winston churchill: this is...your victory! victory of the cause of freedom. 75 years on, the country remembers ve day — the end of world war two in europe. the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall lead the commemorations, laying wreathes at balmoral. a two minute silence is observed around the country, to honour the men and women who gave their lives during six years of war. large gatherings like those of 1945 have been cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown — but the day is being marked in other ways. # we're going to hang out the

washing on the siegfried line...# some communities are still managing to hold socially distanced celebrations. it's amazing what can happen in these situations. creativity can burst out. and coming up on bbc news, relegation—threatened premier league clubs continue to oppose playing their remaining matches at neutral venues. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. a two minute silence has been held across the united kingdom to commemorate the 75th anniversary of ve day.

events are taking place all day, but public gatherings have been cancelled as the country remains in lockdown because of coronavirus. victory in europe day marks the day in 1945 when britain and its allies accepted the unconditional surrender of nazi germany, bringing the war in europe to an end. the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall led the silence from balmoral — and the queen will address the nation this evening. our first report is from our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. in the streets largely deserted due to the lockdown, britain remembered and gave thanks for the day when the second world war in europe came to an end. the nation's tribute was led by the prince of wales with the duchess of cornwall at the war memorial on the balmoral estate. a cannon memorial on the balmoral estate. a cannon at edinburgh castle marked the start of a two—minute silence

and carefully managed moments of remembrance across the nation. at balmoral, is the silence ended, the prince of wales laid his wreath in tribute to the second world war generation which overcome the tyranny of nazi germany. the cost had been high. nearly 400,000 members of britain's armed services lost their lives in the second world war, and a further 60,000 civilians. 0ver over the white cliffs near dover,

two spitfires, the wartime fighter aircraft which played such a key role in the defence of britain, flying today in remembrance of the few, linking the community over which they flew with the events of 75 years ago. a man who led the english to victory in an earlier time. at the very centre of the commonwealth of nations. crowds below him, rejoicing day and night. 0n below him, rejoicing day and night. on this day in 1945, many tens of thousands of people took to the streets in joyous celebration that the war in europe was over. the contrast with those same streets todayis contrast with those same streets today is striking. mass commemorations have been made impossible but the nation's remembrance has been made all the more poignant by the coronavirus losses. all of us, who were born since 1945, are acutely conscious that we are everything we most value

to the generation who won the second world war. we remember the millions of people from across the united kingdom, from across the world, who came together in world war ii to fight for our shared values. values of freedom, of democracy, of peace. 75 years after the end of the second world war, a nation in lockdown looked beyond its present challenges to give thanks. thanks which will be expressed tonight in a special broadcast by the queen. nicholas witchell, bbc news. events are planned throughout the uk today, but the commemorations are taking a different tone, with large gatherings cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic and people urged to celebrate at home. but that's not preventing the occasion from being marked in style. duncan kennedy is in portsmouth for us. you join us at the home of the royal

navy. 0ver my shoulder is the memorial to those who served in the royal navy and also the merchant navy. worth remembering something like 50,000 members of the royal navy died during the course of the second world war and although today is one for celebration with all those ve day parties taking place this morning and this afternoon, we should also remember those who didn't come home. last post plays staring out from the portsmouth naval memorial, the list of some of those who couldn't come back and celebrate ve day. this morning, they made their absence felt on this national day of commemoration.

i think ithink our i think our veterans need to be reminded how thankful we are for what they have achieved and what they have done. i think it's also important to let them know they still inspire us today from that generation. off the coast of dover, where spitfires and hurricanes once defended the nation, the red arrows soared over, thrilling those below. in rutland, 96—year—old second world war glider ken 0dell marking his own silence in his own way. —— glider vetera n. silence in his own way. —— glider veteran. with today's two—minute silence came the first of the nationwide street parties. this was chester. coronavirus was not part of the planned ve day events so here and everywhere celebration has come with safety. this street would

normally be having a big street party a nyway, normally be having a big street party anyway, so why don't we try and do something here? we we waited until after the nhs clapped, we had a drink, and i said, who fancies some singing. at wellington in surrey they are getting ready for their party. up goes the bunting to connect with a nation's mood of gratitude and relief at war‘s end. connect with a nation's mood of gratitude and relief at war's endlj think the sacrifices people made backin think the sacrifices people made back in 1939—45, without them we wouldn't be living in the world we are today. this is a special moment, shared, collective. 0n ve day, winston churchill said, even if it isa winston churchill said, even if it is a hard struggle, we will not be the ones who fail. we didn't fail. now we mark that perseverance, determination and will to overcome.

studio: duncan kennedy there. in a minute we'll hear about how france and russia are marking ve day, but first jenny hill is in berlin for us. 75 years ago, the reichstag was in ruins, berlin was destroyed and germany defeated. today, berliners have a public holiday as this country commemorates not victory over, but liberation from, the nazis. germany's past still overshadows society and politics today. it's one of the reasons, for example, that germany has been reluctant to assume a more significant military role in overseas conflicts. today, 1600 international guests should have gathered here for commemorations. instead, because of the corona outbreak, events are rather more low—key. but today is still a chance for this country to reflect on the atrocities perpetuated in its name which, to this day, for many germans, remain a great source of shame.

well, in russia, it's may 9th which is celebrated as victory day, and it was a victory secured at enormous cost here. more than 27 million soviet citizens were killed in what russians refer to as the great patriotic war. and normally on victory day there are big patriotic events taking place all over russia. but not this year. coronavirus has forced the kremlin to postpone what was going to be a massive military parade on red square and a big public event in the city centre afterwards. but president putin will be making an address to the russian people and there will be a fly past by the russian air force, 75 aircraft to mark 75 years since the defeat of nazi germany. never in 75 years of commemorations has the tomb of the unknown soldier here at the arc de triomphe been so empty. no crowds of dignitaries and onlookers, just a small group

of ministers carefully spaced around president macron. at a time when people are talking about about solidarity in crisis, a lot about solidarity in crisis, world war ii brings up mixed memories for france. joy at liberation but also shame at the years of occupation that preceded it. 75 years ago today, that was something general charles de gaulle, then leader of the free french, understood. he framed the war as a story of national resistance to replace the memories of division and defeat. this morning, president macron laid a wreath at the statue of charles de gaulle here in paris. he's called on people to hang the colours of the french flag from their windows and balconies. a moment of shared european history remembered today in isolation. lucy williamson ending that report. we will have more about ve day later in the programme.

at the start of the bank holiday weekend, the westminster and devolved governments have played down suggestions that there could be a significant loosening of the lockdown restrictions. it follows accusations that there have been mixed messages about easing the measures. in the last hour, the welsh government unveiled minor changes, following a review that otherwise left the lockdown in place. the prime minister borisjohnson, will address the country on sunday. our political correspondent helen catt has the latest. on another bank holiday, these streets would be full of people out enjoying some may sunshine. not today. lockdown restrictions have been extended again in all four nations of the uk. but political leaders are now looking very cautiously to what comes next, and in wales the rules are being tweaked, starting monday. to allow people to be able to go outside to exercise more than once a day, but we will strengthen our regulations to make it clear that that exercise must be local.

our second planned change to the regulations will be to allow garden centres to open, provided that the two metre social distancing rules can be applied. and thirdly, we propose changing the regulations to allow local authorities to begin planning how safely to reopen libraries and municipal recycling centres. on sunday the prime minister will set out a plan for a gradual easing of restrictions in england, to move the uk towards a new normal. but his government's been accused of allowing mixed messages to develop. after borisjohnson told the commons some rules could change from next week, newspaper reports suggested greater freedoms. we have been clear all along that the message remains the same, people should stay at home in order to help protect the nhs and save lives. but equally, it is fair, people are rightly asking, well, as we get through the worst of this

peak, as we start to get it under control, where do we go next? so the prime minister on sunday will be setting out where we go next. but he'll be doing so in a cautious way. the government does plan to ditch the "stay home" slogan after the weekend. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has said that could be catastrophic. the four nations may now change rules at different speeds if they believe the transmission rate of the virus differs across the country. on first steps, like loosening rules on exercise, they are considering similar moves, though. i would put going out more for exercise in the open air as a nuanced change, rather than a fundamental change. so i think that those things can be looked at during the three weeks. any changes will be monitored and no nation is suggesting an overnight lifting of lockdown. it's not a one—way street, either. rules could be tightened again if cases started to rise. helen catt, bbc news. our wales correspondent hywel griffith is in cardiff for us.

explain more about what mark dra keford has been explain more about what mark drakeford has been outlining?m explain more about what mark drakeford has been outlining? in the last hour he has set out what he has called small and modest changes. anyone expecting a grander unlock will be disappointed. it is barely a twist of the key. what we will have in wales from monday onwards are just three changes, possibly noteworthy the fact that people can go outside to exercise as much as they want, not just go outside to exercise as much as they want, notjust once a day, based on the idea that the transmission of coronavirus is pretty limited in outdoor spaces. the other two measures, garden centres the other two measures, garden ce ntres ca n the other two measures, garden centres can begin to reopen and cancel clinically start to plan the reopening of light present recycling centres, but everything else impacting on schools and workplaces states the same. the stay at home message remains in place, whatever mood music we made here from england. the welsh government can make it own decision unlocked and, of course, and by doing it a couple

of course, and by doing it a couple of days ahead of borisjohnson it is playing on a political dynamic. first minister mark drakeford was asked what he thought borisjohnson might say on sunday, whether they would be the same minor changes. he suggested it is up to england to make its own mind up that he thought given they have the same scientific advice it may well be the same incremental change that people in england should expect. only boris johnson can answer that, of course, on sunday. thank you, hywel griffith in cardiff. many thousands of people who catch covid—19 will experience only mild symptoms. but for those who become very ill and need admission to intensive care, recovery can take weeks or even months. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports. mountain biking is roy burton's passion, but afterfalling ill with covid—19, this previously fit and healthy 53—year—old is a shadow of his former self. as he became sick, roy needed help with his breathing. six days in intensive care followed.

now, back at home, he is struggling with the reality of rehabilitation. when i first came home, i just took everything off and my partner helped me have a shower. and just doing that, ijust had to sit and rest. i just couldn't breathe. and then the next stage was to get myself to bed. absolutely shattering. just no energy, not enough oxygen going in. and its notjust the physical aftermath of the virus that has hit roy hard. there's other mental scars of covid—19. you're constantly worried. are you going to infect somebody? are you still infected? are you going to get it again? both the virus and the treatment needed to save a life can have a profound impact on patients. lungs, muscles, even brain function can all be affected by an extended period in intensive care. we're getting stories about all sorts of issues. these could be physical,

psychological, cognitive. for instance, your loss of muscle bulk meant you were very weak. very often if you've been sedated for heavy lengths of time, you could have what we call psychological problems such as post—traumatic stress disorder. david is one of those who faces a long period of recovery. only two days before this was filmed, he still needed help with his breathing. now he's working with physiotherapists to help him get back to where he was. it can take some critical care patients up to 18 months to really, truly get back to their normal selves psychologically, strength—wise, fatigue—wise. so he's got a long road ahead of him, but he is doing a really good job. and there is a warning that a growing number of patients like david are going to need a lot of help in the coming months. i think what's really important at the moment is to start planning for that, and to think about a long—term rehabilitation strategy,

to enable the population to get back to full health and recovery. for many people, the battle to survive covid—19 wasjust the beginning. they have a long campaign ahead of them. dominic hughes, bbc news. give us a thumbs up, david. yeah! as we've been reflecting, the pandemic has meant no large parties or parades have been allowed to commemorate ve day. instead, people are being encouraged to hold tea parties in their homes, or have socially distanced street parties. with more, here's our correspondent phil mackie. this is quite typical of scenes across the country, i suppose, today. lots of colourful flags and bunting as people prepare to come into their front bunting as people prepare to come into theirfront gardens bunting as people prepare to come into their front gardens at three p m for into their front gardens at three p mfora into their front gardens at three p

m for a socially distance commemoration. we are here because thatis commemoration. we are here because that is rusty waughman, a world war ii veteran who flew lancaster bombers. he should have been at the roll—out toll, but instead his family will gather at 3pm, like most people across the country, to mark that moment, 75 since ve day. what are we going to do with these? they are getting the bunting ready and the flags are out. have you got your medals, dad? today's commemorations at his home in kenilworth are particularly poignant for rusty waughman. a lancaster bomber pilot who survived 30 missions. losses on our squadron were the highest of any bomber command station, because we were used on every bombing raid that went out. on your 13th operation you got a few days leave, you had to be unlucky when out of the way. when i came back, all the senior staff in the flight squadron were gone. raf lancasters of bomber command fly through a curtain of heavy flak. rusty flew his first mission with 101 squadron during the battle of berlin at the end of 1943,

when barely half the planes that set out on a raid came back. he flew his last mission on d—day and spent the rest of the war as a pilot instructor. when ve day came around, he and his crew were stationed in nottinghamshire and set out to celebrate. we drank the mess dry, so we went to find a pub somewhere. my fiancee and several of the lads and girls, we walked across the fields, across a little stream, to the normanton arms, and we drank that dry. here we are 75 years later. how do you feel now looking back? you realise how bloody lucky you are. it really is an awful lot of luck. rusty is a living connection for later generations to another great national emergency. the silence they observed this morning was a time to remember the greatest of sacrifices. phil mackie, bbc news,

kenilworth. a reminder of our top story... the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall lay wreathes at balmoral, as the country commemorates 75 years since ve day. we will have continuing coverage of the commemorations through the afternoon on the bbc news channel. from the team, it is goodbye from all of us. hope you enjoy your bank holiday. now wejoin good afternoon, you are watching bbc news. people all over the uk are commemorating the 75th anniversary of ve day — the day when nazi germany surrendered to allied forces and the second world war in europe

was declared over. the prince of wales led the country in a national two minutes' silence. bagpipes play

some of the commemorations we saw this morning celebrating ve day.

much more to come over the course of the day. an unusual way to celebrate, so much planned, so many large—scale public gatherings but, sadly, they have had to be cancelled. marking a hugely important day, and a reminder that the queen, we will hear from the a reminder that the queen, we will hearfrom the queen a reminder that the queen, we will hear from the queen later this evening. she will address the nation tonight. we will have full and continuing coverage of all the events throughout the day as you would expect. this afternoon, let us start now coverage. no one better to speak to historian dan snow. let's talk more about the significance of the day

with historian dan snow. in many ways, we think of today as one of enormous celebration, perhaps because of those famous black and white images we are familiar with, the scenes in central london. i am interested from your perspective whether you feel there should be a bit more reflection as well as thinking of it as a period of celebration? suddenly a lot of section in 1945. of course there were parties, bonfires all over the country, much talked about at the time because there had been six years of blackout, you weren't allowed to shine lights at night. they lit up the landscape, especially in bomb craters, often burning effigies of adolf hitler. there were parties, but a huge amount of reflection. 4 million homes damaged, so many

people killed, people with loved ones are still fighting in the far east against the japanese which would go on for another three months. there was relief, reflection, people who were traumatised. and some partying as well. it then went into a period of enormous change. it then went into a period of enormous change. it is remarkable how much changed in this country in a relatively short space of time, after this period, these black and white images. winston churchill being cheered, in whitehall there, which had looked so dark and dismal, particularly in 1940 and 1941. within two months, winston churchill elected the first socialist government voted in with

an ambitious plan to build that new jerusalem, to create the nhs, social housing, a safety net and bring parts of the economy under state control. ve day is a hugely important end of a chapter but the beginning of another. you bring that to life so vividly. you bring that to life so vividly. you are so steeped in this. it is interesting you are even now discovering things about your own family and its role in this period. iam family and its role in this period. i am lucky to meet lots of wonderful historians, to make programmes, i am stealing their best ideas. the ancestry genealogical service, eve ryo ne the ancestry genealogical service, everyone can check out their records. i had never looked into my

grandfather's wartime journey. he was on convoy escort vessels. exciting stories but his ship did not play a central part in the war. i even found some pictures of him. doing that research connected me with him. it turns out he was modest, he did take part in some hairy moments in the mediterranean coming underair hairy moments in the mediterranean coming under air attack. i hairy moments in the mediterranean coming underairattack. i miss hairy moments in the mediterranean coming under air attack. i miss him very much. he died ten years ago. it added a huge amount of meat to the bones of the stories he told me about the war. any family watching you right now could do that, take time this weekend to perhaps learn something they did not know about their own family, their own grandparents and great grandparents who could have done remarkable things. the internet is one of the most

powerful tools created by humans. for me, it was weird seeing the name of my grandfather. looking at his records, he has, he had a life, a human in his own right, a lieutenant commander in the canadian navy, a doctor, a man i knew and yet i had never realised he had left his own impression on history. wonderful to see those documents. you have the internet at your fingertips, do some research. if your grandparents are still alive, recall them on your phone is, you will never regret it. nighti night i was there that enough, record peoples memories and voices. —— none of us. one of the things i find fairly touching is that the people we are remembering, thanking, celebrating, some of those still

alive,