this is bbc news. the headlines: king charles makes a surprise visit to fans waiting on the mall with the prince and princess of wales. the world health organization says covid—19 no longer represents a "global health emergency," a major step towards ending the pandemic. in england, the conservatives suffer significant council losses in local election results. and the wagner mercenary group posts a social—media video of its leader berating russia for not sending the force enough ammunition.

at least eight people have been killed in serbia's second mass shooting this week. the gunman opened fire from a moving vehicle about a0 miles south of belgrade. police have arrested the suspected attacker. the country's president has promised gun control measures that would include removing thousands of guns from people's homes. bethany bell sent this report from the scene, which some may find disturbing. a forensic team combs the ground for clues after a gunman went on a deadly shooting spree. locals say an argument broke out last night. they say the suspect went home, collected a gun and opened fire, killing and wounding people in neighbouring villages. many of the casualties were young, in their teens and early 20s. police launched a huge manhunt, which went on all night. they arrested a man believed

to be around 21 years old early this morning. you can still see blood on the ground outside the small village school in dubona. there are discarded bandages as well. this was one of the sites where the gunman struck. people here are in shock. this man, stephan, says he's very surprised as he wouldn't have believed the suspect was capable of such violence. he said he'd always say hi and talk to people normally. the violence comes two days after a 13—year—old boy shot dead eight fellow pupils and a security guard at his school in belgrade. serbia's president has proposed tough new gun control measures. he said the shootings were an attack against the whole country. bethany bell, bbc news, dubona.

the world health organization has declared that covid—19 is no longer a global health emergency. the announcement, in the last hour, came from the who director general. dr tedros said countries could now transition from emergency mode to managing the threat, which, he warned, remained considerable. naomi grimley is in the newsroom. what has been said here? he naomi grimley is in the newsroom. what has been said here?— naomi grimley is in the newsroom. what has been said here? he was at ains to what has been said here? he was at pains to remind _ what has been said here? he was at pains to remind everyone _ what has been said here? he was at pains to remind everyone just - what has been said here? he was at pains to remind everyone just how l pains to remind everyone just how disruptive covid—19 had been. 20 million deaths estimated worldwide, he said. but at the same time he said this was a moment of celebration as well as reflection, because they are announcing that we are coming out of the emergency phase of it. in other words, it will now be managed much in the way that other infectious diseases are managed, such as tb, across the world. so it will nevertheless be

seen as a very historic milestone, even though he is warning that still, every three minutes someone dies of covid related problems. how do we know — dies of covid related problems. how do we know about how they are making this decision? the do we know about how they are making this decision?— this decision? the thing they have done throughout _ this decision? the thing they have done throughout the _ this decision? the thing they have done throughout the pandemic - this decision? the thing they have done throughout the pandemic is l this decision? the thing they have - done throughout the pandemic is look at the data, and the dramatic thing that's happened, of course, partly because of vaccines but also because of natural immunity built up over time, the dramatic thing that's happened is that deaths have fallen since those early days of january 2020, and it is for that reason, the mortality data, that they are now saying a new phase is appropriate. nevertheless, he did make it clear that if there are new variants, if it does start to cause significant surges in deaths again, then he will not hesitate to put the world back into an emergency phase of the pandemic. 50 into an emergency phase of the

pandemic— into an emergency phase of the andemic. ., , , ., pandemic. so many countries are effectively _ pandemic. so many countries are effectively winding _ pandemic. so many countries are effectively winding down - pandemic. so many countries are effectively winding down anyway. indeed, and i think that's almost certainly why the who has taken this decision, it's because america, for example, is ending its emergency on the 11th of may, later this month. in fact, then you will not be required to have vaccination to enter the usa. here in the uk we have seen the covid app decommissioned. so in a sense dr tedros is sort of channelling that feeling that the emergency is over. naomi, thanks for that. the conservative party in england has suffered significant because losses in local elections and the bbc has projected based on the result today, follow britain voted, that labour would have a nine—point lead over the conservatives, making it the largest lead the labour party have recorded on this particular measure since losing power in 2010.

we go live now to our political correspondent rob watson. what does all this mean? i correspondent rob watson. what does all this mean?— all this mean? i think we have to be all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful— all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful not _ all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful not to _ all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful not to get _ all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful not to get too - all this mean? i think we have to be a bit careful not to get too carried . a bit careful not to get too carried away. these are local elections where voter turnout is so much lower, almost half of what it is in general elections and not all the votes are counted. and the third caveat, a general election is still some way off, it doesn't have to be held untiljanuary 2025. but with all that out of the way, i think what we can clearly see from the votes that have been cast in from the vote share production that's been done, that the conservatives are really, really up against it. and labour and the other opposition parties can feel that they are doing pretty well. i think as far as the labour party is concerned, yes, they have this lead, would they like it to be bigger? absolutely they would, because i think to be sure of being in the sort of territory they experienced for example in 1997,

there would probably want an even bigger lead. if you talk to labour they think, yes, we are doing well, yes, the voters are fed up with the conservatives, but we still need to explain to the british people exactly how things would be better or different under us. {lilia exactly how things would be better or different under us.— exactly how things would be better or different under us. 0k, thank you ve much or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for— or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for that, _ or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for that, we _ or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for that, we will - or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for that, we will speak. or different under us. 0k, thank you very much for that, we will speak to | very much for that, we will speak to you later. let's go back to buckingham palace, christian fraser is there. my my viewpoint from this position changes from hour to hour. we have a trafficjam which is not all that remarkable in the centre of london but this is a very special traffic jam because these are the cars, you can tell by the calibre of them, that they have brought some very special guests to the palace. there is a garden in the next hour, 1000 people we are told will be in the garden to be greeted by the king and queen camilla this afternoon. they are all invited guests to the abbey

so they will be part of the congregation tomorrow inside the abbey. with me is charlotte gallagher and also robin brant who has been talking to people who have been meeting the king and queen. charlotte, who will be at the party this evening? this charlotte, who will be at the party this evening?— this evening? this is really the function for — this evening? this is really the function for the _ this evening? this is really the function for the overseas - this evening? this is really the i function for the overseas leaders. you will— function for the overseas leaders. you will have foreign royalty, the crown. _ you will have foreign royalty, the crown. the — you will have foreign royalty, the crown, the crown prince and crown princess _ crown, the crown prince and crown princess of— crown, the crown prince and crown princess ofjapan, danish and swedish— princess ofjapan, danish and swedish royalty, then government figures, _ swedish royalty, then government figures, the first lady of the united — figures, the first lady of the united states, the first lady of ukraine — united states, the first lady of ukraine. so about a thousand people are going _ ukraine. so about a thousand people are going to— ukraine. so about a thousand people are going to this event tonight. about — are going to this event tonight. about 2000 will go to the coronation tomorrow— about 2000 will go to the coronation tomorrow so it shows you the number of high—profile dignitaries that will he — of high—profile dignitaries that will be attending the coronation. it's will be attending the coronation. it's about— will be attending the coronation. it's about half of the abbey. so obviously— it's about half of the abbey. so obviously security is now... a obviously security is now... springer spaniel is behind you! security will be huger in the past. this is— security will be huger in the past. this is king — security will be huger in the past. this is king charles's last official event _ this is king charles's last official event before the coronation and it's

happening _ event before the coronation and it's happening fairly early in the evening _ happening fairly early in the evening so he gets an early night, he gets— evening so he gets an early night, he gets to — evening so he gets an early night, he gets to prepare himself for the bil he gets to prepare himself for the big day— he gets to prepare himself for the big day tomorrow. it's been a long week_ big day tomorrow. it's been a long week for— big day tomorrow. it's been a long week for charles, he's been doing events— week for charles, he's been doing events every single day while also rehearsing his part in the coronation, there hasn't been a coronation _ coronation, there hasn't been a coronation obviously for more than 70 years. — coronation obviously for more than 70 years. so — coronation obviously for more than 70 years, so he is working through what _ 70 years, so he is working through what he's — 70 years, so he is working through what he's going to be doing tomorrow with various _ what he's going to be doing tomorrow with various other members of the royal— with various other members of the royal family, so probably by tomorrow night he will be very ready tomorrow night he will be very ready to out— tomorrow night he will be very ready to out his _ tomorrow night he will be very ready to put his feet up.— to put his feet up. robin, now president _ to put his feet up. robin, now president biden, _ to put his feet up. robin, now president biden, no _ to put his feet up. robin, now president biden, no xi - to put his feet up. robin, now| president biden, no xi jinping, to put his feet up. robin, now - president biden, no xijinping, and the reason i wanted to talk to you about that is because you spent a lot of your life in shanghai recently. they sent instead vice president han, who is he and why is there such controversy over him being at the abbey tomorrow? fine there such controversy over him being at the abbey tomorrow? one way to answer that — being at the abbey tomorrow? one way to answer that is _ being at the abbey tomorrow? one way to answer that is practical. _ being at the abbey tomorrow? one way to answer that is practical. he - being at the abbey tomorrow? one way to answer that is practical. he is - to answer that is practical. he is the vice president. if you don't get the vice president. if you don't get the top man, you get the second man, and that's why vice president han is here to represent china. there is some consternation about the fact it

is him personally because before he was promoted to this role, he was in charge of what's known in communist party language of the leading group in charge of hong kong and macau, he was the man in charge of that organisation when hong kong was subject to such a severe crackdown in terms of protests that began then 2019 and the draconian national security law, so for some, the man who come here to represent china, but the man as well who is coming to this country being welcomed to this country, being welcomed to the garden party, is someone who has a deeply sinister political past. james cleverly has just tweeted, he might him for half an hour. he says engagement with china means discussing areas of deep disagreement and vital cooperation. today with vice president hang i made plain the uk's views on hong kong and taiwan, we also discuss working together on climate change,

economic ties and people to people links. that is the dichotomy for the british government. there are some things they really want to talk to the chinese about and there are certain things that are a real problem. certain things that are a real roblem. ~ certain things that are a real problem-— certain things that are a real roblem. ~ , ., ., , problem. we spoke to our chinese counterparts _ problem. we spoke to our chinese counterparts about _ problem. we spoke to our chinese counterparts about taiwan - problem. we spoke to our chinese counterparts about taiwan and - problem. we spoke to our chinese i counterparts about taiwan and hong kong, they always make that point in a conversation, that is important. the last point you mention, people to people, probably of most significance with regard to this event because bilateral relations between london and beijing are not in a good place james cleverly recently made it clear he thinks the government of rishi sunak needs to improve relations by engaging with china in a more sophisticated way. what these events are about, they are about protocol and countries are sending their representatives but also about diplomacy and maybe there's a here to re—establish a better diplomatic relationship between beijing and the uk. the scenic administration believes that having a good relationship with

china, whether that is trying to achieve progress on climate change but also in terms of trade are making misrepresentations about what the british comic doesn't like about what china is doing, you have to have good relationship and maybe have good relationship and maybe have to start rebuilding at events like this. �* , ., have to start rebuilding at events like this. �*, ., _, ., , ., like this. here's a controversial ruest, like this. here's a controversial guest. strange _ like this. here's a controversial guest, strange to _ like this. here's a controversial guest, strange to say, - like this. here's a controversial guest, strange to say, but - like this. here's a controversial. guest, strange to say, but another controversial test is the duke of sussex who is flying in today. no sign of him yet but they were supporting today he's not going to stay for very long. he will be here without his wife of course, the duchess of sussex, and flying out within 2a hours. it is duchess of sussex, and flying out within 24 hours.— duchess of sussex, and flying out within 24 hours. it is quite sad who would have — within 24 hours. it is quite sad who would have thought _ within 24 hours. it is quite sad who would have thought ten _ within 24 hours. it is quite sad who would have thought ten years - within 24 hours. it is quite sad who would have thought ten years ago | within 24 hours. it is quite sad who l would have thought ten years ago we would _ would have thought ten years ago we would he _ would have thought ten years ago we would he in _ would have thought ten years ago we would be in this situation where prince _ would be in this situation where prince harry would face such a limited — prince harry would face such a limited role in the coronation was mike _ limited role in the coronation was mike hut— limited role in the coronation was mike but he has a very different life now. — mike but he has a very different life now, he lives in california and he has _ life now, he lives in california and he has made his feelings quite clear about— he has made his feelings quite clear about growing up in the royal family and how— about growing up in the royal family and how unhappy he was with the media _ and how unhappy he was with the media in— and how unhappy he was with the media in britain, how unhappy week he was _ media in britain, how unhappy week he was allows public events he didn't— he was allows public events he didn't enjoy, so it's really limited

role for— didn't enjoy, so it's really limited role for him in the coronation. he may— role for him in the coronation. he may not— role for him in the coronation. he may not even stepped out onto the balcony _ may not even stepped out onto the balcony the rest of the family, we don't _ balcony the rest of the family, we don't know. obviously his wife the duchess _ don't know. obviously his wife the duchess of — don't know. obviously his wife the duchess of sussex has decided not to come _ duchess of sussex has decided not to come and _ duchess of sussex has decided not to come and neither have his two children — come and neither have his two children. so it's very strange really— children. so it's very strange really when you think about how they were the _ really when you think about how they were the fab four, or the fab three, now it _ were the fab four, or the fab three, now it is _ were the fab four, or the fab three, now it is very— were the fab four, or the fab three, now it is very divided, very broken with the _ now it is very divided, very broken with the publication of his book, then— with the publication of his book, then the — with the publication of his book, then the netflix documentary, there has been _ then the netflix documentary, there has been so much that has gone on in the last— has been so much that has gone on in the last year. — has been so much that has gone on in the last year, every week harry seems — the last year, every week harry seems to— the last year, every week harry seems to be in the news for one reason _ seems to be in the news for one reason or— seems to be in the news for one reason or another. it's very strange and probably for charles is well knowing — and probably for charles is well knowing that one of his sons will only he — knowing that one of his sons will only be there for a few hours and a few years — only be there for a few hours and a few years ago he would have played such a _ few years ago he would have played such a large role in the coronation. my ears _ such a large role in the coronation. my ears are — such a large role in the coronation. my ears are burning, partly similar across the road has called to say stop calling it a garden party, it is a reception and its indoors. so i'm clearly not going to get an invite! definitely not a garden party, definitely a reception and

indoors, which is a good idea because the weather has been really in and out today, we've had torrential downpours, we've had thunderstorms, and there's a sense of foreboding a little about tomorrow, because out there on the mall are all right but tomorrow we might have really low cloud, and that's good to be a real problem if we have a fly—past. you that's good to be a real problem if we have a fly-past.— we have a fly-past. you can guarantee _ we have a fly-past. you can guarantee there _ we have a fly-past. you can guarantee there will - we have a fly-past. you can guarantee there will be - we have a fly-past. you can i guarantee there will be people gathering relevant metaphors on the weather of the day and what it means for the future of the monarchy. people have been staying in their tents, those will have to be shifted and there will be pushed towards the barriers. it's interesting, have people with very varied views, yes, the protesters, ask about the cost of living crisis, people are engaging in those exchanges. i was there briefly but it is interesting, people want to engage, there isn't just a sense of, we are here, we are royalists and this is the only place for people like us. the

royalists and this is the only place for people like us.— royalists and this is the only place for people like us. the weather can be a aood for people like us. the weather can be a good place — for people like us. the weather can be a good place to _ for people like us. the weather can be a good place to talk— for people like us. the weather can be a good place to talk about - be a good place to talk about things, and icebreaker. charlotte and robin, thank you very much indeed. you are looking at the gates of the palace, and look at this long line of cars that is now queueing up, the outriders there, they will be members of european royal families, there will be prime ministers, heads of state in this convoy heading into the palace. it's a real art to get everybody in and out on time, because of course the king's time is limited, so much to do ahead of the big event tomorrow. katie nicholls, royal commentator, hello. i mean, it's always quite difficult getting everybody in the right place at the right time on such a big stage.— right place at the right time on such a big stage. that's what the alace do such a big stage. that's what the palace do best. _ such a big stage. that's what the palace do best. making - such a big stage. that's what the palace do best. making sure - such a big stage. that's what the palace do best. making sure the| such a big stage. that's what the - palace do best. making sure the king is a pretty hard out at around six o'clock up, he will go back to clarence house, have dinner with the

queen consort, queen camilla, and really ready himself for tomorrow. you do wonder what must be going through his head. i thought it was very telling to see him go out and do that impromptu walkabout this afternoon. i remember the first thing he did when he came back to england following the death of the queen was to come and meet people back there, and i was with the crowds then and you didn't know which way it was going to go, whether people would applaud, weather would be a dignified silence, it was all cheering and saying god save the king attic of the same sort of reception there and that must make him realise that yes, there will be some process but for there will be some process but for the most part the people are behind him. t the most part the people are behind him. . , the most part the people are behind him. ., , ., ~' the most part the people are behind him. .,, ., ,, ., ., ., , him. i was talking earlier to katty in the changing — him. i was talking earlier to katty in the changing of _ him. i was talking earlier to katty in the changing of some - him. i was talking earlier to katty in the changing of some of- him. i was talking earlier to katty in the changing of some of the i him. i was talking earlier to katty - in the changing of some of the words tomorrow, and the invitation to pay allegiance to the king, not an instruction. they are sensitive, the palace, they do watch public opinion. palace, they do watch public 0 - inion. , palace, they do watch public oinion. , ., , ., ., opinion. they do, they read to the olls and opinion. they do, they read to the polls and they _ opinion. they do, they read to the polls and they are _ opinion. they do, they read to the polls and they are very _ opinion. they do, they read to the polls and they are very aware - opinion. they do, they read to the polls and they are very aware of l polls and they are very aware of public opinion and the protests and the king believes everyone has a

right to protest. but i think there is an overwhelming sense of support for this coronation, people i have spoken to on the mall, some of the people who have camped out, they want to be here to witness this moment in history and i think even if you are not a royalist, a monarchist, there is a sense of curiosity about this, simply because we haven't seen anything like this for 70 years. i think the big question is the future, what will happen next, what sort of king will he be? that balcony appearance you are talking about earlier, we don't know who will be up there but will the king use it as a moment to project a snapshot of what the future is going to look like? the arch vefic _ future is going to look like? the arch vefic -- — future is going to look like? the arch vefic -- -- _ future is going to look like? the arch vefic —— —— publish —— but the archbishop — arch vefic —— —— publish —— but the archbishop of _ arch vefic —— —— publish —— but the archbishop of canterbury said the coronation is rooted in history and traditions — coronation is rooted in history and traditions and from that we draw our strength _ traditions and from that we draw our strength. you talked about how sensitive — strength. you talked about how sensitive the pulsar to what is going — sensitive the pulsar to what is going on— sensitive the pulsar to what is going on elsewhere in the country and the _ going on elsewhere in the country and the cost of this. everything that is— and the cost of this. everything that is being done tomorrow, it is everything —

that is being done tomorrow, it is everything borrowed, there is nothing — everything borrowed, there is nothing new. not everything borrowed, there is nothing new-— everything borrowed, there is nothin: new. ., . �* ., nothing new. not much new! but how much new deal _ nothing new. not much new! but how much new deal want _ nothing new. not much new! but how much new deal want in _ nothing new. not much new! but how much new deal want in a _ nothing new. not much new! but how much new deal want in a coronation? | much new deal want in a coronation? i believe the whole beauty and the charm and appeal is its history, this regalia in centuries of history. i think the rewiring of these robes and ancient vestments is brilliant and as it should be but he is our eco king, we wouldn't expect anything less. we have seen changes in terms of the invite list and in terms of trying to reduce the cost to the taxpayer because the king is acutely aware that these are the big questions being asked. but only while we have a hereditary monarchy but actually, how much are they costing us? yes, it is the cost of a first castan but for some that is too much. first castan but for some that is too much-— first castan but for some that is too much. ., ., ,, ., _ , too much. you talk about the symbols we will be seeing _ too much. you talk about the symbols we will be seeing tomorrow. - too much. you talk about the symbols we will be seeing tomorrow. there - we will be seeing tomorrow. there are little nods to the king's own heritage and family. the anointing oil that they will use, tell us about that?— oil that they will use, tell us about that? ., ., ., , about that? the anointing oil is something _ about that? the anointing oil is something that _ about that? the anointing oil is something that goes _ about that? the anointing oil is something that goes back- about that? the anointing oil is - something that goes back centuries, will be on his own immediate family.

what i think is rather lovely are the nods we will see to his late father and the singing of hymns in greek. to his mother as well, some of the prayers and blessings were used in his mother's coronation so i think what they have tried to achieve is that blend of ancient history and tradition, paying tribute to his parents but also that nod to modernity, the rather controversial homage to the people, we have yet to see how that will go down. , . , we have yet to see how that will go down. , ., , ., ., ., down. given that they are so aware of how people _ down. given that they are so aware of how people view _ down. given that they are so aware of how people view the _ down. given that they are so awarej of how people view the coronation, what about the role of the other royals? you talk about the new royals? you talk about the new royals in your book but this is —— but this is a slimmed down royalty. it is more anorexic loyalty at the moment because it is slim down more than the king expected to be. we have lost the sussexes, the duke of york was forced into an early retirement because of the scandal surrounding him. so what will it look like with like princess anne give a very interesting interview in which she questioned perhaps the sense of a slimmed down market. if

the monarchy is to continue in any guise that we have seen it now carrying out thousands of engagement per year, you need foot soldiers, there was the queen used to refer to as substitutes. so there is a big question over how that will look. will charles have to have a rethink of this slimmed down monarchy? for ro al of this slimmed down monarchy? for royal watchers like youtube, the moment when they appear on the balcony behind us, that a snapshot, is that too is at the forefront of the royal family going forward with mike —— mike for royal watchers like you. t mike -- mike for royal watchers like ou. ~' , ., ~ you. i think it will be working ro als, you. i think it will be working royals. i _ you. i think it will be working royals, i think _ you. i think it will be working royals, i think that _ you. i think it will be working royals, i think that will - you. i think it will be working royals, i think that will be . you. i think it will be working | royals, i think that will be the image the king wants to send out. so it is the immediate working members of the royal family. i think we will see the duke and duchess of edinburgh, and princess anne. the king needs of those substitutes. brute king needs of those substitutes. we talked about the homage to the people... talked about the homage to the --eole...~ ., ., talked about the homage to the --eole... . ., ., ., people... what i can imagine at the wiles is? i — people. .. what i can imagine at the wiles is? i think— people... what i can imagine at the wiles is? i think kevin _ people... what i can imagine at the wiles is? i think kevin we _

people... what i can imagine at the wiles is? i think kevin we have - people... what i can imagine at the wiles is? i think kevin we have just| wiles is? i think kevin we havejust seen the king doing the walk about with william and kate, their role is not to be underplayed on this and the prince of wales will have an important role in the carnation ceremony. flit important role in the carnation ceremony-— ceremony. of course. and the children with _ ceremony. of course. and the children with the _ ceremony. of course. and the children with the starring - ceremony. of course. and the | children with the starring role. prince george will be a page tomorrow so he has an important duty tomorrow so he has an important duty to fulfil. the king there on the mall, just a couple of hours ago, he spent a good half—hour meeting people. you can see as they walk the line, there are flags from all sorts of countries, lots of people who have flown in specifically, specially for the coronation tomorrow. we talked with katie about that homage to the people, normally it is made by the players but it's been adapted since 1953, so it is the people who make their allegiance to the sovereign, to the king. jonathan dimbleby has been talking about this. is it david orjonathan?

i thinkjonathan dimbleby. he's been talking about it. this ithinkjonathan dimbleby. he's been talking about it.— talking about it. this is what he had to say- _ had to say. i can think of nothing that he would find more apparent. he's never wanted to be revered, he's never wanted, so far as i know, to have a non—pay homage to him except in mock terms as a joke. he wants, i think, to feel that people will share in the event, and i don't quite know how this might have happened. i don't know for certain, but it would seem to me that this was an initiative by the archbishop, who has been out is strongly evangelical, who thought it would be a good thing to give everyone a chance to pay that homage. i think it was well—intentioned and rather ill—advised, because its effect is to allow everyone to say, well, i'm not going to pay homage. speaking for myself i am not a homage giver,

and i think it is most bizarre and i hope it will be just part of the thing, people will observe it, some well and some are not, it will be totally individual. as latterly the archbishop has made clear. i think there might have been a mystery munication summer, i don't know, but that's what i would guess because i do know that it is so different from the king that i know to ask a homage to expect homage. jonathan dimbleby, a good friend of the king, of course. katie, you were nodding. the archbishop has said early in the week, this is no big drama, you're not being made to do it. i drama, you're not being made to do it. , , , ., drama, you're not being made to do it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people — it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people to _ it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people to feel— it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people to feel part - it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people to feel part of - it. i suppose it is all part of one thing people to feel part of this| thing people to feel part of this occasion. one of the things the late queen did say was that she brought people together mother were so many occasions where you just see the mall packed, people coming together and i think that's the spirit in which it is intended. i suppose some

british people, particularly being british people, particularly being british and stiff upper lip and not wanting to anything silly, might be a bit uncomfortable.— wanting to anything silly, might be a bit uncomfortable. people stand in town halls and _ a bit uncomfortable. people stand in town halls and swear _ a bit uncomfortable. people stand in town halls and swear allegiance - a bit uncomfortable. people stand in town halls and swear allegiance to i town halls and swear allegiance to being a new citizen of the uk. they can pay allegiance to the king and to the state. it's just we never think about it. we to the state. it's 'ust we never think about it._ to the state. it's 'ust we never think about it. ~ ., , think about it. we have never been asked to do — think about it. we have never been asked to do it _ think about it. we have never been asked to do it before _ think about it. we have never been asked to do it before and _ think about it. we have never been asked to do it before and this - think about it. we have never been asked to do it before and this is - asked to do it before and this is one of the most stark differences from now compared to 1953. those who are not in favour, _ from now compared to 1953. those who are not in favour, you _ from now compared to 1953. those who are not in favour, you want _ from now compared to 1953. those who are not in favour, you want to _ from now compared to 1953. those who are not in favour, you want to do - are not in favour, you want to do away with the monarchy, would point to the united states and say, well, they pay allegiance to an inanimate object, a flag and the state, should we still in this day and age be paying allegiance to the sovereign? should the wording be changed? i think when you look at the support

for the monarchy, there have been a lot of pulse recently and more than two thirds of british people think it is the best and what we have. we should stick with what we got because we don't want the alternative. it is the younger generation who question it and i think understandably. they can get their heads around the idea that hereditary constitutional monarchs. but when you look at our politicians and all the transience and flux that would be the alternative, think people would agree that we have got the best thing for someone like you watch events like this, we haven't seen a courage in 70 years, will you do see britain do what it does best, which is pomp and pageantry in getting people to the palace on time, which they have done. thea;r getting people to the palace on time, which they have done. they did ut on a time, which they have done. they did put on a good — time, which they have done. they did put on a good show _ time, which they have done. they did put on a good show and _ time, which they have done. they did put on a good show and we _ time, which they have done. they did put on a good show and we will - time, which they have done. they did put on a good show and we will do i time, which they have done. they did put on a good show and we will do so j put on a good show and we will do so tomorrow. thank you so much. it always interests me as a former paris correspondent that there are always these discussions about their head of state. i remember when nicolas sarkozy was there, he they thought he had brought the position of head of state into disrepute and there were lots of people in france

who take a great interest in our royal family even though they are a republic. so as katie says, sometimes people don't want the alternative. we will talk about with the public a little later and we will have plenty more coverage. you're watching bbc news. we can forecast in a moment. first, i look back on friday. it was a day of sunny spells and widespread showers. another of those showers turned foundry, like this really hefty downpour working across staffordshire. our brighter and lightning detector picked up those storms, particularly frequent thunderstorms across eastern areas of england but a few for the midlands, wales and some in northern ireland. overnight, gradually it will become calmer with some showers becoming less widespread. later in the night we will start to see rain arriving across the south—west of england. temperatures overnight around 9 to 11 so it will be a mild night. then the forecast for

saturday, this area of rain will be moving up from the south and west, so for london, for the coronation, it looks like there will be some rain. forthe it looks like there will be some rain. for the most part probably light and drizzly in nature although there could be some heavier bursts. elsewhere, the heavier rain will be across south west england and wales. this area of wet weather pushes northwards, reaching northern england later in the afternoon. ahead of that for scotland and northern ireland, saturday will be a day of sunny spells and heavy showers. apart from north—east scotland where it will continue to be quite cloudy and cool with highs of 11 in aberdeen for the boys 15 to 18 should be lucky and you might manage some sunny spells across the south—east later in the day. as we go through saturday night, showers will push northwards, eventually reaching easter in scotland later in the night. temperatures around 9 to 12. through sunday, it is a day or we will see showers develop, most likely to form across scotland and eastern areas of england. a bit

drierfor wales in eastern areas of england. a bit drier for wales in western eastern areas of england. a bit drierfor wales in western england. not a bad day in northern ireland although there will be a band of rain approaching from the west. given a bit of sunshine, it could be a bit warmer with temperatures pushing up into the late 20s in the warmest spots. more unsettled weather on monday, a day of sunshine and showers. the show is widespread, number of them becoming thundery and some will have hell. between those heavy downpours, in the maze and shredded will still feel ok and it's getting warmer in north—east scotland. so over the next few days, rain around on saturday and showers turning increasingly having an thundery over the next few days. —— evian thundery.

live from london. this is bbc news. a busy afternoon for the king ahead of tomorrow's coronation — meeting commonwealth heads of state before a garden party here at the palace later this evening. at westminster abbey, final preparations for tomorrow's coronation following the king and queen consort attending a final rehearsal. iam i am kathy k where the king was making sure all the last—minute details were in place earlier this morning.

excited, a bit nervous. obviously a big day ahead but can't wait, actually.