king charles iii makes his first visit to the uk parliament since coming to the throne. in a special ceremony at the palace of westminster, he received condolences from both houses of parliament. it is a loss to all of us, but we know most of all, it is a loss to you, your majesty, and to the royal family. she set an example of selfless duty, which, with god's help and your counsels, i am resolved faithfully to follow. from westminster, the king is flying to scotland, where he'll lead a procession up

edinburgh's royal mile behind the queen's coffin. the procession will pass to st giles' cathedral where the queen will lie at rest and people will be able to pay their respects the duke of sussex pays tribute to his grandmother, thanking her for her commitment to service and her infectious smile. also in the programme... after urkraine�*s successful counter attack against russian forces, it says the kremlin is taking revenge by attacking power installations and blacking out power to millions of people. and disappointing news for the uk economy, as figures show it grew by less than expected in the month ofjuly. stay with us here on bbc news, where we will bring you continuing coverage of events, plus analysis from our team of correspondence in

the uk and around the world. good afternoon. king charles has visited the uk parliament this morning for the first time since taking the throne. along with the queen consort, the king heard messages of condolence from both houses in the ancient westminster hall, before delivering his response. the king is now flying to edinburgh where he will lead a procession behind the queen's coffin from the palace of holyroodhouse to st giles' cathedral. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. to westminster hall. the ancient building which has been at the centre of british history for 1000

years. the setting over the centuries for moments of national significance, for celebration and sorrow. and it was here in 2012 that queen elizabeth made her last address to thejoint queen elizabeth made her last address to the joint houses of the british parliament during her diamond jubilee. he spoke of the continuity of british history, and the importance of duty. i continuity of british history, and the importance of duty.- continuity of british history, and the importance of duty. i have been rivileued the importance of duty. i have been privileged to — the importance of duty. i have been privileged to witness _ the importance of duty. i have been privileged to witness some - the importance of duty. i have been privileged to witness some of - the importance of duty. i have been privileged to witness some of that l privileged to witness some of that history, and with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come. within westminster hall today, mps from the house of commons and peers from the house of commons and peers from the house of commons and peers from the house of lords gathered made the trappings of the british state to mourn a past monarch and to greet a new one. the speaker of the house of commons, so lindsay hoyle,

spoke about the nation's loss. it is a loss to all _ spoke about the nation's loss. it is a loss to all of _ spoke about the nation's loss. it is a loss to all of us, _ spoke about the nation's loss. it 3 a loss to all of us, but we know, most of all, it is a loss to you, your majesty, and to the royal family. {131 your ma'esty, and to the royal famil . , ., , family. of the king spoke of his new responsibilities. _ family. of the king spoke of his new responsibilities. as _ family. of the king spoke of his new responsibilities. as i _ family. of the king spoke of his new responsibilities. as i stand _ family. of the king spoke of his new responsibilities. as i stand before i responsibilities. as i stand before ou responsibilities. as i stand before you today. _ responsibilities. as i stand before you today. i _ responsibilities. as i stand before you today, i cannot _ responsibilities. as i stand before you today, i cannot help - responsibilities. as i stand before you today, i cannot help but - responsibilities. as i stand before you today, i cannot help but feel| you today, i cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital_ surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which— the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both houses dedicate _ to which members of both houses dedicate yourselves with such personal— dedicate yourselves with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all. parliament is the living _ betterment of us all. parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our— the living and breathing instrument of our democracy. that your traditions _ of our democracy. that your traditions are ancient we see in the construction— traditions are ancient we see in the construction of this great hall. and the reminders of mediaeval

predecessors of the office to which i predecessors of the office to which i have _ predecessors of the office to which i have been called. my lords and members — i have been called. my lords and members of the house of commons, we gather— members of the house of commons, we gather today _ members of the house of commons, we gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of dedicated service of the _ remarkable span of dedicated service of the queen to her nations and implies — of the queen to her nations and peoples. while very young, her late majesty— peoples. while very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country _ majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people, and to maintain — country and her people, and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the _ constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation. this vow she kept— at the heart of our nation. this vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. she set— she kept with unsurpassed devotion. she set an _ she kept with unsurpassed devotion. she set an example of selfless duty which, _ she set an example of selfless duty which, with god's help and your counsels, — which, with god's help and your counsels, i_ which, with god's help and your counsels, i am which, with god's help and your counsels, lam resolved which, with god's help and your counsels, i am resolved faithfully to follow —

national anthem plays the parliamentarians sang the national anthem, the parliamentarians sang the nationalanthem, now the parliamentarians sang the national anthem, now for charles. and with that and the loyal addresses from both houses of the british parliament, the king left to begin his visit to the home nations of his kingdom, starting in scotland, where the coffin of his late mother, queen elizabeth, is resting. nickjoins me now.

what was the constitutional significance of today's appearance tjy significance of today's appearance by king charles before both houses of parliament? this by king charles before both houses of parliament?— of parliament? this is absolutely fundamental _ of parliament? this is absolutely fundamental and _ of parliament? this is absolutely fundamental and terribly - of parliament? this is absolutely i fundamental and terribly important. it is an affirmation of the whole principle of the crown in parliament. this is the bedrock of our constitutional settlement a hereditary monarchy working with the parliamentary democracy. as he said in his speech towards the end, the principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation, pledging to maintain those principles, talking about the example of selfless duty which is mother represented, and i resolved faithfully to follow, he said. this is the third time that he has said this within the space of these last few days. he said it in his televised address on friday, at the accession council on saturday, and now again this morning, to both houses of parliament. and of course it is really important that he does

say this, because this is a monarch about whom, in his previous role as prince of wales, there had been significant concerns about his tendency to meddle, to intervene, well clearly he wants to make it clear that he is not going to do that. �* . . clear that he is not going to do that. �* ., ., , ., ._ that. and we had a tribute today, nick, from _ that. and we had a tribute today, nick, from the _ that. and we had a tribute today, nick, from the duke _ that. and we had a tribute today, nick, from the duke of— that. and we had a tribute today, nick, from the duke of sussex, l nick, from the duke of sussex, prince harry, in which he talks very emotionally and with great affection about his late grandmother? undoubtedly, great affection from the duke of sussex, talking again, like his brother, about granny. he says, i am forever grateful for all of our first meetings, from my earliest childhood memories, to meeting you for the first time as my commander—in—chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great—grandchildren. and harry, who we saw of course with his brother and sister, the four of them, looking at the flowers and meeting the crowds at windsor on saturday, harry now saying, we now honour my father in his new role as king charles iii. so, further evidence of

the family coming together at this moment. . ., . , the family coming together at this moment. . ., .,, . . the family coming together at this moment. . ., . . ., ,, moment. nicholas witchell, thank you ve much moment. nicholas witchell, thank you very much indeed _ moment. nicholas witchell, thank you very much indeed the _ moment. nicholas witchell, thank you very much indeed the moment. - as we've heard, the queen's coffin arrived yesterday in edinburgh after the long journey from balmoral. later this afternoon, king charles iii and members of the royal family will accompany the coffin in a procession along the royal mile to st giles' cathedral for a service of thanksgiving for her life. the queen will lie at rest at the cathedral for 2h hours, allowing the public to view her coffin for the first time. 0ur correspondentjudith moritz has this report from edinburgh. balmoral was the queen's most beloved home. scotland, her place of refuge. how fitting, then, that it's across this land that she's beginning her final journey. these were the hills she knew. the forests she enjoyed. and the communities she felt closest to.

all along the route, crowds returned that affection. and then, a majestic sight, as the cortege crossed the firth of forth and reached the edges of edinburgh. in the city centre, people streamed towards the royal mile, thronging the pavements and craning for a view, some up high, but many thousands jostling for position down below. are you going to watch? yes, we came to just watch... amongst them, waiting patiently, yaroslava zyetsava, a newly arrived ukrainian refugee, now making her home here in scotland. i feel something special to this lady. what she did for ukrainian people, what she did especially for me and my two kids, they are with me. i'm very thankful from my heart really for this opportunity to be here for her majesty.

and then the cortege appeared, threading its way over cobbled streets, as people showed their appreciation. and, as is the modern way, recorded the experience for themselves, until the procession moved past and out of sight. i think the clapping signified the glory of her days. it is sad but it also feels special that we were able to be here, and feel it. i was expecting something very different, but it was so quiet in the clapping. it felt so deep and meaningful and special and it feels like... different. some here, like donald wilson, had a very personal connection to the queen. at one point, when i was lord lieutenant, there was 38 royal engagements in six months. and there's a feeling of honour and a sense of history being made in edinburgh. the focus is very much on the capital city for these few

days and that's fantastic. you can feel it. but to feel the respect and love everywhere you go isjust amazing, so it's something that i'm very proud to be part of. at the palace of holyroodhouse, the next scene. the coffin carried inside by a bearer party formed by the royal regiment of scotland, past three of the queen's children. overnight, at the monarch's official scottish residence, the coffin lay in the throne room and today it will be taken onwards again. the king and the queen consort will arrive here later this afternoon for the historic ceremony of the keys. after which, the king willjoin the procession as the queen's coffin is driven away from here and along the royal mile. queen elizabeth will lie at rest inside st giles' cathedral for 2h

hours from this afternoon. this morning crowds have already filled the surrounding streets, as people queue for the chance to see the queen's coffin themselves and pay their respects in person. i wasn't prepared to stay the night. i didn't bring enough money for a hotel so i ended up staying in the alleyway. but there was plenty of police presence so i felt perfectly safe and i did actually say, keep an eye on me, please, if you don't mind. and they did. ijust feel really proud to be british and i feel quite privileged that we have had this opportunity, the fact she passed in the balmoral, because had that not happened, we would not be here just now standing in edinburgh. this afternoon there will be a service of prayer and reflection at st giles', and later the king and other members of the royal family will stand vigil in personal tribute to the queen.

judith moritz, bbc news, edinburgh. in a moment we'll speak to alexandra mackenzie at st giles' cathedral. but first let's speak to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon who is at the palace of holyroodhouse, where the queen's coffin has been in the throne room overnight. lorna. yes, ben, for hundreds of ears, lorna. yes, ben, for hundreds of years. the _ lorna. yes, ben, for hundreds of years, the palace _ lorna. yes, ben, for hundreds of years, the palace of _ years, the palace of holyroodhouse has been the principal residence for the royal family in scotland. it is where official events take place, most notably royal week injune, and it is to the palace here at the bottom of the royal mile to which the king will shortly arrive for that official, symbolic handing over of the keys to the city of edinburgh. as you said, the queen's body has been resting in the coffin in the throne room overnight, it has been a chance for staff here at the

palace to pay their last respects. for mamas of the public wishing to offer their condolences, they have been directed to this small, intimate garden at the side of the palace. there has been a constant flow of people arriving here throughout the morning, a steady growing of the number of flowers and uks that have been left here. one member of the public said to me it was a very personal experience for her, but also a chance to take part in something much bigger, a symbolic goodbye to queen elizabeth, who, too many here in scotland is known as the queen of scots.— many here in scotland is known as the queen of scots. lorna gordon, thank ou the queen of scots. lorna gordon, thank you very _ the queen of scots. lorna gordon, thank you very much. _ we can talk now to our correspondent alexandra mackenzie at st giles' cathedral. and memos of the public will be able to view the queen's coffin and pay their respects there?— their respects there? that's right. peole their respects there? that's right. people have _ their respects there? that's right. people have been _ their respects there? that's right. people have been gathering - their respects there? that's right. people have been gathering here| people have been gathering here since first thing this morning, before it was even light. some people were here overnight. i'm not

sure how many there are but all i can see is just a sea of people all the way down the royal mile. people have come from all over scotland, people have come from further afield, and also, they will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the coffin of the late queen elizabeth, as it comes up from the palace, all the way up the royal mile to st giles' cathedral. they also want to see the new king, king charles iii, for the very first time. and the royal procession will go into st giles' behind me for that service, it will be conducted by the minister, the reverend colin mcleod. sam's will be sung, including a gaelic psalm, and also psalm 23.

today the queen was described as the anchor of the nation, queen elizabeth, the queen of scots. tomorrow the queen's coffin will travel from edinburgh to london, where later in the week it will lie in state at westminster hall. let's just take a look at what we can expect over the next few days with our correspondent vincent mcaviney. having been flown from scotland to london, the queen will spend a final night at buckingham palace on tuesday. her coffin will then leave shortly after 2pm on wednesday for a ceremonial procession — travelling from buckingham palace to the palace of westminster for the lying in state. the public will be able to watch the procession at viewing points along the route, or watch a screening in hyde park. as with her late father, king george vi, and queen elizabeth the queen mother before her,

her closed coffin will rest on a raised platform. the royal standard, orb and sceptre will be placed on top of her coffin. each corner of the platform will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the sovereign's body guard, the household division, or yeomen warders of the tower of london. the public will be able to file past the coffin 2a hours a day — from 5pm on wednesday until 6:30am on monday, the day of the funeral. the crowds are expected to be so large that mourners will have to queue for many hours — possibly overnight — and with very little opportunity to sit down. once at the hall, they will first have to pass through airport—style security, and only small bags will be permitted. mourners are being asked to respect the dignity of the event and behave appropriately. they will have to remain silent whilst in the hall, dress appropriately, and no filming or photography will be permitted — nor will the use of mobile phones or any other hand—held devices.

details of the route for the lying in state will be revealed on tuesday evening. for more than 900 years, westminster hall has hosted all manner of events for the monarchs of this nation. but its most sacred duty is once again to provide a final place where the people of this nation can pay their final respects. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. as preparations continue for the queen's funeral next week, many people have been travelling to green park next to buckingham palace to lay flowers. our correspondent tim muffett has been meeting some of those who've come to pay their respects. an ever expanding sea of colour. green park has turned red, violet, yellow, and so many other vibrant tones. natalie is one of thousands keen to pay a floral tribute to queen elizabeth.

the queen has been a huge part of my life and also a link to my past. my dad was in the navy 25 years and he met her when he was on submarines in the cold war, and i grew up around the world, hong kong, fiji, australia, and she was always my queen wherever i was. walking through, a wave of emotion came over me, and i felt quite teary. my stomach went upside down a bit. it was a very sad moment. the scale of this is extraordinary, isn't it? i think it is beautiful. it is lovely to see that people have come together to mourn together and grieve together. and just to celebrate a wonderful person, as she was. it is amazing, absolutely amazing, the flowers — it is amazing, absolutely amazing, the flowers and _ it is amazing, absolutely amazing, the flowers and everybody, - it is amazing, absolutely amazing, . the flowers and everybody, everybody thought _ the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the _ the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the world _ the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the world of _ the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the world of the _ the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the world of the queen - the flowers and everybody, everybody thought the world of the queen and l thought the world of the queen and yes, it _ thought the world of the queen and yes, it is _ thought the world of the queen and yes, it is fantastic, _ thought the world of the queen and yes, it is fantastic, the _ thought the world of the queen and yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. - yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. 0ver— yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. over the — yes, it is fantastic, the flowers.

over the next— yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. over the next week _ yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. over the next week as - yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. over the next week as the - yes, it is fantastic, the flowers. . over the next week as the flowers degrade, they will be taken away from here to hyde park nurseries which is a short distance away, and they will be turned into compost and that compost will be used in other royal parks across london. people are being asked not to leave any more cuddly toys or balloons and to remove wrapping from any bouquets. volunteers are already taking away anything that cannot eventually be turned into compost. irate anything that cannot eventually be turned into compost.— turned into compost. we are 'ust takinr turned into compost. we are 'ust takin: the turned into compost. we are 'ust taking the cellophane * turned into compost. we are 'ust taking the cellophane off i turned into compost. we are just| taking the cellophane off because the flowers will eventually be composted and the plastic obviously won't biodegrade. later composted and the plastic obviously won't biodegrade.— won't biodegrade. later this week the body of _ won't biodegrade. later this week the body of queen _ won't biodegrade. later this week the body of queen elizabeth - won't biodegrade. later this week the body of queen elizabeth will l won't biodegrade. later this week. the body of queen elizabeth will lie in state in westminster hall. elaine will be one of many of thousands of people expected to pay their respects. in 1965 she filed past winston churchill's body when he was afforded the same honour. mr; winston churchill's body when he was afforded the same honour. my mother made me queue _ afforded the same honour. my mother made me queue with _ afforded the same honour. my mother made me queue with my _ afforded the same honour. my mother made me queue with my little - afforded the same honour. my mother made me queue with my little sister l made me queue with my little sister and we kept saying, we want to go home, we were so tiny, but now i

appreciate why my parents brought me to see him because he was a legend in their life as she is in mine stop ijust want these in their life as she is in mine stop i just want these memories and i think someone so special and what she did for our country and the way she did for our country and the way she led our country, ifeel she did for our country and the way she led our country, i feel i she did for our country and the way she led our country, ifeel i need to do that to represent myself to her. , ., ., , , to do that to represent myself to her. , , ,. her. this floral tribute is expected to crow her. this floral tribute is expected to grow and _ her. this floral tribute is expected to grow and grow— her. this floral tribute is expected to grow and grow over _ her. this floral tribute is expected to grow and grow over the - her. this floral tribute is expected to grow and grow over the coming days. london's green park has become a striking symbol of what queen elizabeth meant to so many. tim muffet, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the day's other news now. ukraine's president zelensky has accused russia of causing extensive blackouts in the east of the country, in revenge for the the counter—attacks that have been mounted in the last few days. mr zelensky said russia has attacked critical civilian infrastructure to try to deprive people

of heat and light. after months of deadlock, ukraine's fightback against russia has been gathering pace in the south and east of the country. these blue circles show where the heaviest fighting has been in the past 48 hours. president zelensky has said his army is liberating ukraine step—by—step. ukraine is claiming to have retaken more than a thousand square miles of territory. hugo bachega reports from kyiv. as ukraine advances, russia responds. kyiv says this power plant in kharkiv was hit by missiles last night. ukraine accuses moscow of attacking civilian infrastructure on purpose. in retaliation for an offensive that continues to make rapid gains. as the russians fled, they left these behind. a local official says ukrainian forces outnumber the occupying troops by 8—1 in their push to reclaim territory.

russia says its forces are regrouping but in some places there are signs of a hasty retreat. a humiliating setback for moscow. in liberated areas, jubilation. ukraine says more than 20 villages have been retaken in the past 24—hour is. almost all the kharkiv region is now backin almost all the kharkiv region is now back in ukrainian hands. president zelensky says this could be a potential breakthrough and that the winter could see more progress. translation: the winter could see more progress. translation:— winter could see more progress. translation: ., , , , , translation: the world is impressed because the enemy _ translation: the world is impressed because the enemy is _ translation: the world is impressed because the enemy is panicking - translation: the world is impressed because the enemy is panicking and i because the enemy is panicking and ukraine is proud of our worries and we believe in you, praise for you, and is waiting for you.— and is waiting for you. ukraine still faces _ and is waiting for you. ukraine still faces huge _ and is waiting for you. ukraine still faces huge challenges - and is waiting for you. ukraine still faces huge challenges butj and is waiting for you. ukraine l still faces huge challenges but it has been consistent in its message that it needs more weapons and around a fifth of the country remains under occupation. what is happening now could be decisive in this conflict. hugo bachega, bbc news.

0ur russia editor steve rosenberg is in moscow. clear setbacks for russia on the battlefield — what has been the kremlin's response? this is what vladimir putin wrote's spokesman said, russia's special military operation continues and will continue until all the tasks that were initially set have been fulfilled. so, outwardly, no change, no panic in the kremlin, but they are definitely signs of concern and last night russian television, russian state tv�*s flagship news programme said, on the front lines of the special operation this has been the toughest week so far, and the presenter explained that because russian forces had been outnumbered in the kharkiv region they had pulled back. officially this has not been called a retreat in russia, and the phrase used is regrouping, russian troops, but whatever you

call it it has a sparked anger amongst some patriotic russian broadcasters who have criticised a taken by the defence ministry. the powerful chechen leader has also criticised the russian military and he said he may take his concerns to the top of the russian military or the top of the russian military or the political leadership, in other words vladimir putin. what does this mean for words vladimir putin. what does this meanfoeradimir putin? words vladimir putin. what does this mean for vladimir putin? it strikes mean for vladimir putin? it strikes me that over 20 years he has had a reputation of being a winner, a politician who always manages to extricate himself from a difficult situation, but after the 24th of debris and the russian invasion, he seems to have lost that aura of invincibility —— 24th of february. steve, thanks forjoining us. we go to edinburgh because the plane carrying king charles iii isjust

about to come into land. the king is flying to edinburgh where he will lead a procession behind the queen's coffin from the palace of holyroodhouse to st giles' cathedral. earlierthis holyroodhouse to st giles' cathedral. earlier this morning he visited the uk parliament for the first time since taking the throne. and along with the queen consort he had messages of condolence from both houses in the ancient westminster hall. our royal correspondent is with me now. the king is there now in his plane coming to land in scotland. the significance of this? very significant. of course. that the king should be visiting scotland, given the importance of the position of scotland. and he

really rather challenging nature, perhaps, of the relationship between scotland and the monarchy, given the uncertainties and the debate about the union, so it is appropriate that his first visit having come down from the balmoral yesterday should be back to scotland. i think once again he is on a private charter aircraft which is maybe a bit curious but i'm sure there must be good reason for that. but it is important to affirm and deepen the relationship insofar as he can between the monarchy and scotland because it is going to be i would imagine, something of a challenging time, given the uncertainties that there are and although the snp policy is to favour keeping the monarchy as the king of scots, there

are significant voices within the snp that would favour a republic. so very important that the king goes to scotland and in his programme this afternoon, of course, after the procession to transfer the queen's coffin from the palace of holyroodhouse to st giles' cathedral in which the king will walk behind the coffin and then the service of prayer and reflection for the life of the queen, then later the king will have an audience with the first minister nicola sturgeon and he will attend the scottish parliament to receive a motion of condolence and he will make a reply. so an important opportunity for him to talk about the importance of scotland to him as monarch and the importance of scotland to the monarchy and i think that will be a significant moment. they have clearly given a lot of thought to all of the speeches around the home

capitals of the united kingdom. he will be going on to northern ireland and wales, but it is hugely important that this first visit and the first speech he will make outside london will be in edinburgh. there is a significance to that. and then of course the vigil at st giles' cathedral this evening. so all very symbolic but there is a deep significance behind these symbolic events. this deep significance behind these symbolic events.— deep significance behind these s mbolic events. �* , ., deep significance behind these s mbolic events. ~ , ., ., symbolic events. as you mentioned, a tour of the uk — symbolic events. as you mentioned, a tour of the uk nations _ symbolic events. as you mentioned, a tour of the uk nations and _ symbolic events. as you mentioned, a tour of the uk nations and we - symbolic events. as you mentioned, a tour of the uk nations and we heard . tour of the uk nations and we heard from the prime minister's spokesman saying this is not a requirement but it is believed that this will be a significant moment of national mourning around the uk. it is all art of mourning around the uk. it is all part of the _ mourning around the uk. it is all part of the programme _ mourning around the uk. it is all part of the programme which - mourning around the uk. it is all| part of the programme which has mourning around the uk. it is all- part of the programme which has been carefully thought out over many years for the king to establish his new reign. they do not want to be thought of as promoting a

metropolitan monarchy based out of london. we note the king's fondness for the other parts of the uk, and he has been a prince of wales and thatis he has been a prince of wales and that is a position he has taken very strongly. whenever we see him in scotland he delights in wearing the kilt which is a hugely important part of the nation to him, and also northern ireland. so it is important for the new king to be seen to be getting out of london, to be beginning this tour of the other home nations, and to deepen the relationship insofar as he can between the monarchy and those nations through the speeches he will be making in each of the national capitals. it be making in each of the national caitals. , . , be making in each of the national caitals. ,. , , _ be making in each of the national caitals. , ., , , ,, ., capitals. it is a very busy time for the kin: capitals. it is a very busy time for the king and _ capitals. it is a very busy time for the king and we _ capitals. it is a very busy time for the king and we should _ capitals. it is a very busy time for the king and we should not - capitals. it is a very busy time for| the king and we should not forget capitals. it is a very busy time for. the king and we should not forget he is a son who is mourning his mother.

yes, he is the oldest person to inherit the throne. he is 73. according to people who know him he is full of energy and it will be quite tiring for him and the queen consort who is not quite as used to and is disciplined in the way of royal protocol or royal requirements as the king is but he relies hugely on camilla, the queen consort, she was there supporting him as are the other members of the family, and it is quite touching and significant that we have heard from both of his sons, william and harry with harry pledging his support to his father as king in the statement that he issued this morning will stop we will continue to speculate about the true nature of the relationship between the prince and princess of wales as we must call them and the duke and duchess of sussex, but i

think there will be great hope that this is a moment when the estrangement will be starting to be amended and the signs are, although impossible to say how much you can read into that, but i'm sure that with the encouragement of the king whose aircraft is now taxiing into its stand at edinburgh international airport, there is no doubt that the king would wish harry as much as possible to rejoin the family. it may be hoping for too much at this stage do hope that he might resume any kind of working role within the royal family but if at least the fracture can start to be healed, i think that will be very important, and i think it is no secret and entirely natural that charles has been very hurt and other members of the family by the things that have

been said and the things that have been said and the things that have been said and the things that have been said in various interviews, by the feeling that all the efforts he has made over the years have not been appreciated. but that is part of the domestic side of this which is not an aspect that is necessary something to be focusing on at the moment. certainly physically, yes. what is difficult to determine is to what extent that is a substantive coming together. the appearance on saturday in winter of the sussexes and the waleses, and of a lot of attention was paid to it and an awful lot of hopes have been expressed as to what it may lead to, but i think at this stage it is too early to say, but i think the king

would certainly hope that harry and meghan would wish to be as fully engaged in the ceremonies, and in the procedures that we will be seeing over the next week as possible. and high have no doubt at all that harry will wish that. band all that harry will wish that. and now the royal — all that harry will wish that. and now the royal plane has landed in edinburgh, and the king is going to be at the palace of holyroodhouse, he is going to be taking part in the ceremony of the keys, where he will symbolically receive and then return the keys to the city, and then this afternoon, the king taking part in that procession to convey the queen's coffin along the royal mile in edinburgh to st giles' cathedral, before a service of thanksgiving for her life. and then there will be a chance for memos of the public, nick, to pay their respects, as her

coffin lies at rest.— coffin lies at rest. indeed. and that will be — coffin lies at rest. indeed. and that will be an _ coffin lies at rest. indeed. and that will be an important - that will be an important opportunity for the people of scotland and in particularfor the people of edinburgh, which perhaps is more regally inclined than some other parts of scotland, but it will be interesting to see how many people turn out for the opportunity to view the coffin as it lies at rest in st giles' cathedral before its transfer then to london tomorrow. and then, the very big opportunity that there will be, as it lies in state in westminster hall, from a 5pm on wednesday, until the early hours of next monday, before the state funeral, and that is a huge operation to manage, and i see that already there are predictions that the accused to attend the lying in state in

westminster hall in london could be several miles long. —— the queues. but this is something which the authorities at the palace of westminster and elsewhere have had much time to think about, it occupies a considerable section in the overall plan for london bridge, as it is termed, operation marquee, the lying in state in london. and the lying in state in london. and the management of the crowds is going to be a very challenging operation, i would going to be a very challenging operation, iwould have going to be a very challenging operation, i would have thought. talking as though in some instances, people will be waiting overnight, but they will be trying to keep cues moving as much as possible. however, before we get to that, the lying in state in london, we have the lying at rest of the coffin in st giles' cathedral tonight, and i think we would expect to see a vigil perhaps involving some members of the royal family at some point later this evening. but there, the aircraft which has brought the king from

london up to edinburgh, standing on the tarmac at edinburgh airport, with the limousines all ready to convey the king and the queen consort from edinburgh airport. the comparatively short distance into edinburgh, to the palace of holyroodhouse, where, of course, the queen's coffin has been at rest overnight, and an opportunity for the staff at holyroodhouse, where she spent a week every year, and another important royal residence, for the staff there to pay their respects overnight. and again, the royal limousine flying the royal standard, and we can't really see at this distance but i'm sure that that is the royal standard for scotland, which does differentiate itself from the royal standard from the united kingdom, the difference being that

lion rampant of scotland occupies two of the quarters, whereas in the one for the united kingdom, it would just one of the quarters, which is an awful lot of heraldry, but there it is one of those points to differentiate, and to underline, the importance of the position of the monarchy in scotland. scotland is a nation alongside england, it is always wrong to refer to the queen of england, or the king of england, he is not, and she never was, she was queen of the united kingdom. and he is king of the united kingdom. the term king of england isjust wrong. since the union of the crowns, the oath that the monarch takes at their coronation is to reign over as queen or king of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland and their other

realms and territories. there it is, it is always a bit of a model, it is quite difficult to navigate your way through all the, not contradictions, but the complexities, shall we say, of the british constitution. band of the british constitution. and nick, all of _ of the british constitution. and nick, all of these _ of the british constitution. and nick, all of these ceremonial today and over the next few days, long planned, of course, how much of charles's stamp would you say there is on all of this?— is on all of this? well, i think a significant _ is on all of this? well, i think a significant amount. _ is on all of this? well, i think a significant amount. but - is on all of this? well, i think a significant amount. but of - is on all of this? well, i think a l significant amount. but of course much of it is rooted in protocol, and procedure and constitutional necessity, which is not susceptible to the whims of any particular individual. we have heard an awful lot about how at his coronation he might be declared as defender of faith, ratherthan might be declared as defender of faith, rather than as defender of the faith, well, i think that is probably not true, it does not need to be spelt out as specifically as that, we know his considerable and genuine interest in other faiths.

this document, this london