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CNN Live At Daybreak
People Have Been Lining Up Along Procession Route for Funeral Queen Mother
Aired April 08, 2002 - 06:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: People have been lining up along the procession route in London for the funeral of the Queen Mother. Many spent the night there just to get close to the route.
Our Richard Quest is live in London outside Westminster Hall, where the Queen Mother's body is now lying in state -- hello, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol, from London, where it's the last full day for the Queen Mother lying in state in Westminster Hall, which is just behind me, behind that big arched window that you can see. And already, even though it's a working day in Britain, the crowds have been turning out in the thousands, joining the queues, as we say in this country, to pay their last respects to the Queen Mother.
I joined that queue just a few moments ago to get the reaction from some people who have been waiting over an hour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): They had feared no one was going to show up, but in reality, they have come in the tens of thousands to pay their last respects to the Queen Mother. You can keep walking, madam, but where do you come from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have come from Waterloo just across the bridge.
QUEST: Well, you brought your children. Why is it important for that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it's history for the children, and I think it's nice to be a part of it. And we all love the Queen Mother, and we're just happy to be here.
QUEST: And the mood in the queue?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's wonderful. Everyone has been really friendly and really kind and have just good things to say really. It's all worth it.
QUEST: How long have you had to wait?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, she (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since 10:00 here. We were here at 10:00, the other side, yes.
QUEST: Has it been worth it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think so, I think so. She was a great Scottish lady and very royal person, and it's very important that people should be able to show their respects like this.
QUEST: Many thanks indeed. From this point in the queue, they have just a few more feet. You better keep up with your place; otherwise you'll lose your place. They have just a few more feet before they will be in Westminster Hall, where they will be able to pay their last respects to the Queen Mother.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And what people are saying is that whether they really loved the Queen Mother or just wanted to be here, there is an overwhelming feeling that this is an occasion of national interests and importance, a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people, and that's why they are prepared to brave the weather and come and stand often for several hours.
Carol, there were two major events today to update you on. Firstly, the four princes last this afternoon, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Viscount Lindley, will stand vigil over the coffin. That happens in the afternoon. They will stand for about 20 minutes, silent and watching over it. Members of the public will be able to file past at the same time. That will be a high point of this lying in state.
And, Carol, we are expecting confirmation that the queen, Queen Elizabeth II, is to address the nation on television tonight. Her speech or her address is expected, in the words of the palace, to set the tone for tomorrow's funeral. Carol, you will remember that she did exactly the same thing before the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
COSTELLO: And what will the Queen Mum's funeral be like tomorrow, Richard?
QUEST: It will be a grand occasion, a solemn occasion, but a celebration of her life. Basically, the coffin will be taken from Westminster Hall, on my left, to Westminster Abbey, on my right, where 2,000 guests will be present. And from there, the coffin will be driven by a hearse to Windsor, some 23 miles away. Only Prince Charles will accompany the Queen Mother on her final journey. The speed that the coffin in the hearse will take, that, according to the palace, will be determined by the number of people lining the route.
I think the main opportunity for the public to get involved was on Friday with the ceremonial procession. This will be a chance for the nation to say its final goodbye.
COSTELLO: All right, Richard Quest, thank you very much -- reporting live for us from London this morning.
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