king charles and the prince of wales greet mourners queuing for hours to see the queen's lying in state. they thanked those waiting through the night to get into westminster hall, before the state funeral on monday. you look well dressed for it, good trainers? yes. it means an awful lot that you're

here, it really does. the accessible queue has now closed, and there's a warning the general queue will shut well before the funeral service. the line currently stretches back five miles. next week, the queen's coffin will be transferred to westminster abbey for herfuneral, led by the dean of westminster. right at the heart of this is a family funeral, we mustn't forget that. deeply personal and a very, very difficult thing for a family to navigate. but this is also a celebration of a quite extraordinary life. this evening, the queen's eight grandchildren, including princes william and harry, will hold a vigil by their grandmother's coffin. also on the programme... ukraine says more western weaponry is needed to beat the russians, as bodies are recovered from a mass burial site, newly liberated in north eastern ukraine. hundreds protest outside new scotland yard over the shooting

dead of 24—year—old chris kaba. and football pays tribute to the queen in the first full weekend of fixtures since her death. good afternoon. the king and the prince of wales have been meeting members of the public queueing in london, to see the queen's lying in state. they thanked those waiting through the night to get into westminster hall, before the state funeral on monday. others hoping to pay their respects have been warned the general queue could be closed again today, if there are too many people. the waiting time is currently around 11 hours, with long lines stretching five miles along the river thames to southwark park. this evening, in westminster hall, the queen's eight grandchildren, including princes william and harry, will hold a vigil by the coffin. with more on the day's events,

here's our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. cheering neither of them is a newcomer to this, yet for both of them, charles and william, there is a special intensity just at the moment. partly because of the emotions which are so in evidence. but also because of their new roles. here is the man who is now king. and the man who is now next in line to the throne. both charles and william have a natural warmth. appreciated today by people who had queued through a cold night to reach the lying in state. three cheers for no one needed to be won over, but watch

thank you for the marmalade. both the king and his son wanted to know how people were coping with the long wait. clearly you've read the manual. i m _ just before the walkabout, the king had visited one of the main control rooms where the metropolitan police is coordinating the immense operation being mounted by all the emergency services, possibly the biggest such operation london has ever seen. a meeting with representatives of the other countries australia, canada, new zealand,

and countries in the caribbean. some are already reviewing their links with the british crown. decisions on that are for the future. their priority now is to pay their tributes to their queen. canada's prime ministerjustin trudeau visited the lying in state. another visitor was australia's anthony albanese who is known to favour australia becoming a republic. but a time of mourning is no time for politics. westminster hall continues to be a place where citizens of the british nation and others pay their respects. very soon, the queen's grandsons and granddaughters, led by the prince of wales, will take their turn to stand in vigil around the queen's coffin. nickjoins me now. you mentioned a lingering of the

king with some of those he greeted, are we seeing a different style compared to the queen? fine are we seeing a different style compared to the queen? one thing the hate compared to the queen? one thing they hate is — compared to the queen? one thing they hate is those _ compared to the queen? one thing they hate is those mobile _ compared to the queen? one thing they hate is those mobile phones i they hate is those mobile phones being thrust in their face. but yes, each monarch brings something of their own personality to the role and the queen had her own personal style which was a product of her personality and of the generation of which she was part and it was usually successful, respected around the world. charles is a rather more demonstrative and outgoing personality, and it has always been his style but it is now the style of the man who literally and metaphorically wears the crown. we should not confuse style with substance. charles does have a different style but the substance and the performance of the role of the monarchy will remain the same. charles has made it very clear in several of his speeches that he will follow the example set by his mother. so some change in style but not in terms of the fundamentals.

nicholas witchell, thanks for joining us. in the last hour, the accessible queue has now formally been closed after reaching capacity, ahead of the queen's funeral. the lying—in—state is open until early monday morning but officials are warning the general queue will have to close well before then. chi chi izundu has been chatting to some of those already in the queue to pay their respects. the pomp and the ceremony, and a personal royal thank you for the hours stood in the cold. you look well dressed.. good trainers, warm jacket. yes! it means an awful lot that you are here. you could see the pain he was suffering. - and he just basically said, "bless you, thank you." . overnight, one after the other, thousands continued to queue. anyone else got a blanket? thank you very much.

a cold night, a long walk, and free blankets. creative measures being used to relieve the boredom. we have been queueing for 13 hours. how has it been? very dull. laughter it has been quite hard, hasn't it? yeah. chilly at times. wristband, please. also out in the cold, standing for hours, army, police, volunteers, scouts. something which touched naval scout oliver. how proud are you of your colleagues that have volunteered? very, very proud. very, very, very proud. it's just amazing. they come out, bring all the spirits for people because obviously it is a long night. 12 o'clock, i started last night, so a very good night. tiring, but it has been fine. there has been good banter and the queue has been moving. tired. — my feet are absolutely tired. after a ll after all the waiting, at the moment to pay their respects...

she was our queen for 70 years. the most amazing woman who did everything until her dying days. i loved her crown. i thought all the diamonds and stuff on it was amazing. emotional, really emotional. i won't forget that. i'm really glad we persevered, as well. it was chilly in the night and it would have been easy to give up but i'm so glad now that we didn't. i'm really proud of you. do you feel like you did your duty to say goodbye to the queen? i hope so, yes. what's the plan now? a big cup of tea, piece of cake and home. and bed! yes! - so whilst it's goodnight to sam and florence, for thousands more the wait continues. chi chi izundu, bbc news.

our correspondentjonathan blake is at the end of the queue in southwark in south east london. jonathan, are people stilljoining the line? they certainly are. it has been a beautiful sunny day in south—east london and all day there has been a steady stream of people joining the queuein steady stream of people joining the queue in southwark park to begin what will be a very memorable experience no doubt, but also a very tiring one as well. that long waiting time not putting people off in the slightest. we can have a quick word with a couple of people who have joined the queue at about half an hour ago. how are you feeling? half an hour ago. how are you feelin: ? , . half an hour ago. how are you feelin ? , ., ., ., “ half an hour ago. how are you feelin: ? , ., ., ., half an hour ago. how are you feelina? , ., ., ., ., feeling? great. looking forward to makin: feeling? great. looking forward to making this _ feeling? great. looking forward to making this pilgrimage. _ feeling? great. looking forward to making this pilgrimage. are - feeling? great. looking forward to making this pilgrimage. are you i making this pilgrimage. are you well-prepared? _ making this pilgrimage. are you well-prepared? yes, _ making this pilgrimage. are you well-prepared? yes, we - making this pilgrimage. are you well-prepared? yes, we are, i making this pilgrimage. are you | well-prepared? yes, we are, we making this pilgrimage. are you - well-prepared? yes, we are, we have ”flots oftthings with us. 525 h us. what brought lots of things with us. what ou think it brought lots of things with us. what you think it would _ brought lots of things with us. what you think it would be _ brought lots of things with us. you think it would be like to file past the coffin? i you think it would be like to file past the coffin?— you think it would be like to file past the coffin? i think it will be treat, past the coffin? i think it will be great, overwhelming. _ past the coffin? i think it will be

great, overwhelming. you - past the coffin? i think it will be | great, overwhelming. you know, past the coffin? i think it will be i great, overwhelming. you know, it past the coffin? i think it will be - great, overwhelming. you know, it is such a _ great, overwhelming. you know, it is such a huge _ great, overwhelming. you know, it is such a huge moment. the queen has been a _ such a huge moment. the queen has been a momentous figure in the lives of every— been a momentous figure in the lives of every single one of us. i think this is_ of every single one of us. i think this is the — of every single one of us. i think this is the least we can do to pay our last— this is the least we can do to pay our last respects.— this is the least we can do to pay our last respects. thank you very much for stopping. _ our last respects. thank you very much for stopping. just - our last respects. thank you very much for stopping. just two - our last respects. thank you very much for stopping. just two of i our last respects. thank you veryl much for stopping. just two of the many thousands of people who are joining the queue at the end of this third full day of lying in state of the queen. it seems the queue has become part of the experience for people but of course that opportunity to file past the coffin in westminster hall is the draw for so many people but for those joining the queue and filing past us here in southwark park this evening it will be well into the early hours of the morning before they reach westminster hall. , ., ., ., �* ., ~ westminster hall. jonathan blake, in south-east london, _ westminster hall. jonathan blake, in south-east london, thanks _ westminster hall. jonathan blake, in south-east london, thanks for - south—east london, thanks for joining us. and if you can't get to london but you want to pay your respects,

the bbc is offering a continuous, 24—hour view of the queen's lying—in—state. the service is available on the bbc homepage, the bbc news website and app, the iplayer, on bbc parliament, and the red button. the queen's lying—in—state will end at 6.30am on monday morning. then, at 10.44, her coffin will be moved from westminster hall a short distance away to westminster abbey, where her state funeral service will be held. the royal navy's state gun carriage, seen here rehearsing, will bear the coffin, drawn by 142 sailors. senior members of the royal family, including the new king and his sons, prince william and prince harry, will walkjust behind in the procession. at 11:00am the queen's funeral, expected to be attended by 2,000 guests, will then begin,

with the service lead by the very reverend dr david hoyle. he's been speaking to my colleague, reeta chakrabarti. leading the queen's state funeral on monday is a momentous task for dr david hoyle. he says he seeks to balance formal mourning and private grief. right at the heart of this is a family funeral, we mustn't forget that. deeply personal and a very, very difficult thing for a family to navigate. but this is also a celebration of a quite extraordinary life. this is an opportunity for us all to mourn, all to remember. and this is also a place for a bit of hope. that's the job of the church. and what about the queen's own personal links with the abbey? they were profound. i point out from time to time that this is the place where she took the promises that defined her life. so this is the place where she married in 1947. and she made those promises that sustained that

extraordinary public marriage that they then lived out. and this is the place where she took her coronation oaths. so, the abbey shaped her life. i met her a number of occasions occasionally, she talked about the abbey with great affection, and she talked about what had happened here. what about your own personal feelings about leading the funeral ceremony, are you nervous? if i sit still for too long and start thinking about the significance of the moment and the eyes that are on you, then, yes, honestly, of course i am. there's a huge sense of privilege. i mean, what an extraordinary place to be at a moment like this. there's a bit of a sense of responsibility. i also have around me a quite wonderful group of people. so this place steps up on these occasions, it will be fine.

and at the end of it all, what would you like people to be able to take away from it? i think we need to recollect this is a state funeral. so this really is something that is intended to be seen. it's very visual, it's also intended to be heard. i think one of the things we are trying to do is to take all that emotion, all that interest, all that care that we can see in the queue for the lying in state, that we can see in the parks where people are laying flowers and feel that we have managed in the abbey to provide a focus for that. we've put it into words, we've given the grief somewhere to go. dr hoyle, thank you very much. my pleasure, thank you. the very reverend dr david hoyle, speaking to my colleague, reeta chakra barti. well, some people across the uk

are prepearing to travel down to london for the queen's funeral on monday. our correspondent luxmy gopal has been speaking to some of those who are making plans for their journey. so what preparations are you making? preparing for a pilgrimage by getting kitted out for camping. i've got a couple ofjumpers, i've got a nice blanket as well. alex bray is leaving his bedroom in holmfirth in west yorkshire to head to the streets of london with a tent to pay his respects to the queen. hi, jonny, you all right? he and his brotherjonathan will set off at 5:00am and stay until after the state funeral on monday. after so long, it's just nice to say kind of a proper goodbye in and be part of the atmosphere as well. it's going to be sad, but i think there's going to be a real sense of unity. hello, mum. fine, thank you. they'll be joining their mother, alison, who's already made the journey down to see the queen lying in state. why was it important for you to all be there as a family? she's brought so many generations together. she's brought my family together. my grandma's got special, special memories, my mum's got special memories,

i've got special memories. and to be there together as a family, just seeing that moment will mean a lot. as many people across the country to come together, ve it brothers, to come together, be it brothers, be it family, be it friends, and again, as a community to be together as one. the queen's power to transcend generations lives on in her death. the richmond family from rugby drove down early to london so their children could lay flowers. willow was quite affected by it. she wass very taken with the queen and her handbags and her dresses. i'm happy and sad and i'm excited to go and see the queen. by car, by coach, by rail, the capital continues to swell with people from around the country making their way to be part of this moment in history, including these lifelong friends from manchester. we're going to see abba and then straight from abba we're going to join the queues and pay our respects to the queen. even those not travelling can be part of shared grieving.

in the aberdeenshire fishing village of gourdon, this pub will be showing monday's proceedings on screen, one of many community screenings of the funeral around the country. it's a large wake, and yeah, we're just inviting locals to come in and take part in this experience, because no one really in the last 70 years has experienced anything like this. so it's going to be something new for all of us. rituals have always been an important part of monarchy and of mourning. for alex, like for so many, the way to process the death of the queen is byjoining others to grieve and to reflect together. luxmy gopal, bbc news. to other news now, and ukrainie's president, volodymyr zelensky, says investigations into possible russian several bodies have already been exhumed from a mass burial site on the edge of the city, which was recently retaken from russian forces. ukrainian officials say more

than 440 people are buried there. izyum is just one of several areas recently liberated by ukrainian forces. however, heavy fighting is continuing in the areas circled here. our correspondent, james waterhouse has the latest from the capital, kyiv. ukraine is as determined to document as it is to fight. in izyum liberation has turned more bitter than sweet. hundreds of bodies, now a dossier of evidence over claims of russian war crimes. all uncovered after a series of ukrainian counter offensives in the north—east. in newly released footage, what russia wants to say is that their plans have not changed. as they look to hit back, the us had this warning if chemical or nuclear weapons were being considered. don't.

it would change the face of war unlike anything since world war ii. what has never altered is the enduring human cost of this war. oleksandr shapoval performed as a ballet dancer for 28 seasons as the kyiv opera house before volunteering to fight for ukraine. this week he was killed in a mortar strike in the east. translation: there is not a single person in the theatre _ who wouldn't love oleksandr. he was a talented artist and an incredibly kind person. he could not not go and defend his family, friends, and all ukrainians. clapping. what this is is a combination of grief and pride, notjust

of oleksandr�*s accomplishments in the opera house, but because of the cause he died for, and that is the point, ukraine has always known why it is fighting and the price it was willing to pay. it is hard to imagine another escalation in a conflict already full of incomprehensible pain. james waterhouse, bbc news, in kyiv. hundreds of people have gathered outside new scotland yard in london, to protest the shooting dead of an unarmed black man earlier this month. many of the demonstrators carried placards bearing pictures of chris kaba, who was 24. his family has accused the metropolitan police of racism, and the police watchdog is carrying out an investigation. our correspondent, celestina olulode, has that story. tender love and support for a family that continue to grieve. a shared trauma for which they are demanding answers.

did the officers know that it was chris in the car or were they simply following a suspect vehicle? the suspended officer must be interviewed under caution without delay, and keep family informed of this. there should be a charging decision within weeks and not months. chris kaba was fatally shot by a metropolitan police officer on the 5th of september. he was unarmed. police say the car he was driving was linked to a previous firearms incident. the vehicle was not registered to mr kaba. his family say he was borrowing the car from a friend. the officer that fired the fatal shot has been suspended. an investigation has been launched by the independent office for police conduct. the met says it supports the investigation. well, the police watchdog says it must explore all the circumstances surrounding mr kaba's death

including how officers came to be aware of the vehicle mr kaba was driving. the investigation is expected to take 6—9 months — a time frame people here say is much too long. celestina olulode, bbc news. the metropolitan police has confirmed that one of the two thanks, clive. now let's return to our coverage of the lying—in—state of the late queen elizabeth ii, and events leading up to the state funeral on monday. within the next hour, the queen's eight grandchildren, including the prince of wales and prince harry, will hold a vigil by the coffin. with more on the day's events, here's our royal correspondent, within the next hour, the queen's eight grandchildren, including the prince of wales and prince harry, will hold a vigil by the coffin.

princess beatrice and princess eugenie have issued a statement. this is what it says. "there have been tears, laughter, silence and chatter, tears and loneliness and a collective loss for you, our beloved queen and our beloved granny. we are so happy you are back with grandpa. goodbye, dear granny, it has been the owner of error lives to have been your granddaughter and we are so very proud of you. we know the king will continue to lead in his example as he has dedicated his life to service. god save the king." that statement from the daughters of the duke of york, this is the public who are still failing through westminster hall. we are told the q is about 13 errors long at the moment. thosejustjoining the is about 13 errors long at the moment. those justjoining the front of the queue will likely be there

early tomorrow morning. also among those attending monday's state funeral will be world leaders have begun arriving in london ahead of the funeral of queen elizabeth the second. president biden and the first lady jill biden are on their way, leaving washington to fly to london. they'll be among around 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries expected to attend monday's service. that queue getting shorter? it is caettin that queue getting shorter? it is getting shorter— that queue getting shorter? it 3 getting shorter but still very cold outside. some people because they are dignitaries, have a relationship with the royal family, joe biden on his way, some have already managed to go inside. i am joined by one of them. secretary—general of the

commonwealth, shejoins me here. thank you forjoining us. you have just been inside to take your respects. what was it like? it is incredibly emotional because there is something sobering to see her majesty's— is something sobering to see her majesty's often right in front of you and — majesty's often right in front of you and come face—to—face with the reality— you and come face—to—face with the reality she — you and come face—to—face with the reality she is — you and come face—to—face with the reality she is gone. she has been our queen— reality she is gone. she has been our queen for more than 70 years. and this _ our queen for more than 70 years. and this head of the commonwealth has been _ and this head of the commonwealth has been so important to all the 56 member_ has been so important to all the 56 member states. 2.5 billion people, 60% of— member states. 2.5 billion people, 60% of them under the age of 30. she has been _ 60% of them under the age of 30. she has been the head of the whole of their lifetime. it was really poignant. my husband came yesterday with my— poignant. my husband came yesterday with my son, he queued up for almost 11 with my son, he queued up for almost ii hours _ with my son, he queued up for almost ii hours and _ with my son, he queued up for almost 11 hours and what he said was he 'ust 11 hours and what he said was he just wanted to pay real homage to

her. just wanted to pay real homage to hen she _ just wanted to pay real homage to her. she served for 70 years and even _ her. she served for 70 years and even though his feet were probably killing _ even though his feet were probably killing him afterwards, paying homage — killing him afterwards, paying homage by doing 11 hours of walking was well_ homage by doing 11 hours of walking was well worth it. you homage by doing 11 hours of walking was well worth it.— was well worth it. you have met the queen before _ was well worth it. you have met the queen before and _ was well worth it. you have met the queen before and king _ was well worth it. you have met the queen before and king charles. - was well worth it. you have met the | queen before and king charles. was there something about seeing the coffin in front of you that brought it home? the transition? i coffin in front of you that brought it home? the transition?- coffin in front of you that brought it home? the transition? i think it was heartbreaking _ it home? the transition? i think it was heartbreaking because - it home? the transition? i think it was heartbreaking because if - it home? the transition? i think it was heartbreaking because if you | it home? the transition? i think it i was heartbreaking because if you had the privilege of seeing her, being with her. — the privilege of seeing her, being with her, knowing that mischievous twinkle _ with her, knowing that mischievous twinkle she had, how devoted she was to the _ twinkle she had, how devoted she was to the people of our commonwealth, then coming face—to—face with the reality— then coming face—to—face with the reality she — then coming face—to—face with the reality she was no more, that was actually— reality she was no more, that was actually pretty tough and i think if you talked to many people, many of us knew _ you talked to many people, many of us knew that we were going to find it a difficult and sad, but i think a few— it a difficult and sad, but i think a few of— it a difficult and sad, but i think a few of us— it a difficult and sad, but i think a few of us realised how profound

that sadness would actually feel. you can — that sadness would actually feel. you can see as people go by and i saw the _ you can see as people go by and i saw the most wonderful thing, a gurkha _ saw the most wonderful thing, a gurkha bending down and given homage to his queen, it was so touching. there _ to his queen, it was so touching. there are — to his queen, it was so touching. there are too many countries and to many people in the commonwealth to suggest they might all have the same opinion of the queen, they have different opinions of the queen, but i wonder whetherfour different opinions of the queen, but i wonder whether four countries of the commonwealth and people of the commonwealth, they also have a sense that this is a moment of transition? veijer, because prince charles as he then was, _ veijer, because prince charles as he then was, was elected as the next head _ then was, was elected as the next head of— then was, was elected as the next head of the commonwealth in 2018. there _ head of the commonwealth in 2018. there was— head of the commonwealth in 2018. there was a discussion as to what would _ there was a discussion as to what would happen when the, her majesty moved _ would happen when the, her majesty moved on _ would happen when the, her majesty moved on. it was their decision that we head _ moved on. it was their decision that we head of— moved on. it was their decision that we head of the commonwealth would then be _ we head of the commonwealth would then be with the next king, charles, but not _ then be with the next king, charles, but not because he was king, but

because — but not because he was king, but because they had in effect selected him for— because they had in effect selected him for the 50 years that he has devoted — him for the 50 years that he has devoted himself to the commonwealth. he has— devoted himself to the commonwealth. he has been to the most of the countries, _ he has been to the most of the countries, he has sympathise with so many— countries, he has sympathise with so many things— countries, he has sympathise with so many things which are of critical importance to small islands, climate change. _ importance to small islands, climate change, energy, so this transition is really— change, energy, so this transition is really sad — change, energy, so this transition is really sad because we are losing a much _ is really sad because we are losing a much loved queen, but what a relief. _ a much loved queen, but what a relief, what a real comfort it is that— relief, what a real comfort it is that the — relief, what a real comfort it is that the next person to play her role has — that the next person to play her role has had such a deep relationship with the commonwealth and is _ relationship with the commonwealth and is so _ relationship with the commonwealth and is so respected by the commonwealth.— and is so respected by the commonwealth. ~ ., , ., commonwealth. will that personal relationship _ commonwealth. will that personal relationship and _ commonwealth. will that personal relationship and his _ commonwealth. will that personal relationship and his previous i relationship and his previous ongoing commitments to issues like climate change help mitigate some of the voices saying it is past time for us to no longer have as our head

of state a white ruler who is thousands of miles away who does not know our country. do you think that will help india into commonwealth countries in a way that perhaps some members were starting to think of something else? the members were starting to think of something else?— members were starting to think of something else? the most important thin to something else? the most important thing to remember— something else? the most important thing to remember is _ something else? the most important thing to remember is that _ something else? the most important thing to remember is that the - something else? the most important thing to remember is that the new i thing to remember is that the new commonwealth which her majesty the queen— commonwealth which her majesty the queen in_ commonwealth which her majesty the queen in 1953 called a totally new conception, bringing together countries and partnerships in races, that new— countries and partnerships in races, that new concept was started when ei l ht that new concept was started when eight countries had actually fought for independence from the crown and chose _ for independence from the crown and chose stilt _ for independence from the crown and chose still to stay in family. this transition, — chose still to stay in family. this transition, this revolution, has been _ transition, this revolution, has been 70 — transition, this revolution, has been 70 years in the making and it's a matter— been 70 years in the making and it's a matter of— been 70 years in the making and it's a matter of democracy for countries to decide _ a matter of democracy for countries to decide who they wish to have as head _ to decide who they wish to have as head of— to decide who they wish to have as head of state, but what has been really _ head of state, but what has been really warming is that all of the

countries — really warming is that all of the countries and we now have 36 republics, _ countries and we now have 36 republics, all of them have chosen to remain — republics, all of them have chosen to remain members of the commonwealth. so they still love him _ commonwealth. so they still love him. . ~ commonwealth. so they still love him. ., ,, , ., commonwealth. so they still love him. ., ~' , ., , commonwealth. so they still love him. ., ,, , . ., commonwealth. so they still love him. ., , . ., ., him. thank you very much for “oining us for your— him. thank you very much for “oining us for your personal i us for your personal recollections and the question of what happens with the future of the commonwealth. king charles iii with the future of the commonwealth. king charles ill be head of that body. just one of the people who has been inside looking at that moment, really feeling it when you see that coffin, you feel it, you know that it is real. ~ , , it is real. absolutely. very interesting _ it is real. absolutely. very interesting hearing - it is real. absolutely. very interesting hearing that i it is real. absolutely. very i interesting hearing that people it is real. absolutely. very - interesting hearing that people who come out of the call. of course there is grief and some sense of mourning there is grief and some sense of mournin: , ., _ ., ,, mourning they did it to say thank ou. as mourning they did it to say thank you- as the _ mourning they did it to say thank you. as the baroness _ mourning they did it to say thank you. as the baroness said, i mourning they did it to say thank you. as the baroness said, her. you. as the baroness said, her husband felt spending 11 hours standing in a queue against a lifetime of serving felt like a

small price. lifetime of serving felt like a small price-— lifetime of serving felt like a small rice. . ~ ,, , . small price. thank you very much indeed. among those attending monday's state funeral will be president emmanuel macron of france, with which queen elizabeth had a strong attachment. it's a country she visited many times and whose language she spoke fluently. france reciprocated, with president macron saying the french were grateful for her majesty's deep affection for their country. she mastered our language, he said, loved our culture, and touched our hearts. hugh schofield reports from paris. in 1948, aged just 22, her majesty fell for paris and paris fell for her. on an official visit representing herfather, the newly married princess elizabeth was the toast of the town. charming her hosts with her grace, beauty and perfect french. je suis particulierement heureuse que ce soit pour venir en france. that post—war visit left the queen with happy memories, not least of the flower market near notre dame cathedral, which she loved, and which now bears her name.

her majesty came back to france many times over her long reign. the last occasion was in 2014, and at the end of that state visit, she expressly asked for a chance to come back again and look around this flower market, which she had first seen as a young woman 66 years before. for the florist who had the task of handing the queen a bouquet on that visit eight years ago, it was a day not to be forgotten. translation: ifell in love with her on the spot. i you could tell straightaway this was a woman of substance. you know, the queen's not showbiz, she is not madonna, but a truly great person. archive: head of the french state, charles de gaulle. i from charles de gaulle in 1960 on, she met all the presidents of the fifth republic, helping smooth over the rows of the moment and keeping the entente cordiale. with francois mitterrand in 1994, she inaugurated the channel tunnel and she returned regularly

for anniversaries of the d—day landings in normandy. in 2008, she welcomed nicolas sarkozy and his wife carla bruni for a state banquet at windsor castle. he found it magnificent that after arriving together in a gilded coach, the queen showed her guests personally to their bedroom. today, he says, the uk must not forget the huge affection felt for her majesty on this side of the channel too. translation: we were so used to having queen elizabeth i in our lives that we could not imagine she would one day leave us. it's no small paradox that this woman, who kept herself out of the media, was in reality so very present in our lives. and notjust in the lives of the british, but in the life of all of europe. at the uk embassy in paris, people have been coming to sign the book of condolences for her majesty. as president macron put it, for the french, she may not have been their queen, she was, more simply,

perhaps, the queen. hugh schofield, bbc news, paris. we nowjoin a special programme. her majasty the queen, the grandchildren's vigil.

good evening and welcome to this special programme, the grandchildren's vigil. what you are about to see tonight is another moment of history. never before have the grandchildren of a monarch taken their places around the sovereign's coffin as it lies in state but tonight prince william and prince harry will stand side by side with their six cousins in honour of the queen. it will be a very moving tribute in westminster hall to the woman prince harry affectionately referred to as the boss. the queue today has been enormous again, people waiting 13, 14 hours so they can buy past the queen's coffin and look at what happened early at ——

they can file past. king charles and prince william surprised people standing in the queue, this was near lambeth bridge, people who had been waiting in the cold all through the night. the king and the prince of wales spoke to many of them, shook hands, and told them how grateful they were that so many people had made such an effort to pay their last respects to the queen. you can see how much they appreciated that. these are the pictures of the queue, i am sure many are wondering if they will be lucky enough to arrive in westminster hall while the queen's when children are mounting their vigil, what a moment that would be

for all those people after so many hours on their feet. the queen's grandchildren have arrived in westminster. they swept in a short time ago, here they are, arriving in convoy. big crowds out on the streets again to catch a glimpse of them as they arrived for this moment of history. there is the convoy going in, that was a few minutes ago but we can go inside westminster hall now and join petroc trelawney. i wonder how many of these people who have just walked through the doors into westminster hall are pinching themselves, not quite ready to believe they are actually here. most have queued for 12 hours or

longer, walking slowly along the river thames and many would have suffered sore feet, shaken themselves at the moment exhaustion set in, shivered as the morning call marked a farewell to some and not what autumn. a change of season and at the same time generational change in the royal family. last night the king and his siblings stood vigil by their mother's coffin and tonight their mother's coffin and tonight the queen's grandchildren take on that responsibility. none of us can know what it must be like to have a grandparent who was monarch and for so long. at the youngest of her grandchildren only knew her after she became an octogenarian. of the biggest change will be for the new prince of wales who had already assumed many of his father's former responsibilities but perhaps the thought of those new duties will be put to one side for a quarter of an hour this evening. those passing the coffin have a chance to reflect on the 70 years of service provided by

the 70 years of service provided by the queen but for the members of her family, eight real cousins, another opportunity to recall a beloved grandmother. this week we have seen the king and queen consort in edinburgh, belfast and cardiff, meeting politicians and civic leaders, attending church services and walking amidst well—wishers but in london it is this building, westminster hall, that has so far been the focal point of the former moment is taking place in this period of mourning. on monday the speakers are both houses made an address of condolence, and went to a solemn sabbath marked the arrival of her late majesty's solemn sabbath marked the arrival of her late majesty'— her late ma'esty's andrew cotter: and of there will vigil last night echoed the night in 1936 when edward viii and his siblings stood in honour of their father, and his siblings stood in honour of theirfather, george v. this is the

first time a monarch's grandchildren have ever mounted a vigil. we expect the prince of wales to stand at the head of the coffin, he and the duke of sussex will both be in military uniform and standing alongside zara tindall and peter phillips, the princess royal park children, princess royal park children, princess beatrice and princess unity, lady louise windsor and viscount severn. in about eight or nine minutes, on a tap of the duty officer's stick, the grandchildren will come down the steps at the north end of westminster hall and walk slowly into the centre of the room where these officers of the welsh guards are just about to take up welsh guards are just about to take up their positions, the new watch, with the yeomen of the guard waiting for them —— princess beatrice and princess eugenie. on another signal, the royal party will collectively

lower their heads and mount a vigil around the coffin of their grandmother, the queen. what a moment that _ grandmother, the queen. what a moment that will _ grandmother, the queen. what a moment that will be _ grandmother, the queen. what a moment that will be and - grandmother, the queen. what a moment that will be and i'm i grandmother, the queen. what a moment that will be and i'm joint grandmother, the queen. what a i moment that will be and i'm joint by the sunday times royal editor roya nikkhah and paddy harbison who was former communications secretary to the then prince charles and vince's william and harry for nearly ten years until 2013 —— prince william and prince harry. it will be extraordinary.— and prince harry. it will be extraordinary. it's an amazing moment. _ extraordinary. it's an amazing moment, we've _ extraordinary. it's an amazing moment, we've never- extraordinary. it's an amazing moment, we've never seen i extraordinary. it's an amazing i moment, we've never seen this before... dog and it speaks to the importance of family to the queen. there will be something exceptionally poignant to see the eight grandchildren standing by her side for the first time an incredible sight.- side for the first time an incredible sight. side for the first time an incredible siuht. , ., , ., incredible sight. there is a big age . a . l incredible sight. there is a big age aa - , the incredible sight. there is a big age gap. the oldest — incredible sight. there is a big age gap, the oldest is _ incredible sight. there is a big age gap, the oldest is 44 _ incredible sight. there is a big age gap, the oldest is 44 and - incredible sight. there is a big age gap, the oldest is 44 and the i gap, the oldest is 44 and the youngest 14 but they are a close bunch. , . .,, ., ., .,,

bunch. very close and what was interesting _ bunch. very close and what was interesting the _ bunch. very close and what was interesting the mood _ bunch. very close and what was interesting the mood music i bunch. very close and what wasl interesting the mood music from bunch. very close and what was i interesting the mood music from the palace when we asked if this would happen and they said it was up to them so they have been talking about it and felt they want to pay their respects by granny�*s side as their parents did. respects by granny's side as their parents did-— parents did. you have seen it up close, parents did. you have seen it up close. he _ parents did. you have seen it up close, he spent _ parents did. you have seen it up close, he spent many _ parents did. you have seen it up close, he spent many years i parents did. you have seen it up i close, he spent many years alongside the royal family and witnessed that relationship between the grandchildren and their grandmother. yes, i think in any family there is always— yes, i think in any family there is always a — yes, i think in any family there is always a special relationship between grandchildren and grandparents and the same for the royal— grandparents and the same for the royal family that there is another twist, _ royal family that there is another twist, the — royal family that there is another twist, the formal side, so william and harry— twist, the formal side, so william and harry served in the forces, harry— and harry served in the forces, harry obviously in conflict, so they were _ harry obviously in conflict, so they were serving their grandmother and there _ were serving their grandmother and there is— were serving their grandmother and there is also a personal close relationship so there is always the mix of— relationship so there is always the mix of the — relationship so there is always the mix of the personal and constitutional which i find so striking _ constitutional which i find so striking and we have seen it this week— striking and we have seen it this week and — striking and we have seen it this week and we will see it tonight. prince _ week and we will see it tonight. prince harry tonight will be wearing his military uniform. he prince harry tonight will be wearing his military uniform.— his military uniform. he will come at the first —

his military uniform. he will come at the first time _ his military uniform. he will come at the first time he _ his military uniform. he will come at the first time he will— his military uniform. he will come at the first time he will be - his military uniform. he will come at the first time he will be in i at the first time he will be in military uniform since 2020. there has been a lot said and written about whether harry should or should not, would or would not be in uniform but the important thing to remember is that he served ten years in the armed forces, he did two tours of afghanistan, he is a veteran and his grandmother with his colonel in chief and it's important he is in uniform. you colonel in chief and it's important he is in uniform.— colonel in chief and it's important he is in uniform. you know what that will mean to — he is in uniform. you know what that will mean to him. _ he is in uniform. you know what that will mean to him. so _ he is in uniform. you know what that will mean to him. so much. - he is in uniform. you know what that will mean to him. so much. i- will mean to him. so much. i remember— will mean to him. so much. i remember he _ will mean to him. so much. i remember he did _ will mean to him. so much. i remember he did an - will mean to him. so much. i| remember he did an interview will mean to him. so much. i. remember he did an interview in afghanistan talking about what it meant _ afghanistan talking about what it meant to him to be out them as a soldier— meant to him to be out them as a soldier serving his grandmother and ithink— soldier serving his grandmother and i think we _ soldier serving his grandmother and i think we know there has been ups and downs— i think we know there has been ups and downs recently but this is a really— and downs recently but this is a really special moment for him and i know— really special moment for him and i know his _ really special moment for him and i know his father would have been supporting this decision and his brother— supporting this decision and his brother as well so i'm really pleased _ brother as well so i'm really pleased he will be in uniform. we have a pleased he will be in uniform. have a real pleased he will be in uniform. - have a real insight into what it means to the grandchildren because we have heard already, prince william and prince harry have spoken about their grandmother since she passed away but we have a statement

this evening from princess beatrice and eugenie and they say that they have not been able to put much into words since you left us all, there have been tears and laughter, silences and chatter, hugs and loneliness and a collective loss for you, our beloved queen and beloved granny. they speak about the moment they spent picking heather and raspberries, comfort, joy, you get a sense of the divide, the queen, your queen as a grandmother but also the personalfamily queen as a grandmother but also the personal family connection. that queen as a grandmother but also the personal family connection.— personal family connection. that is what we have _ personal family connection. that is what we have seen _ personal family connection. that is what we have seen in _ personal family connection. that is what we have seen in each - personal family connection. that is what we have seen in each of- personal family connection. that is what we have seen in each of the l what we have seen in each of the tributes that have come every day from the children and grandchildren, you can picture the queen giving them teas and doing marching soldiers with them and picking raspberries, it is the behind the crown image you get particularly from the grandchildren and it speaks to the moving scene we will see this evening. it's an incredibly sweet personal tribute, especially at the end, that they are happy you are

back with grandpa. it’s end, that they are happy you are back with grandpa.— back with grandpa. it's very difficult for _ back with grandpa. it's very difficult for any _ back with grandpa. it's very difficult for any family i back with grandpa. it's very difficult for any family at i back with grandpa. it's very difficult for any family at a l back with grandpa. it's very i difficult for any family at a time like this when you have lost someone so close to you but to do this in the full glare of the world's media these eight grandchildren who will stand around their grandmother's coffin in full view, it's hard to imagine what that must be like. i particularly think of the youngest, viscount _ particularly think of the youngest, viscount severn. i know he will rise to the _ viscount severn. i know he will rise to the occasion, i think it will be less difficult for william and harry they are _ less difficult for william and harry they are much more used to this. but they are much more used to this. but the fact— they are much more used to this. but the fact they — they are much more used to this. but the fact they are altogether that is what is _ the fact they are altogether that is what is so — the fact they are altogether that is what is so wonderful about tonight, that all— what is so wonderful about tonight, that all the grandchildren, they have asked for this and the king gave _ have asked for this and the king gave his — have asked for this and the king gave his blessing so that is what makes _ gave his blessing so that is what makes it— gave his blessing so that is what makes it so special. they want to pay this— makes it so special. they want to pay this tribute to their grandmother and to see them together, i'm trying to imagine what it might _ together, i'm trying to imagine what it might be _ together, i'm trying to imagine what it might be like behind—the—scenes as they— it might be like behind—the—scenes as they are — it might be like behind—the—scenes as they are encouraging each other, particularly — as they are encouraging each other, particularly the youngest. it's just so special — particularly the youngest. it's 'ust so secial. . . �*, , so special. prince ed wood's son is the youngest. _ so special. prince ed wood's son is the youngest, his _ so special. prince ed wood's son is the youngest, his children - so special. prince ed wood's son is the youngest, his children are i so special. prince ed wood's son is the youngest, his children are 18 l the youngest, his children are 18 and 14 —— prince edward. they have

been exposed at to the full glare of publicity. it been exposed at to the full glare of ublici . , ., ., publicity. it will be hard for them but the family — publicity. it will be hard for them but the family will _ publicity. it will be hard for them but the family will rally - publicity. it will be hard for them but the family will rally round, i but the family will rally round, they— but the family will rally round, they will— but the family will rally round, they will look after each other and make _ they will look after each other and make sure — they will look after each other and make sure they are fully prepared and properly briefed the family is good _ and properly briefed the family is good at _ and properly briefed the family is good at planning things and getting ready for— good at planning things and getting ready for state occasions. i am confident— ready for state occasions. i am confident that they will rise to the occasion — confident that they will rise to the occasion. �* . confident that they will rise to the occasion. . ., ., , ., confident that they will rise to the occasion. . ., ., ,., , ., , occasion. and what about the people -aassin occasion. and what about the people passing through _ occasion. and what about the people passing through westminster - occasion. and what about the people passing through westminster hall i occasion. and what about the people passing through westminster hall at | passing through westminster hall at this very moment? they really have waited, i have spoken to people who have been 14 hours in the queue and they are only in there for five minutes but some people will see that moment of history. it’s that moment of history. it's extraordinary, _ that moment of history. it's extraordinary, i— that moment of history. it�*s extraordinary, i was watching last night, the people filing past the vigil and theyjust gazed in complete astonishment to see the king and his siblings and to see the future king with his brother and cousins is going to be equally astonishing for them. we cousins is going to be equally astonishing for them.- cousins is going to be equally astonishing for them. we can go inside westminster _ astonishing for them. we can go inside westminster hall - astonishing for them. we can goj inside westminster hall because astonishing for them. we can go i inside westminster hall because we expect prince william, prince harry

and their cousins to mount their vigil injust a moment and their cousins to mount their vigil in just a moment so let's go back to petroc in westminster hall. the orb and sceptre commissioned for the coronation of charles ii in 1661 sits on top of the covenant with the imperial state crown we made for the coronation of the queen's father in 1937 -- coronation of the queen's father in 1937 —— on top of the coffin. the blue stuart sapphire, the jewel thought to have been smuggled abroad byjames ii when he fled england only returned in the 19th century in the reign of george iv. a few of those filing into westminster hall now may have just picked up the fact that they are going to share their time here with the queen's

grandchildren. none could have had any idea of the unusual nature their moment of respectful pilgrimage would take when theyjoined the queue hours ago. we will see standing vigil the prince of wales, the duke of sussex, princess beatrice and princess eugenie, zara tindall, former bbc sports personality of the year and skilled equestrian, her brother peter phillips who was the queen's first grandchild and lady louise windsor who has just started first grandchild and lady louise windsor who hasjust started her studies at st andrews university where the prince of wales study it and met his wife, and her brother, james, viscount severn, aged just 14, the queen's youngest grandson. the current watch being taken by

officers of the welsh guards, along with his majesty's bodyguard of honourable gentleman a core of arms. earlier today they were joined by members of the royal company of archers, the monarch's bodyguard in scotland, dating back to the 17th century when it was founded as an archery club. any second now, here we go. the stick, the sound ricocheting off the stone of the floor here in westminster hall. injusta injust a moment, we in just a moment, we should see the eight royal cousins, the queen's grandchildren coming to stand vigil

in front of her coffin.