here at st paul's cathedral in central london — a service of thanksgiving to mark the queen's 70—year reign. but the queen herself was absent after experiencing discomfort during yesterday's celebrations. her majesty was represented by prince charles who joined other senior royals for this special jubilee church service. it was first public appearance in the uk for harry and meghan, the duke and duchess of sussex, in two years. during the service, tributes were paid to the queen's years of service. thank you for staying the course. thank you for continuing to be faithful to the pledges you made 70 years ago.

and as you can hear, the bells of st paul's are pealing and will be pealing continuously for four hours to mark this momentous occasion. our other main headlines this lunchtime: it's 100 days since russia launched its full—scale invasion of ukraine. and on the second day of the first test at lord's — england are bowled out after another disappointing display with the bat. good afternoon, and welcome to the bbc news at one from st paul's cathedral — where a service of thanksgiving honouring the queen's 70 years on the throne has been taking place. prince charles is representing the queen who withdrew from the event after experiencing

"discomfort" during yesterday's platinum jubilee celebrations. we understand that the queen is watching the service at home. it's the first major royal event prince harry and meghan have attended since stepping back from official duties. our first report today is from our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. a service of thanksgiving at st paul's cathedral without the person for his long years of service those banks were being offered. the queen was absent but other members of her family were present, and among them, the duke and duchess of sussex appearing together in public for the first time in britain since they withdrew from royal life and moved to california more than two years ago. there have been well documented tensions since then. sharp comments in interviews, but this was a day for the family to come together.

harry and meghan were taken to the length of the central aisle in st paul's to their seats with other members of the family, a family with which they have had only limited contact since they chose to leave britain. fanfare. fanfare. with a green absent, it was the duke and duchess of cambridge, the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall who processed through to lead the thanksgiving for the queen's reign. we come together in this cathedral church today to offer god thanks and praise for the reign of her majesty the queen, and especially for her 70 years of faithful and dedicated service. and it was that the more public service that was at the heart of the event. the congregation included 400 members of nhs staff and other key

workers from around the country. but it was the service of one person over 70 years highlighted in the salmon by the archbishop of york. he recalled one of the queen's principal private interests. we all know that the queen likes horse racing. and your majesty, i am rather assuming you are watching this on the television. and i am afraid i don't have any great tips for the derby tomorrow. but with endurance, through times of change and challenge, joy and sorrow, you continue to offer yourself in the service of our country and the commonwealth. your majesty, we are sorry that you are not here with us this morning. but we are so glad that you are

still in the saddle, and we are glad that there is still more to come. there was an act of commitment led by young people from all the countries of which the queen is head of state. rejoicing in the life and reign of elizabeth. — rejoicing in the life and reign of elizabeth, our— rejoicing in the life and reign of elizabeth, our queen. - elizabeth, our queen. finally, _ elizabeth, our queen. finally. a _ elizabeth, our queen. finally, a service - elizabeth, our queen. finally, a service of. elizabeth, our queen. _ finally, a service of thanksgiving for a monarch who is showing the signs of her 96 years. concluded with the national anthem. nicholas witchell, bbc news. well, i'm joined now by our royal correspondent daniela relph. the queen has been absent for this service. but we've seen many other members of the family. this has been one of the biggest services of its kind in years particularly for members of the royalfamily and particularly for members of the royal family and itself it became a

slightjudge of how the public mood was from the crowds outside st paul's cathedral. when they caught sight of the prime minister and his wife here, there was a distinct sound of booing from the crowd. booing. it was a chance to see the duke and duchess of sussex, harry and meghan, who we have not seen as part of any official royal engagement for two years. again a mixed reaction from the crowd, some cheering and some booing as they lingered on the great west steps of st paul's. inside, harry and meghan were sat with jack brooks and princess

eugenie. we did not see on camera any exchanges between prince william and his brother prince harry. no obvious things to see there. it is likely we will see more of harry and meghan over the weekend. the national service of thanksgiving here at st paul's this morning celebrated the queen's 70—year reign and lifetime of service. but it was also an opportunity to reflect on her personal faith, and how she's reached out to those of other beliefs. 0ur religion editor aleem maqbool reports. it is notjust st paul's cathedral. over the coming days right across the country, prayer services will be held for the queen. we pray for the church and the world, but especially for our patron her majesty the queen on this special week of celebration of her life and work. the queen holds the title of supreme governor of the church of england, and there is a sense she has led by example.

she has dedicated herself to the country. dedicated herself to the religion as well. and she lives her life by it. she teaches us to be constant, to believe. of course she has appointed bishops and archbishops as part of her role. but every year, in christmas broadcasts, there are insights into the way the queen's faith guides her more broadly. and those who have spent time in her presence talk of moments when that has shone through. and ijust found myself kneeling down and saying to her, - "will you say a prayer for me?" at this time, she stood up. because, normally, you kneel, she sits in the chair. _ she stood up. no word was said. about three minutes, and she said, amen. i i will never know what kind of prayer she prayed, - but ijust felt within myself, -

actually, i am in front of a very, very humble, holy person. in recent decades in particular, the queen has worked to include those of other faiths or no faith, visiting temples and synagogues and gurdwaras. and in 2002 she became the first monarch to visit a british mosque, in scunthorpe. afzal khan was the man who presented her with the koran then. he says now, and in the months of fear and division following 9/11 attacks, that visit had a profound impact. we were suffering in a way that we were frightened. we needed some sort of support from someone. and that support came in from the queen. and that gave us something that made us part of british society. after her visit, we were feeling that we are the same. it doesn't matter if anyone shouted at us, terrorists, we are still british.

that really had that big effect on you? yes, indeed. yes, yes. it is why today's service at st paul's wasn'tjust to give thanks for the queen's reign and herfaith, but it was also to pay tribute to her commitment to foster unity. aleem maqbool, bbc news. apart from the celebrations here, people in many communities have been having parties to mark thejubilee and enjoy the bank holiday. 0ur correspondent andy gill is at an event in preston in lancashire. welcome to preston in the broadgate area a short drive from the city. the green is the duke of lancaster so this has a special significance. the preparations for this street party were delayed because it threw it down in lancashire but they are

getting things together. robert is one of the organisers, hello. why did you want a street party here? because it is a small street, we all know_ because it is a small street, we all know everyone, for the last two years _ know everyone, for the last two years everybody has been stuck inside with covid, so it is also to celebrate — inside with covid, so it is also to celebrate the jubilee, 70 years, everyone — celebrate the jubilee, 70 years, everyone has been brought up without — without. what does the jubilee mean without. — what does the jubilee mean to you? what does thejubilee mean to you? it is special, the queen, we have known one queen, one minute, that is consistency. it is getting everyone together for the queen. what kind of activities will you have? have ? we have have? we have some old style games, tin can alley, all sorts of different things. good fun. thank you. back to you. andy gill. i'll be back a little

later in the programme. but now, back to lukwesa in the studio for the rest of the day's news. the ministry of defence says russia appears to have the initiative over ukraine in the battle for the eastern region of donbas. exactly 100 days since the invasion began, it says russia holds about 90 of the luhansk district — which makes up half of the donbas — and is likely to seize the remaining 10% in the next few weeks even though none of moscow's original war objectives have been achieved. 0ur correspondent james waterhouse reports from kyiv. a bubble of innocence in a world ruptured by war. however, he doesn't know any different. he was born on the 25th of february, the second day of this invasion, so what kind of ukraine

will he grow up in? our country is really good and maybe it is a price that we need to pay for our kids to live in a better world, in a better country. viktoriya ended up giving birth in this hospital basement, shielded from 50 other people. despite the turbulent start to her son's life, she is certain of the values she wants to instil. i told him to appreciate and to be grateful of the people of his country and try to keep the special ukrainian spirit. 100 days ago, the front line came to kyiv�*s doorstep. towns like irpin bore the brunt with people and pets desperate to get out. the russian troops ultimately couldn't get in. there is still, though, a giant question mark over whether they will come back for kyiv.

that hasn't put the city off, though, trying to heal. for some families, that will take time. 0ne ukrainian soldier killed while defending the city of slovyansk is taken to his final resting place. followed by his mother, vladyslava. bogdan was 26 years old. his first name means, "given by god", because his parents had waited so long to have a child. translation: we have to win, there is no other way. - there is no other way. we are going to win. this collective grief has not killed the fight. translation: we don't need the sky, ground or sea to be closed. _ let them come here. it will be easy to kill

them on our land. we need weapons, we will take care of the rest. and jamesjoins me now from kyiv. james the next 100 days, what are they likely to bring in this conflict?— they likely to bring in this conflict? , ~ , ., conflict? first i think it is going to be at least _ conflict? first i think it is going to be at least 100 _ conflict? first i think it is going to be at least 100 days. - conflict? first i think it is going - to be at least 100 days. volodymyr zelensky at the start of invaccination invasion said we are not going anywhere. today he said victory will be ours. whether he will be right is not clear. over what time frame isn't clear either. the kremlin has been equally vague, claiming to have achieved a number of on theives so far, adding it will

continue with this invasion. it will not concede any of the territory it has seized, a fifth of ukraine. this suggests the war will drag on and put ukraine in a position of decide ing whether to concede territory in the name of peace and if so how much. . ~ the name of peace and if so how much. ., ,, i. a committee of mps has warned the ministry of defence it should either scrap or fix its controversial ajax armoured vehicle programme by the end of the year, or risk compromising national security. the american—made reconnaissance vehicle had been due to enter service five years ago, but the army doesn't expect them to be ready before 2030. our correspondent tim muffett is at the ministry of defence. tim, this armoured vehicle programme has been hit by a lot of problems? the ajax armoured vehicle programme has been best beset by a "litany of falures" — according to a report by the house

of commons public affairs committee. the project is supposed to have provided the army with hundreds of arrmoured vehicles featuring the latest cutting edge digital battle field technology. in 2014 the ministry of defence signed a £5.5 billion contract with american manufacturer general dynamics to deliver 589 vehicles. but since then, there have been a series of delays, due partly, according to this report, to "poor planning and management". excessive noise and vibration in the vehicles has led to a number of soldiers being injured. five years after they were to supposed to have entered service, no deployable vehicles have yet been delivered. the 26 which have been can only be used for training. the committe has warned the mod that it needs to either scrap or fix this project this year, to avoid wasting any more momey. so, far over the 12 years, the project has been running, more than £3 billion has already been spent. the report also warns theres a risk to national security

if the problems aren't resolved. the army is having to prolong its use of the warrier armoured vehicle which first entered service in 1987. the ministry of defence says it agrees with many of the committee's recommendations. and that it is taking active steps to fix them. it says it won't be handing any more money over to the american manufacturer until it's convinced that it will be able to fulfil the contract, and provide the army with the nearly 600 state of the art armoured vehicles that it's been promised. thank you. apologies we had a couple of sound issues on that line. president biden has made an impassioned plea for congress to impose stricter gun laws, following a string of mass shootings in the united states. speaking from the white house, he said that guns are now the number one killer of children in america. nomia iqbal reports from washington. as president biden walked to the podium, 56 candles burned behind him, each representing victims of gun violence in all us states and territories. he said everyday places in america were now killing fields and enough was enough.

let there be no mistake about the psychological trauma that gun violence leaves behind. imagine being that little girl, that brave little girl in uvalde, who smeared blood off her murdered friend's body on to her own face to lie still among the corpses in her classroom to pretend she was dead, in order to stay alive. this comes after president biden visited uvalde in texas and the families of school teachers and children murdered in their classroom. previously, he had visited buffalo in new york, where ten people were shot dead last month in a supermarket. on wednesday, four people were shot dead at a medical centre in oklahoma. some swift action is happening, house democrats have voted for a bill of tougher gun restrictions, which would take into account many of mr biden's proposal. but republicans are against this move, some even brought their own guns to meetings about the bill.

here is a gun i carry every single day to protect myself, my family, my wife, my home, this is an xlp365. it comes with a 15 ground magazine. here's a seven round magazine... this is why gun reform in america is difficult, senate republicans need to be on board for any laws to be passed. they think any restrictions threaten american people's constitutional right to own guns. president biden's called their lack of action unconscionable. so far the only area of possible bipartisan agreement involves red flag laws which let authorities take guns from people at high risk of harming themselves or others. 19 states have them. but critic say that just doesn't go far enough to stop america's unique nightmare of enduring gun violence. the actress amber heard is planning an appeal after losing a defamation trial

against herformer husband johnny depp, over allegations of domestic abuse. mr depp is currently on tour in the uk withjeff beck, and was cheered as he joined him on stage in gateshead last night. our correspondent olivia richwald was there. johnny depp might not have spoken puclicly since the outcome of the libel trial against his ex—wife, but it doesn't mean he's been quiet. this was depp on stage at the sage in gateshead last night. he was playing alongside friend and guitaristjeff beck and the pirates of caribbean star received a noisy and largely positive reception. out of this world. i can't even say it. the whole, we can't, seriously, we can't describe what the atmosphere was like in there. it was totally, completely... ..stunning. i thought it was cool - to see him so close, but he's not really got -

the best singing voice! i think we'd came forjeff. he added to it, i'll say that. butjeff beck was just outstanding. johnny depp and his ex—wife amber heard had been locked in a high profile libel trial in the us, after she claimed she was a domestic abuse victim. the jury sided with depp and as news of the result came through, the actor was seen having a drink in a gateshead pub. fans started arriving in the early hours to catch a glimpse of him, but he was unusually bashful, deciding to sneak out of his hotel unseen in a van with darkened windows. but it didn't put fans off, some of whom waited for hours. how long are you prepared to wait? i've been waiting for like a couple of hours now and prepared to wait for a week! i'll wait forever to see him.

yeah, i'm waiting and hoping that we'll catch him when he comes out. yeah, yeah. that's going to be your best bet now, when he comes out. - you're actually going to wait until the end of the concert? absolutely, yeah. cheering their patience was rewarded and after the end of the concert he met fans at the stage door. about 24 hours longer, absolutely buzzing, first thing that he signed. i could honestly cry! i could honestly cry. because you have been waiting for a long time? i've been waiting since 9 o'clock last night. so, i'm ready to go home and go to bed and i am so happy. jeff beck and johnny depp, who've made an album together, will be back on stage in glasgow tonight. olivia richwald, bbc news, gateshead. cricket now and on the second day of the first test at lord's there was another poor performance from england with the bat in their game against new zealand.

they were all out for 141 in theirfirst innings in reply to the tourists 132. but new zealand are in trouble in their second innings. here'sjoe wilson. don't dawdle by the grace gates. day two of the frenetic test. get inside, england are batting. you never know how long that might last. blink, and he has missed it. that was stuart broad gone. sometimes the toughest thing about being captain is watching. the next sight for ben stokes was ben foakes at 47. who is next? via the m6 and m1, lancashire's matt parkinson rushed into the team as a concussion substitute. he made eight. but that was england 141 all out. job superbly done by new zealand. england just nine runs ahead. right, lads, we are bowling again. and would you believe it... you probably would. james anderson with

immediate success. will young leaving right now, but was batting possible for everyone? well, there is new zealand's captain kane williamson, one of their all—time greats. remember, these runs were now taking new zealand ahead. and remember, new zealand are world test champions. someone surely would play a substantial innings. there is tom latham on the attack and he can play. matthew potts bowling on his england debut again proved his value. well held. kane williamson out for 15. there was more. this deliveryjust grazed williamson's bat, and potts struck again. and this test match just refuses to slow down. here is a situation at lunch on the second day, yes, stilljust the second day, yes, stilljust the second day, yes, stilljust the second day, new zealand in their second day, new zealand in their second inn rgs 38—3, a lead of 29. i'm sure i remember a time when test

matches were sedate, even dull. this one is great fun while it lasts. it is scheduled for five days, right now that seems a theory. we are under way again now that seems a theory. we are underway again in 15 now that seems a theory. we are under way again in 15 minutes. who knows what happens next? thank you. let's rejoin my colleague reeta chakrabarti at buckingham palace. hi, rita. this weekend promises celebrations from the world of music and dance, with a concert at the palace tomorrow night and the platinumjubilee pageant taking place on sunday afternoon. it will be led by the gold state coach, through the streets of central london, where it will pass by buckingham palace. our royal correspondent, sarah campbell, has been speaking to some of those involved in the event's finale. on an east end factory site next fot the thames a dragon has come to

life. gliding up the mall, the puppet will symbolise the size of the roam of young princess elizabeth.— the roam of young princess elizabeth. ,, ., , , ., elizabeth. she has a sense of freedom at — elizabeth. she has a sense of freedom at the _ elizabeth. she has a sense of freedom at the beginning - elizabeth. she has a sense of l freedom at the beginning when elizabeth. she has a sense of - freedom at the beginning when she meets the dragon and how she deals with that is a sense of yeah; and how she becomes friends with it. and how she becomes friends with it. and ou are how she becomes friends with it. and you are playing princess elizabeth. i'm very excited, it is such a big opportunity. i'm very excited, it is such a big opportunity-— i'm very excited, it is such a big ouortuni .m, ':: 11:11: , opportunity. around 10,000 people will take part. _ opportunity. around 10,000 people will take part, there _ opportunity. around 10,000 people will take part, there will— opportunity. around 10,000 people will take part, there will be - will take part, there will be dancers, vehicle, puppets... and much else, all telling the story of the queen and the uk through her long reign. and riding on open—topped buses, the great and good from each decade, including dame kelly holmes. the good from each decade, including dame kelly holmes.— good from each decade, including dame kelly holmes. the pageant will be amazing. — dame kelly holmes. the pageant will be amazing. we _ dame kelly holmes. the pageant will

be amazing, i've spoken _ dame kelly holmes. the pageant will be amazing, i've spoken to _ dame kelly holmes. the pageant will be amazing, i've spoken to a - dame kelly holmes. the pageant will be amazing, i've spoken to a couple i be amazing, i've spoken to a couple of people who will be on our bus and all very excited. it seems like it will be more like a carnival. it is just amazing to be one of the, i think 150 national treasures... a weird thing for you to say personally, but it means a lot to be part of it. personally, but it means a lot to be art of it. , ., personally, but it means a lot to be artofit. , ., , part of it. children will play a big art. part of it. children will play a big part- these _ part of it. children will play a big part. these pupils _ part of it. children will play a big part. these pupils from - part of it. children will play a big part. these pupils from luton i part of it. children will play a big| part. these pupils from luton will be dressed as the flowers which decorated the queen's coronation gown. decorated the queen's coronation cown. �* . , ., ., . decorated the queen's coronation own. �* . , ., ., . ., gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a lifetime dream. _ gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a lifetime dream. she _ gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a lifetime dream. she has _ gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a lifetime dream. she has been - gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a lifetime dream. she has been on l gown. i'm excited, it is a once in a l lifetime dream. she has been on the throne 70 whole _ lifetime dream. she has been on the throne 70 whole years. _ lot. i'm very proud of her. she is a very good queen. lot. i'm very proud of her. she is a very good queen-— very good queen. leading the “aeant, very good queen. leading the pageant. the _ very good queen. leading the pageant, the gold _ very good queen. leading the pageant, the gold state - very good queen. leading thej pageant, the gold state coach very good queen. leading the - pageant, the gold state coach that transported the queen on coronation day and images from 1953 will be on its windows. the finale will take

place with ed sheeran on sunday afternoon. the night before, musical royalty will pay their own tribute at the party at the palace. it is royalty will pay their own tribute at the party at the palace. it is so overpowering. — at the party at the palace. it is so overpowering, i'm _ at the party at the palace. it is so overpowering, i'm so _ at the party at the palace. it is so overpowering, i'm so happy - at the party at the palace. it is so overpowering, i'm so happyjustl at the party at the palace. it is so l overpowering, i'm so happyjust to be part of it, because there was a point where i thought they don't want me and i was over the moon when i was signed on. want me and i was over the moon when i was signed on-— i was signed on. after two years of a pandemic— i was signed on. after two years of a pandemic that _ i was signed on. after two years of a pandemic that kept _ i was signed on. after two years of a pandemic that kept people - i was signed on. after two years of| a pandemic that kept people apart, the stage is set for a weekend which aims to bring people together once again. despite the peeling of the bells. this second day of celebrations has been more sober and reflective than the festivities yesterday, but that hasn't stopped big crowds from gathering here this morning, unable themselves to attend the service, but eager to catch a glimpse of the arrivals and departures. and, as we've heard,

this has been the first occasion in two years that prince harry and meghan have been here in the uk at an official event and there was a very mixed reaction here to them from the crowd. some cheering, but some booing as well. i'll be back at 6 from buckingham palace, but on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are. good afternoon. it's just after 1.30pm, and this is your update from the bbc sport centre. day two of england's first test against new zealand is well under way. 17 wickets fell on an action—packed opener. england failed to pull clear in the morning, though. they were all out for 141, a lead ofjust nine runs. stuart broad the first to go today, trying to smash tim southee but not

quite working out his way. ben foakes and matt parkinson followed soon after.