this is bbc news with the latest headlines. party preparations at the palace, as the stars get ready to come out for the platinum jubilee celebrations. the bunting's still out up and down the country, as people hold street parties to celebrate the queen's 70 years on the throne. there arejubilee celebrations at epsom too for derby day, but the queen isn't there as originally planned. she's being represented by her daughter, the princess royal. and other members of the queen's family are attending celebrations around the country. the duke and duchess of cambridge were at cardiff castle. iam i am live on the mall, where hundreds of people at least are singing along to the rehearsal for that concert here tonight. they are

singing along appropriately to queen and adam lambert. more from here shortly. a senior ukrainian official says ukraine's forces are pushing back russia in the key city of severodonetsk, where the two sides are locked in fierce street battles. in other news, travel disruption continues. airlines cancel more flights today and rail passengers are being warned of delays because of strikes by conductors. and wickets are beginning to tumble at lords, as england's batsmen struggle to chase the target set for them by new zealand. welcome to bbc news. a third day of celebrations for the queen's platinum jubilee is under way, with members of the royal family attending events across the uk. the duke and duchess of cambridge are at cardiff castle with their two

older children prince george and princess charlotte. the day will end with an open—air concert at buckingham palace where prince charles will pay tribute to the queen for her enduring service. one couple who aren't expected to attend are harry and meghan, they're spending the day quietly at windsor. let's head to the mall there now and to the bbc�*s jane hill. it is looking much warmer than it was this morning i'm happy to say. i am happy too. everybody here is happy, that's the point. it's absolutely lovely and the atmosphere is really stepping up a gear because we have had a few rehearsals over the course of the afternoon for the concert here tonight. we heard george ezra for example but guess who is rehearsing. queen with adam lambert and a lot of people have been singing along, everyone knows the words, we are the champions at the words, we are the champions at the moment. that's the kind of mood at the moment. there is a preshow

party and at the main concert tonight with all those headline performance begins at 8pm. lots of focus here in the centre of london inevitably got this as a four day celebration for people across the country and people have been encouraged to hold street parties and we know lots are happening, we will hear about one very buoyant st party later in the hour and there are events happening in windsor as well which is where the queen is and a big party was planned on the lawn near windsor and we have been hearing the expected about 10,000 people to come to that and we are now told they think there are 20,000 people in attendance. quite a record number and perhaps boosted by this glorious weather we're having right now. this is day three of four days of platinum jubilee celebrations of course. for every one of you around the uk and across the commonwealth. let's have more on all of that from

our royal correspondence. would you like another one? the queen's love of horses is clear from these pictures, which were filmed in april at the royal stud in sandringham. she has only missed derby day twice during her long reign. today makes a third time, but she will be watching from home in windsor. it is for other members of her family to take thejubilee message of thanks around the uk. this morning, the earl and countess of wessex were in northern ireland, as local communities got creative in their tributes to the queen. really nice to have them here, it has been a lovely morning, all in. princess anne has visited edinburgh and the penguin enclosure at the city's zoo. the duke and duchess of cambridge, along with two of their children, prince george and princess charlotte, are in cardiff this afternoon to meet performers and people taking part in thejubilee concert in the castle grounds.

from cardiff, prince william will travel here, because he and prince charles are due to take to the stage to pay their own tribute to the queen at the platinum party at the palace. celebrations too today in the sussex household. prince harry and meghan made their first appearance at a royal event in two years yesterday. at the national service of thanksgiving. their two children, archie and lillibet travelled with them to the uk and today it is her first birthday. 0n the mall, the excitement is building, with people arriving early to get the best spot for the event. on this huge set, built in front of buckingham palace, the likes of duran duran, queen and diana ross will take to any one of the four stages, as thisjubilee weekend continues. sarah campbell, bbc news, buckingham palace. 0ur correspondent charlotte

gallagher is with me now. you have been in the area, quite hard to move around but you have been out and about all day. what's the longest you have found, how long have people been queueing, camping, whatever, to try to be here today? have been some very long commutes. some people have not left for days on end but one mother and daughter set off from durham at midnight, got to london at 6am, haven't gone to the hotel yet, sitting with their suitcases with them, wine and sandwiches and say they are ready, they have a great view of one of the big screens, they said they came down on thursday and wanted to see trooping the colour but it was so busy we could not get in so said we are getting in a great spot to the end have had deckchairs out, their union flags, lots of hats, champagne, people enjoying because it is not starting until 730 but

rehearsals have been going on and people can hear the rehearsals so we have had alicia keys, and it all sounds amazing so far. people are enjoying it. sounds amazing so far. people are enjoying it— enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a _ enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a lot _ enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a lot we _ enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a lot we can _ enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a lot we can say - enjoying it. there is lots we don't know and a lot we can say about | know and a lot we can say about what's going to happen down there but the people who have had sneak previews have said very positive things about it being quite spectacular. i things about it being quite spectacular.— things about it being quite sectacular. ., , ., spectacular. i saw a bit of the rehearsal _ spectacular. i saw a bit of the rehearsal and _ spectacular. i saw a bit of the rehearsal and i _ spectacular. i saw a bit of the rehearsal and i cannot - spectacular. i saw a bit of the rehearsal and i cannot say - spectacular. i saw a bit of the l rehearsal and i cannot say what spectacular. i saw a bit of the i rehearsal and i cannot say what i saw but my mouth was wide open, it looks and sounds incredible. they are pulling out all the stops and the people with tickets tonight are incredibly lucky and if you are watching at home you have a front row seat to all the action and it is looking amazing. you have buckingham palace behind you and everyone is wondering what brian may from queen will do because last time he was on top of the palace and i think he's got something planned this year. hagar got something planned this year. how do ou beat got something planned this year. how do you beat that? very _ got something planned this year. how do you beat that? very hard. - got something planned this year. how do you beat that? very hard. quick. do you beat that? very hard. quick thou~ht do you beat that? very hard. quick thought about _ do you beat that? very hard. quick thought about the _

do you beat that? very hard. quick thought about the queen _ do you beat that? very hard. quick thought about the queen because l thought about the queen because that's why we are here for four days. she is not going to the derby today, horse racing her great love, so that is some sadness.— today, horse racing her great love, so that is some sadness. really sad because i'm — so that is some sadness. really sad because i'm sure _ so that is some sadness. really sad because i'm sure that _ so that is some sadness. really sad because i'm sure that would - so that is some sadness. really sad because i'm sure that would have i because i'm sure that would have been one of the things she really wanted to see. i'm sure she is watching it at home, for 30 pm, epsom have sent her a racecard so she canjoin in on the epsom have sent her a racecard so she can join in on the action epsom have sent her a racecard so she canjoin in on the action but sad she's not going to be there. we think possibly harry and meghan are in windsor we might see her today, it is lillibet�*s first birthday, i'm sure she isjoining in and probably watching the concert at home as well. ~ ., ., ., ., ., well. we are going to head to another part _ well. we are going to head to another part of— well. we are going to head to another part of the _ well. we are going to head to another part of the mall. - the bbc�*s ashleyjohn—baptiste is with the crowds as they gather. hello, iam hello, i am at the mall, a stone's throw away from buckingham palace. you might be able to see behind me, crowds gathering thick and fast ahead of tonight's platinum jubilee concert. to give you a sense of the

atmosphere... cheering honestly, the excitement is absolutely palpable here. this means so much to the people here, to give you a sense, let's speak to some. we have you come from?— you a sense, let's speak to some. we have you come from? originally essex but i now have you come from? originally essex but i now live — have you come from? originally essex but i now live in _ have you come from? originally essex but i now live in manchester. - but i now live in manchester. southend—on—sea. find but i now live in manchester. southend-on-sea._ but i now live in manchester. southend-on-sea. ., ., , ., southend-on-sea. and a lady who has come all the — southend-on-sea. and a lady who has come all the way _ southend-on-sea. and a lady who has come all the way from... _ southend-on-sea. and a lady who has come all the way from... melbourne . come all the way from... melbourne australia. come all the way from. .. melbourne australia. how— come all the way from... melbourne australia. how long _ come all the way from... melbourne australia. how long have _ come all the way from... melbourne australia. how long have even - australia. how long have even camping? _ australia. how long have even camping? got _ australia. how long have even camping? got here _ australia. how long have even camping? got here about - australia. how long have even| camping? got here about 12pm australia. how long have even - camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it — camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean _ camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean for— camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean for you _ camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean for you to - camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean for you to be - camping? got here about 12pm today. what does it mean for you to be at. what does it mean for you to be at this historic concert? it’s what does it mean for you to be at this historic concert?— this historic concert? it's an absolute — this historic concert? it's an absolute honour, _ this historic concert? it's an absolute honour, and - this historic concert? it's an i absolute honour, and privilege this historic concert? it's an - absolute honour, and privilege that her majesiy's — absolute honour, and privilege that her majesiy's 70 _ absolute honour, and privilege that her majesty's 70 of— absolute honour, and privilege that her majesty's 70 of platinum, - absolute honour, and privilege that her majesty's 70 of platinum, i- her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot— her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot tell_ her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot tell you _ her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot tell you how _ her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot tell you how exciting. her majesty's 70 of platinum, i cannot tell you how exciting iti her majesty's 70 of platinum, ii cannot tell you how exciting it is to be _ cannot tell you how exciting it is to be here _ cannot tell you how exciting it is to be here is _ cannot tell you how exciting it is to be here-— cannot tell you how exciting it is to be here._ it's| to be here. is it emotional? it's really emotional. _ to be here. is it emotional? it's really emotional. 70 _ to be here. is it emotional? it's really emotional. 70 years? - to be here. is it emotional? it's| really emotional. 70 years? that to be here. is it emotional? it's - really emotional. 70 years? that has never been done before, not even queen victoria made 70 years. we have some iconic guests lined up for tonight, who are you excited to see

later? , . . tonight, who are you excited to see later? , ., ., , later? diana ross. jeering _ jeering she has not performed —— cheering she has not performed in years, what will it mean?— she has not performed in years, what will it mean?_ if _ she has not performed in years, what will it mean?_ if you - will it mean? everything. if you could say one _ will it mean? everything. if you could say one thing _ will it mean? everything. if you could say one thing to - will it mean? everything. if you could say one thing to the - will it mean? everything. if you i could say one thing to the queen what would you say?— could say one thing to the queen what would you say? thank you for our 70 what would you say? thank you for your 70 year _ what would you say? thank you for your 70 year service _ what would you say? thank you for your 70 year service and _ what would you say? thank you for your 70 year service and we - what would you say? thank you for your 70 year service and we love i what would you say? thank you for i your 70 year service and we love you so much _ your 70 year service and we love you so much. ., . so much. one more cheer. jeering — so much. one more cheer. jeering- _ and excitement ahead of tonight. people losing their voices all over the country already i suspect, lots of us, definitely some of ashley's guests. queen and adam lambert, diana ross and sir rod stewart are among the stars who'll be performing. 0ur music correspondent mark savage can explain what's in store. for the queen's goldenjubilee, brian may played the national anthem on the roof of buckingham palace.

# 0b—la—di, ob—la—da... # life goes on, brah... # la, la, how the life goes on... at her diamond jubilee, paul mccartney led an all—star singalong of 0b—la—di. but this year, even some of the performers don't know what they're going to be playing. what are you going to do on saturday? i have no idea, which is awesome to me, because that will be the most fun thing in the world, is if i get there and they say, "hey, nile, we'd like you to play flute with the marine band," or something! so this is four days before the concert, and you don't even know what you're playing? yeah, i have no idea. i presumed that they'd asked you to come along and do some chic songs. i have no idea! when i tell you i have no idea, i have no idea. i look at it like this. whatever the queen asks me to do, or her representatives, or whatever, i will do that.

whatever nile rodgers ends up playing, it will be on this stage, built over the last four weeks outside the gates of buckingham palace. and this is where queen and adam lambert will open the show later tonight. brian may won't be on the roof of buckingham palace this time, but i'm told he does have a surprise up his sleeve. and following them onto the stage we have diana ross, sir rod stewart, paul mccartney, george ezra, duran duran and many more. one, two, three... # good luck... # goin' round the world chasing other girls... # thinking you'll find better, baby... 0ne performer who is not feeling that pressure, however, is mabel. well, it's not really about me. do you know what i mean? it's about celebrating our queen and her reign and all the fantastic things that she's done, andjust, like, the responsibility, things that she's done. after the pageantry of trooping the colour and the gravity of friday's thanksgiving service, thejubilee concert promises to be a concentrated blast of energy. mark savage, bbc news.

lovely to see you. day three of four. how do you assess this platinum jubilee celebration so far? it has been great. everyone is celebrating down to local streets in london where i'm from it has been great to see people out and about and just enjoying what little nice weather we have and spending time with loved ones. haifa weather we have and spending time with loved ones.— with loved ones. how can we 'udge how much about i with loved ones. how can we 'udge how much about that is * with loved ones. how can we judge how much about that is loved - with loved ones. how can we judge how much about that is loved for l with loved ones. how can we judge i how much about that is loved for the royal family and the queen versus how brilliant four days off, we have had a terrible two years with covid, how do uss that? it had a terrible two years with covid, how do uss that?— how do uss that? it has been interesting. _ how do uss that? it has been interesting, a _ how do uss that? it has been interesting, a lot _ how do uss that? it has been interesting, a lot of— how do uss that? it has been interesting, a lot of social - how do uss that? it has been i interesting, a lot of social media commentary has been divided, people not necessarily invested in the

royals are in tested but it has been great to celebrate and forget about the horrible two years we have had and even though people have issues with the royals, they may not support them fully it is a great occasion for the celebration and time to come together. find occasion for the celebration and time to come together. and about community? _ time to come together. and about community? about _ time to come together. and about community? about us _ time to come together. and about community? about us all- community? about us all reconnecting, we all wish the pandemic had not happened but in a way, this is a great way of getting back to some sort of normality? definitely, people talking to people they would not normally talk to before, i think that is the sense of community and people coming together and that is something you don't see very often, as we have been draped in misery for the last couple of years. really grateful for the spirit that has ignited as a result of this. ., ., ., . ., ., of this. you have touched on not everybody _ of this. you have touched on not everybody likes _ of this. you have touched on not everybody likes the _ of this. you have touched on not everybody likes the monarchy i of this. you have touched on not everybody likes the monarchy orj everybody likes the monarchy or thinks we should have a monarchy, we can have that debate, several people in the last few days have said let's have that debate next week when

these four days are over and that's quite an interesting take in itself which perhaps speaks to your point that we all just which perhaps speaks to your point that we alljust need to have a lovely time. those of us who possibly can. i wonder also where the balances between someone who may have views about the monarchy as an institution but there is still luck for the queen herself, still an understanding that she has worked for 70 years. how many of us want to work at 96?— work at 96? regardless of your olitical work at 96? regardless of your political views _ work at 96? regardless of your political views people _ work at 96? regardless of your political views people respect i work at 96? regardless of your - political views people respect that, people i have spoken to from different generations have really, just a lot of respect for the queen and what she has done. people in my generation will have grown up only with her being mnemonic on banknotes and things like that. quite separate from the royal family in that sense because she has almost become a kind of symbol, this emblem for britain and i think that is really a legacy that's going to be tough to follow.

good to see you, enjoy the rest of the party. we have got laura scott our sports correspondent who has been at the derby throughout for us. bring us up—to—date. if you can even hear me over all of this. derby day is widely considered to be the jewel in the crown of the british calendar, ring—fenced in the queen's diary, she had only missed four days in her reign and two of those were during the pandemic. it's a sad occasion for the queen that she is unable to attend today, part of the

official platinum jubilee celebrations. her majesty is being officially represented today by the princess royal, there have been several tributes today to what has been described as the queen's immeasurable contribution to british racing. that has included a guard of honour, a0 jockeys who have written for the queen in the past, i have spoken to a couple of them. they have both talked about the honour of having ridden for the queen and her knowledge and passion for racing. there was also operated some of the queen's retired racehorses, another of her interests, seeing the lives her horses go on to have once their racing careers are finished and earlier i spoke to harry herbert, the manager of a racing team but his father was previously racing manager for the queen and he spoke about the queen's contribution to racing. it’s queen's contribution to racing. it's so queen's contribution to racing. it�*s so exciting, it is so hard to get you, this is the greatest racehorse in the world, you have got to be here on merit, i wouldn't dream of

running a horse that we did not think could be competitive. 0ur horse finished second to the derby favourite this afternoon in the last race time they met, only beaten a couple of lengths and they are going 1.5 mile today, and it is epsom, we are the only horse that has proper experience of this racetrack because we have won as a two—year—old. that could be a real positive. he we have won as a two-year-old. that could be a real positive.— could be a real positive. he was s-ueakin could be a real positive. he was speaking about _ could be a real positive. he was speaking about his _ could be a real positive. he was speaking about his horse - could be a real positive. he was speaking about his horse royall speaking about his horse royal patronage. there are a couple of other horses with regal names which is going off injust over one hour. there is also changing of the guard and the favourite is desert crown. buckingham palace said the queen will be watching the race from the comfort of windsor castle. some of those who aren't

here for the party at the palace have been celebrating closer to home, like flo, who we heard from earlier who's hosting a street party in watford. it is the whole street, plus the street of residents and guests. we have about 220 people here today. i was getting a bit worried this morning, we set up under the rain, we had lots of gazebos, the party started at 12 and the sun arrived at 12. we have plenty. we have candyfloss, we've got a tombola, a display of all our previous street parties, the street has a really big tradition. this is our fifth street party and we have an afternoon packed with games, a visit from the fire brigade, ice cream van, face painting, the lot. that's fantastic and i love the idea of the board

reflects your parties of the past. are you organiser in chief? how does that work? it's a lovely thing to do, but it really is a lot of work to get it together as well, isn't it? it's been weeks in the planning but i have other residents to help me. it has been a lot of work, many phone calls a lot of stress but it's worth it when you see the smile on people's faces. we have got music and dancing in the afternoon, everyone is absolutely loving getting together. and i have got to ask you before we let you go, have you or has someone there made the winning trifle, the pudding that was, that won the competition. has anyone tried to make that? no, i don't think they have, but we have got a nice selection with amazing decorations and lots of cupcakes as well. no trifle, that is probably the only

thing missing actually. i don't think there was much missing in that street party. some pictures have come in from windsor itself. let's look at those. we mentioned there is plenty going on there. as you would expect. they told us they thought the authorities estimate 20,000 people have turned out there on the long walk in windsor. let's hope the weather stays out and good whenever you are in the country. let's hope if you would like to be out and about celebrating this weekend, just getting together with friends and neighbours after the rigours of the last two years, let's hope the sun shines on you. from here back to the studio. thousands of easyjet passengers are stranded after the airline has cancelled more flights today.

gatwick airport is worst affected, with bristol and luton also hit. wizz air and british airways are also cancelling flights. problems are being blamed on staff shortages, as the industry recovers from covid lockdowns. in the last hour, the border force union warned there could be passport control delays due to a lack of staff. in the past few minutes, we have had some information through about those flight shortages. i will give you some information we have had three. easyjet cb issues today are for two main reasons. shortage of air traffic control staff at gatwick resulting in 20 flights being cancelled and issues at amsterdam airport which has led to the airport restricting flights, asking other airports to limit the number of flights going in, so that has affected more than ten flights and easyjet has said in a statement that they fully understand the inconvenience caused and are sorry for this.

russian forces have blown up bridges on a river near severodonetsk to stop the ukrainians bringing in reinforcements, according to the governor of ukraine's luhansk region. the city is the main focus of russia's current offensive in the east. kyiv says it has recaptured part of the territory that was lost to russian forces. but as our ukraine correspondentjoe inwood reports, both sides are presenting very different pictures of how the conflict is unfolding. russian armour still rolling forward, moving to encircle ukraine's forces in the donbas. an advancing army, liberating the people of this region, providing them with humanitarian aid. that is the picture the russians want to present of the invasion they still refuse to call a war. they say they are destroying western weapons and killing foreign mercenaries. but from the ukrainians, you get quite the opposite impression. this is a coalition of soldiers defending their homeland,

orjoining from around the world to face down a global threat. we are on the right side of history, so we are going to make sure... all of us are going to get back home with our families and make sure that the occupants are not going to do the same. now, the truth of what is really going on is shrouded in the fog of war. both sides put out the messages they want the world to hear. translation: as soon as we have . enough western long-range weapons, we will push their artillery away from our positions, and then, believe me, the russian infantry? they'lljust run. what we do know for certain is that it is the people of this region who are paying the price. this is the town of lysychansk, just across the river from severodonetsk. tens of thousands remain here.

translation: there is no electricity, no water. - 0ur grandchildren have left. we don't know how they are. in the distance, the battle for severodonetsk continues. if russia can take the city, it will have a path into the donbas. if the ukrainians can stop their advance, they will win a battle that could determine the outcome of this war. joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv. thousands of post office workers are on strike over a pay dispute. 11a crown post offices will close for a 2a—hour period, while sub—post offices will have no cash deliveries or collections. the communication workers union is angry over a pay freeze in the year 2021—22 and a 2% rise for the following year. let's get more on thejubilee now and people from all over the country have been celebrating it in their own way this bank holiday weekend. one group of women decided to put their own spin on things. donning platinumjubilee—coloured saris, they've been performing a traditional kerela folk dance

in east london, to mark the queen's 70—year reign. i went to meet some of them as they reheased the dance. 70 dancers in ornate platinum—themed attire celebrating the head of state through choreography from the southern indian state of kerala. this dance is traditionally performed by ladies during a festival, a harvest festival we celebrate in kerala. this was a finaljubilee dress rehearsal for the 70 women who, until last week, hadn't even met. people came from sheffield, nottingham, birmingham, liverpool, you name it. and we did predominantly most of our sessions were done via zoom, some people met in the park weekly. for the first time, we met on may 28th, all together as a group of 70. the dance is one of many events

at the platinum jubilee mela, which means "festival. " the focus is reflecting multiculturalism and the commonwealth. my community has always held the queen in high esteem. they love her to bits. so coming out of the pandemic, this was a brilliant opportunity for people to gather and celebrate. we also wanted to celebrate the multiculturalism, the migrant community, the contribution of the migrant communities. to many, the queen'sjubilee is a chance to celebrate not only 70 years of royal tradition, but also 70 years of change during her reign. now it's time for a look at the weather with alina jenkins. hello, it is mainly dry across much of the uk through the rest of the afternoon. sell some showers lingering through wales and south—west england, best of the sunshine through scotland and northern ireland where we will see the highest temperatures. through this evening and overnight, keep an

eye out this band of heavy rain pushing from the south of france, to merge to give some torrential rain in places. further north into scotland and northern ireland, that missed and low fog under clear skies will be quite a cool night, quite a muqqy will be quite a cool night, quite a muggy night with temperatures no lower than ten or 11 celsius. this band of heavy thunder showers continue to work north through wales, the midlands and northern england. we will see some breaks that will trigger further thundery showers, diets with the best of the sunshine across scotland and northern ireland, but for some areas hanging onto low cloud feeling rather cool. goodbye.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: party preparations at the palace — as the stars get ready to come out for the platinum jubilee celebrations. the bunting's still out, up and down the country — as people hold street parties to celebrate the queen's 70 years on the throne.

there arejubilee celebrations at epsom too for derby day — but the queen isn't there as originally planned — she's being represented by her daughter the princess royal. and other members of the queen's family are attending celebrations around the country — the duke and duchess of cambridge were at cardiff castle. a senior ukrainian official says ukraine's forces are pushing back russia in the key city of severo—donetsk — where the two sides are locked in fierce street battles. in other news, travel disruption continues —airlines cancel more flights today and rail passengers are being warned of delays because of strikes by conductors. now on bbc news: a special edition of witness history, with five extraordinary stories on the history of health.

hello, and welcome to witness history, with me,