this is bbc news. hello, i'm ros atkins. a week on from the death of queen elizabeth, tens of thousands are queuing to pay their respects to the monarch. prince william has been meeting well—wishers at sandringham — telling them how walking behind his grandmother's coffin brought back memories of his own mother's death. in london, people are being warned that they will have to queue for eight hours or more to see the queen lying in state. i'm shaun ley at westminster, where the palace has released more details of queen elizabeth's funeral, to be held on monday. also this hour: president putin admits china has concerns about the war in ukraine

as he meets president xijinping for the first time since the invasion. and one of the all—time tennis greats, roger federer, announces his retirement. welcome to the programme. with shaun ley in westminster and me, ros atkins, in the bbc news room. tens of thousands of people are waiting for their turn to pay their respects to queen elizabeth ii at westminster hall where she is lying in state. these are live pictures from westminster, where the queue is currently stretching over some five km. some people have waited for more than eight hours to get here, inside westminster hall, where the closed coffin is being guarded by soldiers

from units that serve the royal household. that process will continue, 2a hours a day, until monday morning at 6.30am. for the latest, we can nowjoin shaun ley in westminster. hello and thank you very much. hello to all of you watching, whether you're in the uk or around the world. here in westminster is the opportunity for members of the public, as well as the politicians who work any palace at westminster behind me, to pay their respects, to have their moment to mark the passing of the queen. now, the public opportunity to do so lasts as it began yesterday all the way through last night, through today, on friday, over the weekend, day and night. people will be joining this queue, locking, pacing themselves and being guided at a steady pace to

keep the numbers going, keep the flow going, to avoid bottlenecks, all the security risks that come from bottlenecks, in order by 6:30am on monday morning, for as many people to have had the opportunity to say goodbye to queen elizabeth. the last time a monarch was lying in state in this country was in 1952. that was the queen's father, king george vi, as he was, and in his case, about... a tradition that only goes back about 100 years, but every monarch since edward vii, infact. this lunchtime, royal officials

have confirmed details for monday's state funeral for queen elizabeth ii. the service will be held at westminster abbey in london before the late queen is taken to be buried at windsor castle. the queen will be interred along with the duke of edinburgh in st george's chapel in a private service at 7.30pm on monday. a chapel where her majesty frequently worshiped privately and with members of her immediate family. king charles and his siblings will hold a vigil there at 6.30 tomorrow evening. earlier at sandringham, prince william told well—wishers how difficult walking behind his grandmother's coffin was yesterday, saying it brought back memories of his mother diana's funeral 25 years ago. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph reports. viewing the carpet of flowers and tributes, the prince and princess of wales came to sandringham to say thank you, to the staff, to the community, who supported the queen throughout her reign.

it was an emotional return to the norfolk estate, a chance to chat and reflect on events of the past week. the prince of wales was asked about walking behind his grandmother's coffin to westminster hall yesterday. doing the walk yesterday was challenging. brought back a few memories. "challenging, it brought back memories," he said. the sombre walk from buckingham palace alongside prince harry a reminder of when, as a 15—year—old, he walked the same route behind his mother's coffin, the pain of past anguish still keenly felt. william spent many happy christmases at sandringham. it was a sanctuary for the royal family, a place they could retreat to. and every february, the queen came to remember herfather, who died at the norfolk estate 70 years ago. but today, sandringham remembered the queen.

i just said my sincere condolences to both her and william, and also to king charles iii and to the royal family, because i'm heartbroken that our lovely queen is gone. across the generations, they came to see the prince and princess. there were lighter moments as well, with many filming their exchanges with william and catherine on their phones. i love he's got his little guardsman t—shirt on! is there paddington as well? i think paddington might have knocked the corgi off the top spot now. the corgis won't take that very well. we spoke to william and we spoke to kate. they both said about his little outfits, how nice they were. they were just really nice and genuine people. to say thanks for the queen, everything she's done and all the things they're doing for everyone. it'sjust so nice. the prince and princess of wales are key to the future

of the royal family. they are the younger face of modern monarchy, but their new roles bring added pressure and scrutiny. today was an official duty, but also a chance to share their sadness with many who viewed the royal family as neighbours. daniela relph, bbc news, sandringham. 0ne image you may rememberfrom almost 18 months ago now, when this country was still going through one of its lockdowns, designed to restrict the spreading of covid, was when the queen herself was mourning her husband, the duke of edinburgh. she sat alone, seated alone inside st george's chapel in windsor. the contrast could not be more dramatic with the event we have seen on monday, when it is expect that 2000 people, which is pretty much the capacity of westminster abbey the will gather they will be the prime minister of this country liz truss and her husband, prime ministers and

presidents from the president of the united states through to all the other countries of the european union, africa, the prime minister of australia, anthony albanese, who says talking about the republic is the future and for now his country expecting to be here in london pay his respects. a finalfarewell to britain's august reigning monarch, and those world leaders will be joined by members of the queen's family —— longest reigning. her coffin will be taken to windsor, beyond london, to the suburbs beyond, and berkshire in the royal borough as it is known of windsor, which is where windsor castle is based, and at the heart of windsor castle is st george's chapel, which is where the queen will be laid to rest with her late husband, the duke

of edinburgh. the bbc�*s royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. it rests on the catafalque, a brightly lit coffin which has become the focus of a nation's sadness. within the ancient walls of westminster hall, so many emotions, so many individual expressions of gratitude and respect. thousands have already filed through. many tens of thousands more are expected over the weekend. and as the nation mourns, preparations are advancing for queen elizabeth's state funeral. on monday, the first procession will be from the palace of westminster to westminster abbey. at 10.35, the queen's coffin will be borne from westminster hall. it will be taken in procession via parliament square and broad sanctuary to the west gate of westminster abbey. it will arrive there at 10.52.

in the darkness of the early morning, all the elements are being meticulously rehearsed... ..the finishing touches to plans drawn up over many years. the procession to the abbey will be led by the massed pipes and drums of all the scottish and irish regiments in the british army. and this is the most visible sign that this is to be a full state funeral, the like of which we haven't seen in britain since winston churchill's in 1965. the state gun carriage will be drawn by 150 royal navy ratings, rather than by horses. inside westminster abbey will be a congregation of 2,000. among them, heads of state including the us presidentjoe biden, with heads of government and representatives from virtually every country in the world. at approximately 11.55, the last post will sound and there will be a national

two—minute silence. then, the procession, from westminster abbey to wellington arch. the state gun carriage will be drawn from the abbey around parliament square, up whitehall and across horse guards and then — via the mall — pass buckingham palace, and finally, up constitution hill to wellington arch at hyde park corner. there, under wellington arch, the coffin will be transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse, ready for the journey to windsor. the route to be taken from hyde park corner to windsor hasn't so far been disclosed. however, officials recognise the need for the public to be as closely involved as possible. the queen, and indeed other members of the royal family, particularly prince philip when he was alive, took a close interest in this, to try and make sure that it combined the dignity of the occasion, the formality of the occasion, with as much access as possible for people to see the coffin at close quarters.

the final element of the funeral plan will see the hearse travelling up the long walk at windsor, then into the castle's main quadrangle and then down the slope to st george's chapel. inside the chapel, at four o'clock, the committal service will begin. at the end of it, the instruments of state — the monarch�*s crown and the orb and sceptre — will be removed from the coffin. and later, in a private service, the queen's coffin will be laid to rest with that of her late husband. nicholas witchell, bbc news. with me is the historian and author sir anthony seldon. sir anthony, you spend a lot of your time exploring the hidden machinery, the hidden wiring of the state. what

is the relationship, the bit of the relationship, between monarch and government that we don't see? the meetin . s, government that we don't see? tue meetings, the government that we don't see? tte meetings, the weekly government that we don't see? t'tjé: meetings, the weekly meetings government that we don't see? ttj: meetings, the weekly meetings with the monarch. we know her majesty the queen had 15 different prime ministers, got through an alarming rate. we don't really know what happened in those meetings because the prime minister is honour bound never to say, but, the prime minister is honour bound neverto say, but, look, the prime minister is honour bound never to say, but, look, they are clearly not going to be saying, do this or do that. they are listening, maybe shaping and guiding a bit, but it would be a very different prime ministers ship, a very different country without a monarch. it is a strange thing that britain is both a monarchy and a democracy. anyone looking from mars, and there might be people looking at us now, particularly the bbc, from mars, why not, that this country look much more like a monarchy because of all of the bedazzled around the monarchy

in this week then the prime minister. we have forgotten we got a new prime minister last week. almost, that has kind of gone into the margins of the story, which is a short ordinary. —— extraordinary. she has been in office in a week and it has taken a back—seat. probably wiser to take a back—seat, but there are those who say, this pageantry and pop which is terrific for tourism and great for oursense terrific for tourism and great for our sense of identity and pride, it kind of muddies the water. it allows the politicians, perhaps, to be a little bit more opaque than they may be should be or maybe would be in a democracy really had a —— where we had a democratically elected head of state. figs -- where we had a democratically elected head of state.— elected head of state. as in the united states _ elected head of state. as in the united states of _ elected head of state. as in the united states of america, - elected head of state. as in the united states of america, who l elected head of state. as in the - united states of america, who broke against this country in reaction to then monarch king george iii, and monarchies are in decline. there were 101 of the

—— when elizabeth came to the throne, and they're less now, and many are meaningless. and numbers supporting seem to be in decline. 75% according to you love it supported the monarchy, now down to six to 2%, with some 20% wanting to get rid of it. that is quite a high number. if that number rose to over 50% of the monarchy will go. it is only there because of popular support. in only there because of popular su ort. , ., ., ., support. in terms of what we saw at the weekend. _ support. in terms of what we saw at the weekend, privy _ support. in terms of what we saw at the weekend, privy council, - support. in terms of what we saw at the weekend, privy council, the - the weekend, privy council, the formal announcement and confirmation of the king, although he was already king the moment his mother died, some of the mystery was removed, the first time it had been televised. can you conceive of king charles making further moves in that direction, saying, actually, we need to let the sunlight in any more? yes, i can, and he is clearly in

favour of openness and transparency. he wants to be a very visible monarch. his agenda, we know, about the environment and local crafts and communities and mental health, holistic education, notjust a mad narrow focus on exams. he is right there with the agenda of the 21st century and that includes visibility. i can expect them to go further. i would expect him, yet. sir anthony seldon, author, working on another book... you've got one more book to do, haven't you, for this queen?— more book to do, haven't you, for this queen? �* ., ~ , this queen? another prime minister! anthony seldon. _ this queen? another prime minister! anthony seldon, thank _ this queen? another prime minister! anthony seldon, thank you _ this queen? another prime minister! anthony seldon, thank you very - this queen? another prime minister! i anthony seldon, thank you very much. well, the queues for westminster hall... we anticipate they have gone about

six hours to get from the beginning to the end. behind me, you kind of think you are almost there, and you are almost there. probably you are another half an hour from getting into see the body of the queen, to see the coffin, to see the pyre on which it is supported, in which it stands, and that bit of the q has taken people about five hours to get to. if we go to the left of me, which is down towards the river thames, you will see a section of the shot which gives you an idea. that is what you might call a chicane arrangement. people get to that and say, i can see beyond that, that will take me a short amount of time. we were told it will get you about two hours to get from one end of the chicane to the other. imagine a terrifying version of snakes and ladders. you not go backwards, but you do have the chance to progress, and all this is designed to slow down and studied

the path of the progress by which people are making towards westminster hall, where they will get that opportunity to pay their respects. nobody wants a scrum, nobody otherwise once those kinds of points where suddenly everybody is pushed together, nobody is moving forward, and something that potentially becomes a security risk, so all of this is designed to prevent that possibility. if we take a look at what people face when they finally get from here where i am now, that half an hourjourney up towards westminster hall, those covered areas, those tents, glorified tents, rather more substantial than tents, our airport style security, and you could argue that this whole thing is like an airport waiting to get your flight, anxious whether or not you will get through security in time. by the time you get to security, you're in the home straight. just to the bottom left—hand corner of the screen, behind advantage, is where you can find the entrance to westminster hall. it is on the

western side of the palace of westminster, the eastern site if you're looking from the river, and thatis you're looking from the river, and that is the oldest part of the palace of westminster. it dates back almost 1000 years the stuff and we can also show you the queue on the other side of the river. this is where it stretches along lambeth bridge. if you look at where those people are walking, they are coming up people are walking, they are coming up across the bridge. this is people on our side, walking up towards lambeth bridge. they will go over lambeth bridge, to the north side of the river, they will almost double back on themselves but this time on the other side of the river, to get back on towards westminster, where they willjoin the crowd here. they have come up from lambeth bridge, roughly at the top of the picture, they will walk down the top right of they will walk down the top right of the picture of babeljoin that chicane, they will work their way

through, zigzagging for two hours or more and they will come behind me, where they will make a stately pace. fortunately no one has to march like a guardsman to get in to the westminster hall. let's take a look at the map because that gives you a sense perhaps of where we are geographically, if you know london. the river thames snakes its way through central london, just like if you stand on some of the buildings here you get a peculiar sense of where you are because the river appears and disappears, then suddenly appears over your shoulder. the start of the queue is at the south of the river, lambeth bridge. if only you could sit and have your sandwiches, because the garden at mammoth palace is one of the most beautiful in england. you go across the river, you work your way along the river, you work your way along the picture there towards westminster hall, on the north side of the river, just by westminster bridge, and then you will be glad to

know so far there is a tube station just across that you can collapse on a train and head home. metropolitan police officers are providing the service and volunteers and stewards are managing the queue. toilets and water fountains are provided at various points. and there is a special access point for those with disabilities. they do not have to wait that long. our special correspondent lucy manning has been talking to those who have been queuing. it's the long and winding road to westminster hall, stretching miles through the capital. it is glorious. the desire to pay tribute to the queen can be measured, in people standing shoulder to shoulderfor more than four miles. some journeys even longer than just the queue here. becky from ayrshire took

the overnight bus from glasgow. came into victoria station at 6.50, and i'vejust been queueing since then. managed to get to the end of the queue, and i'll get a bus back tonight. so why have you made this massive journey? i do, i love the queen and ijust wanted to come down. she'sjust like a gran, i suppose. without knowing her, you feel like you do know her. after nearly six hours, becky was overcome by her moment by the coffin. it kind of hit you in that moment, that that's it, really. i'm getting a wee bit emotional. it's sad. but it's something that i'll never forget. and i'm so glad that i came here. it was worth the journey. darkness didn't deter. few see the hours here as an effort, more of an experience. joy left manchester at 5am in the morning, joining the queue at 9.00.

it's absolutely amazing. the camaraderie isjust something that you can't put into words unless you're in this queue. you actually feel it. it's great. we're not sure how many more hours there are to go. we feel that we're near, but i think we're far. many hours later... spine—chilling, in the aura that was in there, and the sheer magnificence and beauty of her late majesty's coffin. but to be actually there in the here and the now, i can't believe that me and my friends have done that. 17—year—old kabir, feeling the six hours of waiting and walking. how long have you been queueing for, until this point? since 8.30. how has it been? long. i'm tired, but i get to see the queen. | m t. a — once—in—a—lifetime moment. this is probably going to be the last queen. j

this part of the queue is opposite st paul's, but officials will need to decide at the weekend when to close it, to ensure that all those who are still in get the chance to file past the queen's coffin before the lying—in—state ends. inside, we are witnessing simple acts of remembrance and respect. whether you held the highest office in the land orjust work in one, everyone has their moment — a salute... ..a tear... ..a kiss... ..silent thoughts about the queen. lucy manning, bbc news. a personal moment of reflection for each and every one of the people who have spent so much of their time to be with us. that's it from us at

westminster. do you stay with us on bbc news, where we will bring you the very latest on her majesty's lying in state and the state funeral on monday. shaun, thank you very much indeed, and there is further coverage on the bbc news website under the life page. ——, the life page. let's turn to a very big sports story that came through a few hours ago. roger federer has announced his retirement from tennis at the end of this month. the 41—year—old swiss player has won 20 grand slam titles and is regarded by many as one of the sports all time greats. but he's struggled with a knee problem for the past three years and has not played a match since last year's wimbledon. in a statement to fans, he said... well, the last person to play

roger federer on a world stage is poland's current world number ten, hubert hurkacz. he beat federer in straight sets at wimbledon last year. hubertjoins me now from monaco. thank you very much indeed for joining us. i wonder, when you were a boy, how you viewed federer. thank ou for a boy, how you viewed federer. thank you for having — a boy, how you viewed federer. thank you for having me. _ a boy, how you viewed federer. thank you for having me. definitely - a boy, how you viewed federer. tta�*taz you for having me. definitely roger has been an inspiration for me, as i was eight years old. i was watching him palais, competing at the highest level, and then having a chance to see him and to practice with him and to play with him —— watching him play. it was a very special thing for me, but he inspired so many people, and some amazing stuff on a tennis court and outside of it, so he is such a legend. and the first sunday played — he is such a legend. and the first sunday played him, _ he is such a legend. and the first sunday played him, what - he is such a legend. and the first sunday played him, what was - he is such a legend. and the first sunday played him, what was it i sunday played him, what was it like to be across the net from someone who had worship from afar?-

to be across the net from someone who had worship from afar? yeah, as a kid, ou who had worship from afar? yeah, as a kid, you dreamed _ who had worship from afar? yeah, as a kid, you dreamed to _ who had worship from afar? yeah, as a kid, you dreamed to play _ a kid, you dreamed to play those amazing players —— the first time you played him public was it like against some of you had worship. you are little bit stressed and you're just trying your best, but he is an amazing athlete and you know the decisions he was able to make in the decisions he was able to make in the crucial moments, they were something special, and not many people could have done that. find people could have done that. and then ou people could have done that. and then you yourself played a very special game in the quarterfinals of wimbledon, his last game on the world stage, where you beat him in straight sets. what are your memories of that day? that straight sets. what are your memories of that day? that was, to -la ro . er memories of that day? that was, to play roger and _ memories of that day? that was, to play roger and then _ memories of that day? that was, to play roger and then to _ memories of that day? that was, to play roger and then to have - memories of that day? that was, to play roger and then to have a - memories of that day? that was, to | play roger and then to have a chance to play him in front of an amazing fan at wimbledon, for a full crowd, just the people cheering, watching him play,

watching me play as well, and the supporters, it shows how much he has done to the sport, to tennis and also outside of the sport how many people he brought in and were able to achieve —— cheerfor —— cheer for him —— cheerfor him and be inspired by him. -- cheer for him and be inspired by him. , ., .., , ., -- cheer for him and be inspired by him. , ., , ., , him. hubert, of course, those of us who do not — him. hubert, of course, those of us who do not play _ him. hubert, of course, those of us who do not play tennis, _ him. hubert, of course, those of us who do not play tennis, we - him. hubert, of course, those of us who do not play tennis, we only - him. hubert, of course, those of us| who do not play tennis, we only see him when he is effing interviews or when he is playing the game. those of you on the tour may see him in different situations. what is he like in the locker room, what is he likely from the cameras? definitely, he is a great — likely from the cameras? definitely, he is a great person. _ likely from the cameras? definitely, he is a great person. he _ likely from the cameras? definitely, he is a great person. he is - likely from the cameras? definitely, he is a great person. he is very - he is a great person. he is very relaxed and thoughtful, but as a person, to meet him, he is really super nice and definitely a person to look up to. find super nice and definitely a person to look no to-_ super nice and definitely a person to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling — to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling about _ to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling about your— to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling about your game - to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling about your game in - to look up to. and i wonder how you are feeling about your game in this |

are feeling about your game in this few days. we have a new world number one after the us open, we have federer retiring, we know rafa nadal has injury problems, that we hope he plays on. it feels like that great generation is in part reaching its and. ~ , ~ ., ., and. we definitely know with roger retirin: and and. we definitely know with roger retiring and then _ and. we definitely know with roger retiring and then carlos _ and. we definitely know with roger retiring and then carlos alvarez - retiring and then carlos alvarez becoming world number one, new things are happening in tennis —— carlos alcaraz. we help people are enjoying it, but roger retiring at labour co—op will be an amazing spectacle. indie labour co-op will be an amazing sectacle. ~ ~' ., labour co-op will be an amazing soeetacle-_ labour co-op will be an amazing sectacle. ~ ~' ., ., spectacle. we think of roger federer as one of the — spectacle. we think of roger federer as one of the greatest _ spectacle. we think of roger federer as one of the greatest players - spectacle. we think of roger federer as one of the greatest players that i as one of the greatest players that has ever been. when you were playing against him, what was it that made you think, how is he done that, what was it that made them different to other players? t was it that made them different to other olayers?_

other players? i think the bravery and the commitment, _ other players? i think the bravery and the commitment, the - other players? i think the bravery l and the commitment, the decisions other players? i think the bravery - and the commitment, the decisions in the important moments, to make the right decision and just to go for it, to be aggressive, and i think that's what made him super special, and the class that he was hitting the ball, not many people can hit the ball, not many people can hit the ball like he was doing it in the most important moments, that made him super special. indie most important moments, that made him super special.— him super special. we appreciate you “oininr us him super special. we appreciate you joining us on — him super special. we appreciate you joining ns on bbc— him super special. we appreciate you joining us on bbc news. _ him super special. we appreciate you joining us on bbc news. thank - him super special. we appreciate you joining us on bbc news. thank you i joining us on bbc news. thank you very much indeed for your time. that is hubert hurkacz, pulled in's world number ten and the last man to play roger federer on the world stage ——:�*s. that at wimbledon. roger federer saying he will play one more time at the laver cup next week. there has been plenty of reaction to federer�*s announcement. world number three rafael nadal has paid tribute to one of his greatest on—court rivals. in a post on instagram he said,

"dear roger, my friend and rival, i wish this day would have never come. it's a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world." the current world number one and new us open champion, carlos alcaraz, said on twitter: "roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration. thank you for everything you have done for our sport!" let's turn away from sport, because there has been an incredibly important meeting today focused on relations between china and russia. the two countries have had their first summit level talks since russia attacked ukraine earlier this year. the summit took place in uzbekistan. president putin thanked xi jinping for what he called china's balanced position on the war. but mr putin acknowledged that beijing also has concerns about russia's invasion of ukraine. let's go live to steve rosenberg in moscow. steve, tell me more about these concerns and how they were acknowledged by president putin? tt

acknowledged by president putin? tt was a really interesting to hear that from vladimir putin. it was quite unexpected too, because publicly beijing hasn't talked about its concerns over what russia calls the special military operation in ukraine, yet here was the kremlin leader at this meeting with president xi revealing to the world that beijing has these concerns. what we don't know is what happened after that, when the journalists left the hall in the closed part of that meeting, we don't know whether president xi laid out in more detail what those concerns are, and we don't know whether those concerns will make the kremlin pause for thought about what it is doing in ukraine. �* �* . ~ thought about what it is doing in ukraine. �* �* ., ,, , ., thought about what it is doing in ukraine. �* �* ., ,, ., ukraine. and we've talked with you a lot about the — ukraine. and we've talked with you a lot about the energy _ ukraine. and we've talked with you a lot about the energy impacts - ukraine. and we've talked with you a lot about the energy impacts of - ukraine. and we've talked with you a lot about the energy impacts of the l lot about the energy impacts of the war in ukraine on western europe, but china also buys some russian energy. does that come up today's

site? , ., , , ., ., , energy. does that come up today's site? , ., ,, ., ., , ., energy. does that come up today's site? , ., ., , .,, site? yes, and russia wants to sell more of its — site? yes, and russia wants to sell more of its energy. _ site? yes, and russia wants to sell more of its energy. because - site? yes, and russia wants to sellj more of its energy. because russia is trying to pivot from the west to the east, it sees the market in the east, the energy market, is very attractive, so it wants to try to sell us much gas and oil as it can. the problem that russia has is that it is not easy to quickly reorient its energy infrastructure. all the pipelines that have been built over decades have basically been built going west, so it is going to take a lot of money and a lot of time and energy to build more pipelines going to china, for example. there is one gas pipeline that already exists to china, there is talk of building another one via mongolia, but this is going to take a long time, and there are a lot of experts here who think despite moscow being very bullish and saying, if we are suffering from all these western sanctions, we'rejust suffering from all these western sanctions, we're just going to sell our energy to the east, that is not

going to be easy. pond our energy to the east, that is not going to be easy-— going to be easy. and if that is what rnssia — going to be easy. and if that is what russia is _ going to be easy. and if that is what russia is hoping - going to be easy. and if that is what russia is hoping to - going to be easy. and if that is what russia is hoping to do - going to be easy. and if that is | what russia is hoping to do with china, selling to china, what is top of the chinese list of priorities? t of the chinese list of priorities? i think for china, it's important of the chinese list of priorities? t think for china, it's important to have a good relationship, a close relationship, with russia. for some time now, china has seen russia as an important partner, a counterweight if you like to the united states, and i think partly, thatis united states, and i think partly, that is part of the concern that president xi has over what is happening now in ukraine. i think china is concerned that this special military operation is weakening russia. it is not going according to russia's plan, to the kremlin's plan at all. ,, ., ~ russia's plan, to the kremlin's plan at all. ,, ., ,, , ., , russia's plan, to the kremlin's plan at all. ,, ., ~' ,, , . at all. steve, thank you very much indeed. steve _ at all. steve, thank you very much indeed. steve rosenberg, - at all. steve, thank you very much indeed. steve rosenberg, the - at all. steve, thank you very much i indeed. steve rosenberg, the bbc's russia editor. meanwhile in ukraine, government advisor says around a thousand dead bodies have been found in the recently

liberated city of izyum, which had been under russian occupation for months. the number of dead in izyum has not been officially announced or independently verified. the city has been heavily damaged by shelling. from kyiv, our correspondent hugo bachega sent this report. this is what the russians left behind in in izyum, bodies have been found, and allegations of torture are emerging. the horrors of life and occupation. translation: we were | staying in the basements without food and water. russia was providing humanitarian help and initially i refused to take it. to be honest i didn't want to take anything from russia, but we had nothing to eat, we had to survive. ukraine is pressing ahead. it says all invaded territory will be taken back. it knows it won't be easy but it

feels it's got the momentum. here, a show of defiance, a visit by president zelensky with the front line just miles away. his message was as clear as ever. we see that russia has destroyed, but the main thing we are coming back and we are on the way to the end. but russia is fighting back. perhaps it's no coincidence that this time they attacked the president's hometown. a dam was hit and residents had to evacuate. ukraine's advance in kharkiv has been stunning. officials say an area larger than the county of devon was recaptured in just a few days. but what happens next? in the south, the situation is said to be more difficult. there, the top prize is the city of kherson. as many as 20,000 russian troops are believed to be holding up with limited supplies.

after pushing the russians out of the northeast, ukrainians hope to do same elsewhere. much will depend on what this man decides to do. president putin today arrived in uzbekistan for talks with regional leaders. at the top of the agenda, a meeting with president xi of china. for the kremlin, the visit is designed to show that russia isn't isolated and the western sanctions haven't worked, but with his army and the economy in trouble, the world is waiting to see his next move. hugo bachega, bbc news, kyiv. next to hungary, where two significant stories are emerging. first the news that the european parliament says the eu member state can no longer be considered a full democracy. a report adopted by a clear majority described it as an "electoral autocracy in which elections are regularly held but without respecting basic democratic norms". it said this had happened through deliberate and systematic efforts by the right—wing government in budapest. let's hear from our correspondent

nick thorpe on this. is far as the government is concerned, it is the latest criticism, as they see it, the latest unfair criticism of their rule. they have been in powerfor 12 years, they are proud of their own record and the changes they have made to the justice system, to the media and so on, but over those years, the criticism have grown, the number of allies that viktor 0rban and his government had in brussels and his government had in brussels and elsewhere in the eu has diminished, now they have lost their great ally poland, so hungary because of the war in ukraine, so as far as the government is concerned, this is the latest unfair criticism. but how serious it is is that financially, this is a threat to

hungary. they are the last in the eu 27 not to receive the funds it is due under the covid recovery plan, and now looking ahead to the budget, now the eu for the first time has tools in the view of meps in brussels and in strasbourg to punish hungary for what it sees there is backsliding on democracy, so hungary stands to lose a huge amount of money, and that would have a huge effect, it is already having a negative effect, both on the hungarian economy and the status of the hungarian currency, so this is very serious. when he won the latest election in april, they appointed a minister whosejob is election in april, they appointed a minister whose job is effectively to negotiate with the eu and make sure that hungary does just enough to satisfy the eu in order to get all the funds that hungary is due in the coming seven years. so this is very

serious indeed for the government here in hungary. this report came on the same day as new abortion rules come into effect. pregnant women will have to prove they've seen a definitive sign of life from the foetus — such as hearing its heartbeat — before requesting a termination. several doctors and opposition politicians have protested, and human rights groups have called it an attempt to traumatise women seeking an abortion. let's hear from nick on this. under hungarian law since the year 1953, abortion has been available on demand in hungary up until the 12th week of pregnancy. nothing has changed on that. what this new regulation which just came into force today means that from now on, the doctor must, as you say, allow the doctor must, as you say, allow the woman or is instructed that he has to, she has to tell the woman, allow them to listen for example to

the fatal heart monitor —— the foetal heart monitor, and they have to be shown evidence that they have a living being inside them, that the foetus is alive. the government justifies this by saying it will help the woman to make a considered decision, this is after all a government which is very much pro family, in their own conception they see this as a way of discouraging abortion. abortion numbers have been going down in the past 12 years since this government came to power. but of course, women's groups, many ordinary women in hungary, feel that this is an unnecessary intervention ljy this is an unnecessary intervention by the state in what should be their own right to choose, that it could further traumatise women who have already taken the very difficult decision to go ahead with an abortion. there are also questions about how effective it can be. it

might be the state really telling doctors what happens in the privacy of their own surgeries, talking to women, that how can the state actually enforce this? so many questions being asked about this, the conservative side seeing this as an important step, and many women into many human rights groups seeing this as a retrograde step, very much against women's rights to choose, women are afraid that they might seek backstreet abortions or even travel to another country in the future to have an abortion. let's return to queen elizabeth lying in state in central london in westminster. tens of thousands of people are still waiting to pay their respects to queen elizabeth ii who is lying in state in westminster hall. here are some of the pictures we have got us those people queue into the evening. this has been referred to as the snake, it is

adjacent to the palace of westminster and as you can see, people are going to and fro as they wait their turn to go through security and then into westminster hall to pay their respects. if we look inside westminster hall, you can see that the guard is being changed. let's stay with this, because those who are standing guard around queen elizabeth's often change —— coffin change every 30 minutes, i believe, that has been playing out throughout the day and will continue into the evening. you can see those who have queued for many hours, some waiting between eight and nine hours, we believe, are also waiting a few moments before passing by the coffin because the guard is being changed. so you can see the queue going up the steps behind, and when it is complete, those two queues will continue. some

people have blown a kiss, some people have blown a kiss, some people have blown a kiss, some people have said a prayer, some people have said a prayer, some people have said a prayer, some people have been in tears, have been drawing their eyes as they pass the coffin. thousands and thousands of people have already paid their respects in westminster, and we know this is day one of four full days of the queen lying in state. this began on wednesday evening through until today, thursday, and it will continue through friday, saturday and sunday, and it will finish at 6:30am on monday, although we have had indications from the authorities that at some point on sunday, they are likely to take a position that anyone who joins the queue may not reach the queen's coffin before 6:30am on monday, so the queue may be closed at some point on sunday, although we don't know exactly when

thatis although we don't know exactly when that is going to happen of course. the reason that this opportunity to pay respects to the queen in westminster hall finishes at 6:30am is that her state funeral begins at 11 o'clock on monday morning. so you can see the changing of the guard by the queen's coffin. yesterday we saw king charles iii and other members of the royal family also paying their respects to the queen within westminster hall. earlier on we saw the former prime minister theresa may and her husband joining the queue of people as they went past, and there you can see the guard has been changed and now very slowly those two queues coming down the steps are splitting either side of the coffin, and pausing to pay their respects. what we are watching here will continue through this evening, through the night. there is no break

in this process, and into tomorrow, and into friday, and were estimates of the length of the queue are varying, between five and seven kilometres, the amount of time people are having to wait is varying between six, seven, eight hours, certainly everyone in the queue, everyone you can see passing through the hole now will have been waiting for a considerable period of time, and the bbc and other broadcasters have been hearing from many people within this queue, none of whom have said that the wait was an issue, and all of whom said they were glad to have the chance queue and pay their respects to queen elizabeth ii. people here in the uk and across the world have been in touch with the bbc to offer us their tributes to the queen and their memories of meeting her. what's clear is that so often, and for so many, a handshake, a photograph, even the briefest conversation, created lasting memories. and we'd like to share some of those memories with you.

one is siok lay from melaka in malaysia. she emailed us to say she was asked to recreate her wedding for the queen on a royal visit in 1972. siok got married in a traditional ceremony. her husband, who was in the local historical society, organised a recreation — and asked siok to stand in at the last minute. she says she was very nervous but the queen smiled and put her at her ease. siok says she was fascinated by the traditional clothes and asked questions about the culture. siok says she's very happy to have met her. stephan pavlou is a businessman who met the queen when he won two queen's awards for enterprise in 2017.

he's on the line from north london. thank you very much indeed for joining us. i wonder what your memories are of that meeting a few years back. memories are of that meeting a few ears back. . ~ memories are of that meeting a few ears back. ., ,, , ., ., years back. thank you for letting me talk about this. _ years back. thank you for letting me talk about this. my _ years back. thank you for letting me talk about this. my memories - years back. thank you for letting me talk about this. my memories are i talk about this. my memories are everlasting. i remember the queen walking into the ballroom at buckingham palace totally unannounced, no fanfare. just walked in, just like somebody�*s grandmother would walk in, and i wasjust gobsmacked and amazed. and when she stopped to talk to me, at first i couldn't really speak. i was kind of just dazed, like a rabbit in headlights. but she soon put me at ease, and she was very friendly and welcoming, and ifelt that ease, and she was very friendly and welcoming, and i felt that there was about a hundred people in the room,

and ifelt about a hundred people in the room, and i felt that nobody else was there, it was just me and i felt that nobody else was there, it wasjust me into and i felt that nobody else was there, it was just me into the queen speaking, and she was totally tuned into what i was saying, totally tuned into my story, totally interested in my story, and ifelt so at ease speaking with her, and it wasn't until afterwards that i was just so astounded how natural and welcoming and warm that she was. it was just unbelievable, and those few minutes talking to her had stayed with me, and i was lucky to have a photograph taken with her that all my family and all my friends have got on their walls, and it feels even more special now, and it is something that you cherish. and even more special now, and it is something that you cherish. and why was that conversation _ something that you cherish. and why was that conversation so _ something that you cherish. and why was that conversation so special- something that you cherish. and why was that conversation so special to i was that conversation so special to you? why was she so special to you?

it was really special to me because it was really special to me because i really admire the queen. i really admire what she does, and i think she's got wonderful humility, and she's got wonderful humility, and she can bejust a she's got wonderful humility, and she can be just a very ordinary person, and comes down to that level where she can just speak to you, i wasjust in all of where she can just speak to you, i was just in all of her presence, really. it was just so special to me, and knowing who she is and the people that she'd met in the world, and here i am, talking to her, you know, it wasjust and here i am, talking to her, you know, it was just amazing. mi and here i am, talking to her, you know, it wasjust amazing.- know, it was 'ust amazing. ali can see our know, it wasjust amazing. ali can see your eyes _ know, it wasjust amazing. ali can see your eyes lighting _ know, it wasjust amazing. ali can see your eyes lighting up - know, it wasjust amazing. ali can see your eyes lighting up as - know, it wasjust amazing. ali can see your eyes lighting up as you i see your eyes lighting up as you talk about that, how much that conversation meant to you. stephan thank you very much for sharing that story with us. a number have people have been in touch with stories about their families.

among them, chris millyard from kidderminster. she discovered the queen had sent her grandparents a food parcel in 19117. she found a letter amongst her late grandfather's papers. one of them is to do with my dad's schooling and the other one is the message, a little note from princess elizabeth, as she would've been at the time, which relates to her wedding and having received lots of food parcels from overseas. and she decided to distribute them amongst poor, humble people of the uk. my grandfather, who was born in 1893 or something like that, they were miners. the miners kept the country going during the war. you know the country had to be kept going. so my take on it, it's one of the reasons, perhaps, why they received a food parcel.

patricia and james willetts from the west midlands celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on wednesday the 8th of september. the day before, they'd received a card of congratulations from the queen. it would have been one of the last she sent. their granddaughter beth moore recorded their reaction. i was delighted to receive the card from the queen, absolutely delighted, and very sad by the news that came through, that on the lunchtime of that anniversary, the family had been summoned. the memories that we have of the queen, we only saw her once, on her silverjubilee touring west bromwich, but i was at the accession, proclamation in victoria square in birmingham in february 1952. so we both have fond memories of her full reign. and we think we were saddened and shocked, like so many millions, because she'd only been on camera with a new prime minister two days before.

we're joined by patricia and james's granddaughter beth moore. thank you very much indeed for recording that for us. it sounds like this card meant a lot to your grandparents. like this card meant a lot to your grandoarents— like this card meant a lot to your grandparents. hello, thank you for havin: grandparents. hello, thank you for having me- — grandparents. hello, thank you for having me. yes, _ grandparents. hello, thank you for having me. yes, it _ grandparents. hello, thank you for having me. yes, it really _ grandparents. hello, thank you for having me. yes, it really did. - grandparents. hello, thank you for having me. yes, it really did. it. having me. yes, it really did. it arrived the day before their wedding anniversary, their wedding anniversary, their wedding anniversary being the 8th of september, which is of course the day that the queen unfortunately passed away. they were so proud to have received the card, as said in the message, they have long memories of her reign. she has been a constant in their lives, like so many of us, since they were small children, and to have received that card and have that honour bestowed upon them, they were just so thrilled to have that. $5 upon them, they were 'ust so thrilled to have that. as you're talkin: ,

thrilled to have that. as you're talking. we — thrilled to have that. as you're talking, we can _ thrilled to have that. as you're talking, we can see _ thrilled to have that. as you're talking, we can see your - thrilled to have that. as you're - talking, we can see your grandmother holding it proudly. i imagine it is on the mantelpiece at this point. it is, and it has gone everywhere, we have wedding anniversary celebrations over the weekend, and it was a really proud moment for them, but of course saddened by such immediate news that she was unwell, and then passed away. we appreciate you joining us, beth. congratulations to your grandparents on their wedding anniversary, thank you for sharing the story. thank you to beth and her grandparents. please do send us more of your memories, stories and tributes to the queen. you can send artwork too — like stephanie galloway. stephanie is a digital artist and creates pictures on her ipad. she says she made this image of a corgi because she loves the queen — and king charles — and felt sad for his loss. she says the picture has had a great response online. the email address for your tributes is yourqueen@bbc.co.uk. we'll try to show

you as many as we can. as we approach the end of this hour of programming on bbc news, let me show you what's happening in westminster hall as i'm talking to you. the queen is lying in state. this is the first of four full days where people who have queued for many hours have the opportunity to pass the queen's coffin and pay their respects, and this is going to continue through the night, notjust into the night but through the night and into friday, and into saturday and into friday, and into saturday and into friday, and into saturday and into sunday, and this opportunity for anyone who wants to come to westminster hall and pay

their respects will continue until 6:30am on monday. i will be back with you in a couple of minutes. we just about managed 20 celsius today when the sun came out, but for most it felt fresher, and the reason for that change is the change of wind direction. we are now into this brisk north or north westerly airflow which is ushering in arctic air, so the first chilly snap of the autumn for many. that breeze has brought plenty of showers, and they will continue to push southwards through this evening and overnight, and that breeze continues to strengthen as well, particularly for the north and east, but inland, we will see temperatures falling lower than last night quite widely with a touch of grass frost in scotland. it will feel cool in the mornings if you are heading to london the next couple of days.

temperatures into single figures overnight and high teens by day, just the outside chance of a shower both friday and indeed again on monday. but you can see why there is the increased chance of a shower, they are being pushed southwards on this wind which peaks through the day tomorrow, gusts of 45 mph pushing the showers primarily to scotland and across eastern parts of england, but one or two will continue further west, although possibly fewer than today with a little more sunshine, and the wind starts to ease later, so it still feels pleasantly warm if you are in the sunshine out of the wind but that is a feature of the weather. it starts to ebb away over the weekend when the high pressure moves in. we have a weather front drifting southwards, but it will introduce more cloud than anything else. but ahead of that it looks like friday night to saturday morning will be the coldest, perhaps as low as one or two in rural parts of southern england,

so it could get very close to freezing, and if you are out it is going to be cool. a little more fog around on saturday morning, rain to come on a weather front for northern scotland, but elsewhere we will keep some sunshine. by sunday that weather front is likely to introduce a little more cloud as it meanders southwards, still a little breeze for the north sea coast but temperatures recovering a little bit across scotland and northern ireland, still the mid to high teens and warm in the sunshine. the outside chance of a shower for eastern england on monday. there'll be plenty more dry and bright weather around for the rest of the day.

this is bbc news, i'm ros atkins. prince william has been meeting well—wishers at sandringham telling them how walking behind his grandmother's often brought back memories of his own mother's death. i am at westminster where the queen currently lays then rest as members of the public pay respects. details of the public pay respects. details of her funeral have been released, which takes place on monday. and then london, people have been warned they will have to queue for eight hours to see the queen lying in the state. �* ,., , ., hours to see the queen lying in the state. �* , ., ., ., state. also this hour, one of the all-time tennis _

state. also this hour, one of the all-time tennis greats _ state. also this hour, one of the all-time tennis greats roger- state. also this hour, one of the - all-time tennis greats roger federer all—time tennis greats roger federer has announced his retirement. and president putin has admitted that china has concerns about the war in ukraine as he meets president xi jinping for the first time since the invasion of ukraine. for all of you watching on pbs and around the globe, a warm welcome. welcome to the programme. tens of thousands of people are waiting for their turn to pay their respects to queen elizabeth ii at westminster hall where she is lying in state. these are live pictures from westminster where the queue is currently stretching over some 5 km. some people waited for more than eight hours to get here — inside westminster hall, where the closed coffin is being guarded by soldiers from units that serve the royal household.

that process will continue, 2a hours a day, until monday morning at 6.30am. for all the very latest we can now join shaun ley in westminster. thank you very much. welcome wherever you are, watching others from around the world. we are in the heart of london at westminster, one of the three original cities that made up what became london back in medieval times but only one part of that medieval building remained standing, and that is westminster hall, which has stood since 1097 when it was erected as a symbol love the wealth and prestige of king william the second. many kings and queens later, the last queen, the longest serving monarch ever in this country is lying in state at the far end of the building behind me and you can see people behind me walking

steadily, as they have for hours on end, in order to pay their last respects. a mournful time, it has been a very cheerful 2a hours since the queen's body was brought here, a process observed for every monarch since king edward vii, the first to have laid in state in westminster, possibly inspired by the victorian prime minister william gladstone who lay here in the 1890s. but what about the events that lie ahead after the lying in state? this will last until 6:30am and thereafter as royal officials confirmed today there are detailed plans in place for monday's state funeral of queen elizabeth ii. the service will be held at westminster abbey in london before the late queen's body is

taken to be buried at windsor castle to the west of london, a castle in the royal borough of windsor which the royal borough of windsor which the queen knew well and which she and herfamily have the queen knew well and which she and her family have spent many times that over recent years. after the ceremony in london and after the long journey at which many people are expected to line the streets, into the county of berkshire and royal windsor itself, the queen will be laid to rest following a private service in st george's chapel in windsor at 7:30pm on monday which will bring to a close the formal proceedings for the queen's burial. king charles and his siblings, his sister the princess royal and his brothers the duke of york, prince andrew, and the duke of wessex prince edward, will hold a vigil here tomorrow evening when they are take their places around that purple

biere with the catafalque and read which we can see from the images inside westminster. earlier today at sandringham, prince william, who will himself one day be king after charles, told well—wishers how difficult it was to walk behind his grandmother's often yesterday when it was brought back into london saying it reminded him of a time as a small boy when he and his mother walked behind the coffin carrying their mother diana, 25 years ago. our royal correspondent reports. viewing the carpet of flowers and tributes, the prince and princess of wales came to sandringham to say thank you, to the staff, to the community, who supported the queen throughout her reign. it was an emotional return to the norfolk estate, a chance to chat and reflect on events of the past week.

doing the walk yesterday was challenging. brought back a few memories. "challenging, it brought back memories," he said. still keenly felt. william spent many happy christmases at sandringham. it was a sanctuary for the royal family, a place they could retreat to. and every february, the queen came to remember herfather, who died at the norfolk estate 70 years ago. but today, sandringham remembered the queen. i just said my sincere condolences to both her and william, and also to king charles iii and to the royal family, because i'm heartbroken

that our lovely queen is gone. across the generations, they came to see the prince and princess. there were lighter moments as well, with many filming their exchanges with william and catherine on their phones. i love he's got his little guardsman t—shirt on! is there paddington as well? i think paddington might have knocked the corgi off the top spot now. the corgis won't take that very well. we spoke to william and we spoke to kate. they both said about his little outfits, how nice they were. they were just really nice and genuine people. to say thanks for the queen, everything she's done and all the things they're doing for everyone. it'sjust so nice. the prince and princess of wales are key to the future of the royal family. they are the younger face of modern monarchy, but their new roles bring added pressure and scrutiny. today was an official duty, but also a chance to share their sadness with many who viewed the royal family as neighbours.

daniela relph, bbc news, sandringham. what you recognise of course is that these are the public expressions of grief and support for clean elizabeth —— grief and support for clean elizabeth -- queen elizabeth but on monday, 2000 people and all will gather in westminster abbey as part of that funeral service. as well as the family there will be others who have been invited because of some connection with the work they have done for the country and as a sign, really, of what she meant to many organisations and charities, but they will be predominantly foreign dignitaries, president biden, the vice president of china, the prime

ministers of countries who were once part of the british empire and are now part of the commonwealth and countries with no formal connection with this country but to recognise that the queen is the world's longest continuous serving head of state is someone who has either touched them as individuals or they are a nation is, in one way or another. all of those will arrive at westminster abbey, the diplomatic nightmare of arranging those events and positioning people who can be sat next to each other and maybe setting enemies well apart from one another as one of the headaches officials will have to contend with. finally after that last formal event is completed we queen's coffin will be taking on a carriage to windsor where she will be laid to rest in st george's chapel alongside the duke of edinburgh and one image that haunts many as the image of the

queen sitting alone, socially distanced because of covid, in the spring of last year as the funeral arrangements were carried out for her husband the duke of edinburgh who died shortly before. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell has more. it rests on the catafalque, a brightly lit coffin which has become the focus of a nation's sadness. within the ancient walls of westminster hall, so many emotions, so many individual expressions of gratitude and respect. thousands have already filed through. many tens of thousands more are expected over the weekend. and as the nation mourns, preparations are advancing for queen elizabeth's state funeral. on monday, the first procession will be from the palace of westminster to westminster abbey. at 10.35, the queen's coffin will be borne from westminster hall. it will be taken in procession via parliament square and broad sanctuary to the west gate

of westminster abbey. it will arrive there at 10.52. in the darkness of the early morning, all the elements are being meticulously rehearsed... ..the finishing touches to plans drawn up over many years. the procession to the abbey will be led by the massed pipes and drums of all the scottish and irish regiments in the british army. and this is the most visible sign that this is to be a full state funeral, the like of which we haven't seen in britain since winston churchill's in 1965. the state gun carriage will be drawn by 150 royal navy ratings, rather than by horses. inside westminster abbey will be a congregation of 2,000.

among them, heads of state including the us presidentjoe biden, with heads of government and representatives from virtually every country in the world. at approximately 11.55, the last post will sound and there will be a national two—minute silence. then, the procession, from westminster abbey to wellington arch. the state gun carriage will be drawn from the abbey around parliament square, up whitehall and across horse guards and then — via the mall — pass buckingham palace, and finally, up constitution hill to wellington arch at hyde park corner. there, under wellington arch, the coffin will be transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse, ready for the journey to windsor. the route to be taken from hyde park corner to windsor hasn't so far been disclosed. however, officials recognise the need for the public to be as closely involved as possible. the queen, and indeed other members

of the royal family, particularly prince philip when he was alive, took a close interest in this, to try and make sure that it combined the dignity of the occasion, the formality of the occasion, with as much access as possible for people to see the coffin at close quarters. the final element of the funeral plan will see the hearse travelling up the long walk at windsor, then into the castle's main quadrangle and then down the slope to st george's chapel. inside the chapel, at four o'clock, the committal service will begin. at the end of it, the instruments of state — the monarch's crown and the orb and sceptre — will be removed from the coffin. and later, in a private service, the queen's coffin will be laid to rest with that of her late husband. nicholas witchell, bbc news.

well, the queues for westminster hall have been stretching along lambeth bridge and albert embankment. slowly but steadily people are working their way from this corner of the palace of westminster along and passed to where they will enter westminster hall. a steady stream of people and it has been continuous throughout the time i have been here, since lunchtime, and has snaked through during the night but it is a very long process and requires people to have a great deal of patience. those who are unable to cure, there is an alternative route for people with disabilities or who use mobility scooters or have wheelchairs. there is an alternative route for them that cuts out a lot of the queueing and waiting. the bit that does deceive people a little bit, a bit like airport security, as this section which you could call the chicane, because like all those

airport security cues, you can see the immigration officer and you can see the gate just ahead of you but in between these lines that you snaked backwards forwards, never quite getting as far as you think you have and that process we are told is taking about two hours at the moment, just that section, more or less the section you can see on the camera takes you to hours to get from the far end to the bottom left of the screen, and that the far end is where people are coming across the river to westminster and then this is right at the very end of the process. around the corner from where i am, i am in the middle of the short, the tall tower which is the tower you saw earlier this hour, just around the other side is where the queue comes around the building, around the corner of the building and beside these tents which are

airport security style entrances where bags are searched and people pass through a metal detector and thatis pass through a metal detector and that is really the last stage before going inside. and thenjust near the bottom of the shot out of sight is the oldest part of the palace of westminster, westminster hall which was stood for almost 1000 years. west of the building is a 19th—century mock gothic, not fake but certainly not gothic, modelled on the gothic style, designed to emulate what would have been the old palace of westminster before it burned down. now we have the westminster hall which is the oldest part and the rest is victorian or georgian construction. the cues that westminster hall stretch all the way along lambeth bridge on the south side of the river until you get to lambeth bridge itself, and that is

where the archbishop of canterbury has his lambeth palace, the administrative home of the anglican church. at that point they cross the river to the north side, the westminster side. they turn right and they walk slowly up the reverend roughly where the graphics is westminster hall is where the chicane is and they come across behind me on victoria palace gardens where i am standing right now and go through the security arches and through the security arches and through into the palace of westminster, to westminster hall, which is a remarkable place and one of those buildings where your voice instantly drops as you get the echo of stone steps and six foot thick stone walls which provide the almost soundproof environment where people are paying their respects to the

queen. metropolitan police officers and volunteers and stewards are managing the process, toilets and water fountains provided, managing the process, toilets and waterfountains provided, but still a very long wait, and some people joining the queue right now in the middle of the evening will not get to the queen until perhaps 2am tomorrow morning. john maguire has been speaking to some of those showing such patients. from across the united kingdom and around the globe, they came, and they waited, and they queued. all for this — a fleeting but significant moment, a chance to say goodbye, notjust to a monarch, but to a woman who meant so much to so many. catherine had flown in from the united states just to be here today. very emotional. very poignant, very touching. to see everyone going in and paying their respects. you can just feel the love that everyone has for her. 0ther journeys weren't as far but no less important.

she had compassion, empathy, forgiveness and love, and i think that has given more to the world than anything, and if only other leaders could be that way, wouldn't we live in a wonderful place? it was amazing, i wouldn't have missed it. it was worth waiting 11 hours. it really was. i thought to myself i will never see her again so this _ was the opportunity that i wanted to go and pay my respects. - maureen and her daughter emily made the decision to come this morning and entered via the accessible queue. she got you through your life, didn't she? yeah. we are here on behalf of the whole family, past and present. along the two—mile queue that straddles both sides of the river thames, there are volunteers on hand to help. multi—faith teams are here to offer support and solace. this morning the archbishop

of canterburyjoined them, after playing a leading role in recent days. the idea of coming to see people here today? to see how people are, where they've come from. most people are in very good shape. i had a couple of conversations yesterday, where the process had renewed their sense of grief over their own losses. i have heard that a lot. and particularly coming out, chaplains have found that. leading politicians will have been in westminster hall many times, but never before to pay their respects to their monarch. by day and by night, they will continue to come over the next few days, compelled by their own reasons, with their own stories, but with one thing in common — the desire to say thank you and to say goodbye. john maguire, bbc news, westminster. so what's it like for those people who've queued for hours, been through westminster hall, and paid their respects? 0ur correspondent david

cornock is there for us. at the other end of westminster, david. t at the other end of westminster, david. . . at the other end of westminster, david. ., ., . ., ., at the other end of westminster, david. ., ., .., ., ., . david. i am at carriage gate, which is where oeoole — david. i am at carriage gate, which is where people emerge _ david. i am at carriage gate, which is where people emerge from - david. i am at carriage gate, which is where people emerge from the i is where people emerge from the north of the world of westminster hall, and people coming out now have had a very long wait, and a queue for seven and a half or eight hours, waiting for the fleeting moment in the hall, let's speak to two of them now. you have come all the way from nottingham, why did you want to travel from the east midlands today? we just felt compelled to do so. she was a _ we just felt compelled to do so. she was a wonderful lady, and if you have _ was a wonderful lady, and if you have us— was a wonderful lady, and if you have us came down and met some lovely— have us came down and met some lovely people in the queue. i didn't think— lovely people in the queue. i didn't think i_ lovely people in the queue. i didn't think i would be standing for eight hours _ think i would be standing for eight hours but — think i would be standing for eight hours but i — think i would be standing for eight hours but i would do it again if we had to, _ hours but i would do it again if we had to, it — hours but i would do it again if we had to, it was fantastic. you hours but i would do it again if we had to, it was fantastic.— had to, it was fantastic. you met alison in the _ had to, it was fantastic. you met alison in the queue, _ had to, it was fantastic. you met alison in the queue, not - had to, it was fantastic. you met alison in the queue, not quite i had to, it was fantastic. you met alison in the queue, not quite asj alison in the queue, not quite as far, you are from south—west london, but important enough for you to want to spend hours in the queue? t

to spend hours in the queue? i needed to, i needed to pay my resoects— needed to, i needed to pay my resoects to _ needed to, i needed to pay my respects to the _ needed to, i needed to pay my respects to the queen. - needed to, i needed to pay my respects to the queen. she - needed to, i needed to pay myl respects to the queen. she was needed to, i needed to pay my. respects to the queen. she was a great _ respects to the queen. she was a great monarch. _ respects to the queen. she was a great monarch, a _ respects to the queen. she was a great monarch, a great— respects to the queen. she was a great monarch, a great woman, i respects to the queen. she was a . great monarch, a great woman, and respects to the queen. she was a - great monarch, a great woman, and we all love _ great monarch, a great woman, and we all love tarrant — great monarch, a great woman, and we all love tarrant had _ great monarch, a great woman, and we all love tarrant had so _ great monarch, a great woman, and we all love tarrant had so much _ great monarch, a great woman, and we all love tarrant had so much respect. all love tarrant had so much respect for her~ _ all love tarrant had so much respect for her~ i came — all love tarrant had so much respect for her. i came last— all love tarrant had so much respect for her. i came last friday— all love tarrant had so much respect for her. i came last friday to- for her. i came last friday to buckingham _ for her. i came last friday to buckingham palace - for her. i came last friday to buckingham palace to - for her. i came last friday to buckingham palace to lay. for her. i came last friday to- buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just— buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just because _ buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just because of— buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just because of how— buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just because of how i- buckingham palace to lay flowers as well, just because of how i feel. - well, just because of how i feel. and what— well, just because of how i feel. and what was— well, just because of how i feel. and what was it _ well, just because of how i feel. and what was it like _ well, just because of how i feel. and what was it like when - well, just because of how i feel. and what was it like when you . and what was it like when you finally got through enter westminster hall because the atmosphere is very solemn and quiet. amazing, you could hear a pin drop. just so _ amazing, you could hear a pin drop. just so peaceful and everybody was unbelievably respectful, amazing. i have never— unbelievably respectful, amazing. i have never experienced anything like that and _ have never experienced anything like that and probably won't ever again. it is that and probably won't ever again. it is unreal — that and probably won't ever again. it is unreal. was that what it was like for you as well? tt it is unreal. was that what it was like for you as well?— it is unreal. was that what it was like for you as well? it was hard to see as well — like for you as well? it was hard to see as well because _ like for you as well? it was hard to see as well because you _ like for you as well? it was hard to see as well because you want - like for you as well? it was hard to see as well because you want to i like for you as well? it was hard to i see as well because you want to see it but— see as well because you want to see it but you _ see as well because you want to see it but you don't _ see as well because you want to see it but you don't want _ see as well because you want to see it but you don't want to _ see as well because you want to see it but you don't want to believe - see as well because you want to see it but you don't want to believe it. it but you don't want to believe it so much, — it but you don't want to believe it so much, but _ it but you don't want to believe it so much, but it— it but you don't want to believe it so much, but it was— it but you don't want to believe it so much, but it was great. - it but you don't want to believe it so much, but it was great. wouldn't have missed — so much, but it was great. wouldn't

have missed it _ so much, but it was great. wouldn't have missed it for _ so much, but it was great. wouldn't have missed it for the _ so much, but it was great. wouldn't have missed it for the world. - so much, but it was great. wouldn't have missed it for the world. and it| have missed it for the world. and it is a strange sort of atmosphere around here now, people sharing their experiences of what they saw, a very friendly atmosphere, and you two didn't know each other until this morning. two didn't know each other until this morning-— two didn't know each other until this morninu. ., , ., ., this morning. eight of us altogether within the queue _ this morning. eight of us altogether within the queue together— this morning. eight of us altogether within the queue together and - this morning. eight of us altogether within the queue together and we i within the queue together and we have chatted _ within the queue together and we have chatted and _ within the queue together and we have chatted and looked - within the queue together and we have chatted and looked after - within the queue together and we. have chatted and looked after each other's _ have chatted and looked after each other's soaces _ have chatted and looked after each other's spaces during _ have chatted and looked after each other's spaces during the - have chatted and looked after each other's spaces during the day, - other's spaces during the day, oeoole — other's spaces during the day, oeoole needing _ other's spaces during the day, people needing to _ other's spaces during the day, people needing to go- other's spaces during the day, people needing to go to - other's spaces during the day, people needing to go to the i other's spaces during the day, - people needing to go to the bathroom and we _ people needing to go to the bathroom and we have _ people needing to go to the bathroom and we have shared _ people needing to go to the bathroom and we have shared biscuits— people needing to go to the bathroom and we have shared biscuits and - and we have shared biscuits and whatever— and we have shared biscuits and whatever we _ and we have shared biscuits and whatever we have, _ and we have shared biscuits and whatever we have, it— and we have shared biscuits and whatever we have, it has- and we have shared biscuits and whatever we have, it has been. and we have shared biscuits and - whatever we have, it has been great. a very _ whatever we have, it has been great. a very british — whatever we have, it has been great. a very british day— whatever we have, it has been great. a very british day out. _ whatever we have, it has been great. a very british day out.— a very british day out. exactly, but it is something _ a very british day out. exactly, but it is something you _ a very british day out. exactly, but it is something you will— a very british day out. exactly, but it is something you will never- a very british day out. exactly, but it is something you will never see i it is something you will never see again _ it is something you will never see again all— it is something you will never see again. all walks of life around, everybody paying respect to stop the atmosphere is great and people want to oay_ atmosphere is great and people want to pay their respects.— to pay their respects. thank you both very much _ to pay their respects. thank you both very much indeed - to pay their respects. thank you both very much indeed and - to pay their respects. thank you both very much indeed and a i to pay their respects. thank you i both very much indeed and a very lively crowd coming out now, and of course they will be coming until monday morning at 6:30pm. thea;r

course they will be coming until monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure — monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure they _ monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure they will _ monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure they will be _ monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure they will be going - monday morning at 6:30pm. they will and i am sure they will be going all. and i am sure they will be going all through the day and all through the night throughout this weekend, it weekend sandwiched between remarkable events erect westminster. stay with us on bbc news where we'll be bringing you all the latest on the her majesty's lying—in—state, and the plans for the state funeral on monday. that extraordinary event, you could say it once in a century event, where a monarch who has been on the throne of england for seven decades, more than any other monarch in the history of this country, is finally laid to rest, and what was the empire and became the commonwealth and has become a family of nations, to pay respect to queen elizabeth who began her life as the queen of a global empire and ended it as the queen of one democratic country in

the heart of europe. a country really of ageless times is paying its respects, many not born in this country, many who have travelled across the world over these last 48 hours to have the opportunity to say goodbye and to say thank you. a series of personal moments rather than state moments or moments about countries and nations or even about the royal family, just about individuals saying, thank you for your kindness and your service. for now, it's back to the studio. do remember, you can get ongoing coverage of queen elizabeth lying in state at westminster hall through the bbc's life page and at the top of the page at the moment is barbara plett usher giving her thoughts on canada's relationship with the royal

family, and looking at these pictures live from westminster hall, to those of you watching in the united states, we will say thank you very much indeed for watching and goodbye. for those of you watching in the uk on the bbc news channel and on bbc world news today elsewhere, let's turn to some of the other stories of the day. roger federer has announced his retirement from the game at the end of this month — he's a1. the swiss tennis player has won 20 grand slam titles and is regarded by many as one of the all time greats of international tennis. but he's struggled with a knee problem for the past three years and has not played a match since last year's wimbledon. in a statement to fans he said �*my body's message to me lately has been clear — i have played more than 1,500 matches over 2a years. now i must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career." world number three rafael nadal has paid tribute to one of his greatest rivals on the court.

in a post on instagram he said, "dear roger, my friend and rival. i wish this day would have never come. it's a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world." and the current world number1 and new us open champion carlos alcaraz said on twitter: roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! thank you for everything you have done for our sport! a little bit earlier i spoke to the world number ten, a little bit earlier i spoke to the world numberten, hurkacz, the a little bit earlier i spoke to the world number ten, hurkacz, the last person to beat roger federer at a grand slam last year and i asked what made roger federer such a great player. roger has been an inspiration for me, as i was eight years old. i was watching him play, competing at the highest level, and then having a chance to see him and to practise with him and to play with him. it was a very special thing for me, but he inspired so many people, and did some amazing stuff on a tennis court and outside of it,

so he is a true legend. and the first time you played him, what was it like to be across the net from someone you had worshipped from afar? yeah, as a kid, you dream to play those amazing players. they are great players. then having a chance to play against roger, the first time it happened, you know, you are a little bit stressed and you're just trying your best. but he is an amazing athlete and, you know, the decisions he was able to make in the crucial moments, they were something special, and not many people could have done that. and then you yourself played a very special game in the quarterfinals of wimbledon, his last game on the world stage, where you beat him in straight sets. what are your memories of that day? that was, to play roger and then

to have a chance to play him in front of an amazing fan at wimbledon, for a full crowd, just the people cheering, watching him play, watching me play as well, and the supporters, it shows how much he has done to the sport, to tennis and also outside of the sport how many people he brought in and were able to cheerfor him and be inspired by him. china and russia have held their first summit—level talks since moscow's attack on ukraine. the summit took place in uzbekistan. president putin thanked xi jinping for what he called china's balanced position on the war. but mr putin acknowledged that beijing also has concerns

about russia's invasion of ukraine. the bbc's russia editor is steve rosenberg and has been describing these concerns to us. tt rosenberg and has been describing these concerns to us.— these concerns to us. it was really interesting — these concerns to us. it was really interesting to _ these concerns to us. it was really interesting to hear— these concerns to us. it was really interesting to hear that _ these concerns to us. it was really interesting to hear that from - interesting to hear that from vladimir putin, it was quite unexpected also because publicly beijing has not spoken of its concerns over what russia calls the special military operation in ukraine and here was the kremlin leader at this meeting with president xi, revealing to the world that beijing has these concerns. what we don't know is what happened after that when the journalists left the hall, in the close part of the meeting. we don't know whether president xi laid out in more detail what the concerns are, and we don't know whether those concerns will make the kremlin pause for thought about what it is doing in ukraine.

and we have talked with you a lot