotland after a cloudy morning, temperatures like today for most into the teens. thursday night into friday, all fires, her eyes on this area of low pressure. touching 70—80 mph, but it will extend towards us in the form of some wet and windy weather. sprinting northwards across england and wales, don't be fooled by the

morning sunshine where you have it. that rain will spread its way northwards with heavy persistence. thundershowers across the south later. eventually rain into the afternoon, but the rest of northern ireland and parts of scotland, some sunshine with temperatures getting close to 20 celsius in the highlands of scotla nd close to 20 celsius in the highlands of scotland letter. wet weather to start the weekend in scotland before easing away in sunday. what that means is that for many, we will see some rain across and northern ireland on saturday, turning to showers on sunday, showers becoming more prolific week. see you soon.

this is beyond 100 days. i'm katty kay with christian fraser in portsmouth. the queen and donald trump have been in the city, commemorating the 75th anniversary of d—day. they were joined there by other heads of state and government, to honour the troops who risked and sacrificed their lives in the d—day landings. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country, indeed, the whole free world, that i say to you all — thank you.

some of those veterans are currently making their way across the channel on a specially comissioned ship, retracing their journey across the english channel, as part of the commemorations. president trump moves onto ireland — he says brexit could be very, very good for the country. ..it will all work out very well. also for you, with your wall, your border. i mean, we have a border situation in the united states, and you have one over here. plus, we'll be speaking to stacey abrams — who narrowly lost the race to be governor of georgia — to see how democrats are viewing trump's trip with 2020 just round the corner.

this is a special edition of beyond 100 days coming from portsmouth where world leaders havejoined the queen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the d—day landings. figures from every country that fought alongside the uk have been here — and they agreed to make a joint statement pledging to ensure the "unimaginable horror" of world war two will never be repeated. the d—day landings were the largest combined land, airand naval operation in history. up to 7,000 ships delivering more than 150,000 allied troops to five beaches along the normandy coast of nazi occupied france. pomp and pageantry were on full display in portsmouth to mark 75

yea rs of display in portsmouth to mark 75 years of one of the most audacious displays of military intervention in history. some of those who fought were also here, grandfathers or great—grandfathers now, reliving their part in the mission of supreme daring and bravery. we shall fight on the beaches... we shall fight on the landing ground... over 30,000 men were at work... they watched the retelling of that story, the largest assault by land, air, and sea in history. when british and commonwealth troops, along with their american allies, crossed in the dark to the shores of normandy to begin the liberation of german occupied france. the free men of the world are marching together to victory... it was an act of international cooperation which led to the ultimate allied victory against the nazis. among the world leaders, in attendance was president trump on the final day of his uk visit. he read the words of wartime predecessor, franklin d roosevelt. almighty god, our sons,

pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavour. a struggle to preserve our public, our religion, and our civilisation, and to set free a suffering humanity. it wasn't all solemnity, there was a foot—tapping boogie—woogie, part of a celebration of the cultures of the countries which fought and won. # he was a famous trumpet man from out chicago way # he had a boogie style that no one else could play # he was the top man at his craft # and then his number came up and he was gone with the draft # #he's in the army now, a—blowin‘ reveille #. but the focus of the day was the veterans, men like john jenkins, portsmouth resident and former platoon sergeant. now 99, he brought everyone, including the queen, to their feet.

i was terrified, i think everybody was, you don't show it, but it's there. i look back on it as a big part of my life. it changed me in a way. and europe is vastly changed too with the german chancellor, angela merkel, looking on, part of the face of a modern day peacetime continent. she watched her british counterpart, theresa may, in one of her last public engagement as leader of her party, read a letter from a british captain, written to his wife days before being killed in normandy. third june, 1944, my darling, this is a very difficult letter for me to write. "as you know, something may happen at any moment, and i cannot tell "when you will receive this. "please give my fondest love to my anne and myjamie. "god bless and keep

you all safe for me." # we'll meet again. # don't know where, don't know when. as the wartime anthem was heard in the arena, it was up to the queen to bring the ceremony to a close. it is with humility and pleasure, on the half of the entire country, indeed the whole free world, that i say to you all, thank you. for the veterans, a chance later to meet the queen and president trump. while members of the public who had watched the event from outside the arena gave it their warm approval. i thought it was amazing, i thought it was a good turnout from portsmouth, and a good quality service. what did this mean to you, watching this today? very proud, very proud. this was their day, a moving tribute to the men

who fought with such courage, and to their fallen comrades who fought at such cost. reeta chakrabarti, bbc news. a lovely moment. it was a lovely moment. there were so many good stories in production today. the one that got me was the 16—year—old resista nce that got me was the 16—year—old resistance fighter who wrote his last letter home to his parents and it was said that his hands were shaking because he was about to be executed and he said the reason his writing was so bad is because he only had a pencil. some lovely stories. let's show you some live shots of the veterans on mv boudicca. they have been escorted by the royal navy out into the channel this evening. we are still waiting to see the spitfire which will fly

around them. it is going to go around them. it is going to go around them. it is going to go around them three times from the battle of britain memorial flight. if we see that we will bring it to you. we're joined now from washington by heather conley — former state department official who is now the director of the europe programme at the center for strategic & international studies. thank you forjoining us. there was a moment in the report we just saw it all the stories that were so poignant where the actors and the dancers came on and started dancing and it made me think of what britain must have felt like when suddenly 2 million americans turned up an a bscess million americans turned up an abscess i'm going to pause for a second because there is the spitfire that we promised. described how america transformed britain in the second world war with that optimism and all the things they brought with them? you

absolutely right. this is such an important message of america's national story and narrative of coming to europe, that the liberation but reallyjoining in such close unity with our british allies. reading reports of the handing out candy and gum because it was rationed and british children didn't have it. that sign of welcome but the strength of purpose and unity, that is what the day is about. that is what the queen's messages about, together we can solve major challenges and we can't do this by ourselves. it isjust such a powerful imagery. what a moment for our two nations. isn't this just the shot. the lonely spitfirejust this just the shot. the lonely spitfire just crossing the channel. we just lost those pictures for a

second. i will mention something about donald trump, sorry to put a downer on it. he was standing in front of a picture of franklin d roosevelt reading elegant prose, the prayer that he sent to the american boys that were here on the uk on the eve of d—day. this morning as he was heading to the commemoration he is tweeting insults at bette midler who has been a constant critic and chuck schumer. when you read that you'd think about the stature of the old leaders, roosevelt and eisenhower, and compare it to the tweets that he is sending out today. what a lot of americans not reflect on that?” think they will. it simply takes away from the majesty and the importance of this moment. it takes away focus on the american veterans that were not only present in

portsmouth today but to honour the memory of those. the president will visit in the cemetery. this is what we mean by remaining presidential. that the office of the president is so important because she represents 350 million americans. itjust reduces the value of that. i hope president trump in that incredible service today, what he will do tomorrow in normandy well i hope strengthen his resolve to not fall into pettiness and that type of discourse and stay focused on the importance of american values. but unfortunately he slips back into what he very typically does and how he responds to criticism and to others. it is unfortunate and i hope you can do better at least tomorrow. the spitfire saying goodbye to the boudicca as its crosses with the vetera ns boudicca as its crosses with the veterans over towards normandy. have we had one form of relationship in

the last few years between the united kingdom and united states and now we are heading to a different era in that relationship? —— the last 75 years. we have been feeling long and hard about this and it feels it is the end of a 70 year era where the united states was a benign power that created these incredible international structures, alliances like nato. and really held up the stability of the international system. 0ver stability of the international system. over the last several years america doesn't want to be burdened by that anymore. it either once other countries to accept a greater share of the burden orjust want retreat, that isolationism that seems to be in our dna and was in our dna since before roosevelt committed the united states to the second world war and the liberation of europe. i think it feels that way. we have to fight for this. we

have to fight for strong multilateralism where nations work together to fight big challenges. unfortunately president trump has a very different view of america first which is america alone. i think he is finding that by being alone it is harderand harderto do is finding that by being alone it is harder and harder to do the things he wishes to accomplish. thank you very much indeed. we should reflect that ian duncan smith who spent time in his company yesterday said he can think of a president that had more affection for the special relationship since reagan. what did democrats make to what happened this week. no doubt the pictures of him and the queen are a godsend for gearing up for the next campaign. perhaps our next guest can shed some light. she was involved in one of the most high profile races in last year's midterms, for the governor of georgia.

stacey abrams was ultimately defeated, narrowly missing out on becoming the first ever african american female governor. but that certainly hasn't stopped her being vocal on a number of issues facing georgia and further afield. ms abrams joins us now from atlanta. ijust want i just want to ask you first of what you have made of president trump's first state visit to the united kingdom? i think the concern about the end of an era is more pervasive. this is one president and it can't shatter a 75 year history. my hope is that those who have witnessed his performance both in england and at home that we understand there is a larger constructed to being an american than simply one person's twitter feuds. we are large and much vibrant nation and we hold to the language of franklin d roosevelt that we are a united world with a common purpose. were you one of the

couple of dozen democrats who are running to unseat donald trump, would you be concerned that the images of him with the queen and him playing the part of a statement abroad would help his reputation at home and make it harder to win the white house for the democrats?” would if he had not have incited a feud with the mayor of london before he landed and began very solemn and celebratory day with an unnecessary feud with an actor. i think we as americans are very clear on the multifaceted nature of donald trump and what he will be held to is whether he performed the service of president for all americans and i think when that is adjudicated he will not prevail. since we are talking about the race in 2020, we should ask you are you still contemplating running?” should ask you are you still contemplating running? i am indeed.

lam not contemplating running? i am indeed. i am not in contemplating running? i am indeed. lam not ina contemplating running? i am indeed. i am not in a hurry to make a decision. not because i don't believe it is an important one but because my focus right now is making sure whoever the democratic nominee is that we have a fair fight and an electoral system that meets the ideals of america. right now voter suppression is rampant in our nation. i want to make sure we do the work necessary that whoever the nominee is they have a fair fight in the 2020 election. some of the opinion pieces i have read today in the american press aren't particularly glowing about donald trump. if you were to run or if you we re trump. if you were to run or if you were to advise one of the other democratic candidates, would you say focusing on donald trump would be a mistake as magid seems to me you have to more than that.” mistake as magid seems to me you have to more than that. i completely agree. you don't run against a candidate. you run for america. we need a leader of vision, one that

understands our relationships and responsibilities but also recognises the need to protect our people at home. that means protecting us in guaranteeing health care, access to economic opportunity, protecting people who live here and showing the world that we are still part of an international order that helped create one of the greatest expansions of economy and freedom in the world's history. your states, georgia, has been the focus recently of enacting very tough abortion laws. what would you do if you are running as a democrat to reverse those laws? i'm assuming that that is something you would like to see happen because you have spoken about this in the past. a number of democratic candidates have been very clear about this. we need to pass unequivocal federal legislation that guarantees the right to choice in the united states and doesn't delegate that power to the states. we know that if you are a woman who lives in georgia or north carolina

in new york that you should enjoy the same freedoms. this is one of these fundamental freedoms in america, the rights to privacy and the right to choice and it shouldn't be left to whoever wins the election ona be left to whoever wins the election on a state level or someone who decides to use it as a political pawn. forced pregnancy is not consistent with who we are and our values. we need federal legislation and we need that immediately so there is a settled determination in our country that every woman has the right to control her body. as you are talking about that i was just thinking that it was brian kemp who became governor who signed it into law. he signed the bill into law. presumably you wouldn't have signed it. am i right? absolutely. i would have vetoed that bill and i would have vetoed that bill and i would have engaged georgians in a conversation. we know from polling that most georgians do not support the bill. we have seen in the

consequences of our economy that we are potentially going to you lose thousands ofjobs in our state. when women and young people are making their decisions about where they want to bring business and families georgia should be on the list. as governor i would have takena the list. as governor i would have taken a real opportunity to have a thoughtful conversation with all of our people and make certain that we are working together and not creating a defensive issue that will harm most georgians. —— divisive. it isa harm most georgians. —— divisive. it is a terrible outcome and it only exacerbates maternal mortality rates which are among the highest in the nation. when you look at the polls at the moment in the democratic race, the two people out in front consistently are race, the two people out in front consistently a re two race, the two people out in front consistently are two white men in their 70s. the other person who might win the presidency next time around is another white man in his 70s. what do you make of that and is

there a place for a younger african—american woman to break that mould and get through into the top tier? i believe it is absolutely possible. let's remember that we are very early in the process.” possible. let's remember that we are very early in the process. i think we have lost stacey abrams and i wa nted we have lost stacey abrams and i wanted to get the answer to that. that is a shame. we would like to get her back because we want to hear that. there is a lot of frustration amongst democratic women that it is the men getting through and not the women. it sounded to me like she was going to be positive and say yes and it is early on. she has said in georgia that the vote was slim margin. 55,000 votes in the election of4 margin. 55,000 votes in the election of 4 million is a very narrow margin. she gave the democratic rebuttal to present trump's state of the union. she is someone they tried to persuade to run for the senate.

2020 though? 2020 may be too soon but there is no harm in putting your name out there and getting some recognition. why isjoe biden ahead in the polls? partly because people know who he is. when you run you get publicity and you get to talk in those debates and you get some attention. it is interesting that she has told she still hasn't ruled that out. the national museum of the royal navy is based here in portsmouth and we'rejoined now by it's curator of aircraft, david morris. we are going to talk about an aircraft you have just lifted from the bottom of the sea. it is quite a special aircraft. tell us about it. it is indeed. it is a barracuda which is a royal navy world war ii aircraft type and no other example exist that we know of today. we are reconstructing one at the museum. we

are piecing back together many pieces of barracuda from other crash sites which have been recovered over the years. the one that has been discovered in the solent was all thanks to the national grid's interconnected project running electricity cables between the from france and the uk. without their accurate sea bed survey we may never have found it which is down there and which we are recovering quite literally at this moment in time. we've just seen one of the wings being lifted out of the sea. they we re being lifted out of the sea. they were laying this electric cable and that platform has been used to lift the aircraft from the bottom. do we know what happens to the crew and that aircraft? the pilot of the aircraft we believe, we believe the serial number is bv 739, escaped

unhurt. it was a forced landing. he had an engine problem after take—off and the aircraft hit the water. that is what is so significant, the aircraft is floated to the bottom of the sea bed and is in largely complete shape. a lot of the components will probably not be sufficiently strong enough to use in our rebuild but the information we will gather from an aircraft we can extract in large identifiable pieces will be hugely important to the project. how are you protected once it is all lifted out of the sea bed? sometimes you take it out of the protective nature of the bottom of the ocean and you get them out and they can disintegrate. absolutely. that is part of the challenge we have at the museum. we have got professional help from archaeologists, conservatives

nationwide who are going to be helping and advising what we can do when they come out of the sea water. thus my conservationist. thank you very much forjoining us. such a fitting time to have that aircraft lifted out. we are going to leave you from here on the docks at portsmouth with a look back on some of the most extraordinary moments of what has been a very moving day. very special day and working back. thank you for watching. we will see you next week. i was terrified. i think everyone was. you don't show it but it is there. i look back as a big part of our life. it changed me in a way. the free men of the world are marching together to victory. we shall fight on the beaches, we shall

fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and on the streets. that morning, they said, "we're going to give you the live ammunition and this is the real thing." just over 17 on that day. but we were in trouble and, like every other service, we were just doing ourjob. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country, indeed, the whole free world, that i say to you all — thank you.

0ur weather is in changeable mood. no one day is exactly the same as the day that precedes it as we go through to the weekend. today big contrasts with wet scenes like this in northern ireland after a month of rain. sunny scenes like this in parts of england and wales. that is because we have seen low pressure and this occluded fronts being dominant in scotland and northern ireland. easing in the day but as we had towards the end we have this weather system putting out of france, outbreaks of rain in the south—east corner and east anglia. 0ne south—east corner and east anglia. one or two showers in the south as well. lots of sunshine for many and pleasa nt well. lots of sunshine for many and pleasant enough where you have it. still some rain in western scotland and northern ireland but no where near as heavy as it has been. further through tonight we will see

heavy rain very close to the eastern coast of england with one or two showers inland as well. lighter winds for the rest of england and wales. for most single figure temperatures and a fresh start to your thursday commute. sunshine for many to begin with on thursday but after a dry start returns wetter. not as wet in northern ireland but heavy showers putting in. we will see some showers in england and wales. some of those heavy and thundery but a fair amount of sunshine as well and brightening up in scotland as well. temperatures like today for most into the teens. as we go through thursday night and into friday all eyes in this area of low pressure will stop it will be storming across france with damage and destruction possible. it will extend and influence to us as well with wet and windy weather spreading northwards across england and wales. don't be full by the morning sunshine where you have it. the rain

will spread its weight northwards. brightening up to sunshine and showers across the south later. rain into the afternoon in southern scotla nd into the afternoon in southern scotland and northern ireland. but in other parts of scotland it will be better with temperatures up to 20 degrees in the highlands later. wet weather on the weekend to start with in scotland especially before easing the way. that means that for many we will see rain in scotland and ireland on saturday turning to showers on sunday. try and write a further south.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the queen has beenjoined by other heads of state and government to pay tribute to those who changed the course of the second world war injune1944. 75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers sailors and airmen lifted the stories and the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the normandy landings gathered, most of them in their 90s, to remember the great military achievement in liberating europoe from nazi tyranny. i'm honoured to be stitched here today in front of 90 veterans,