Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Guests of Harry & Meghan Get Ready for Wedding; Illinois Officer Rushes to Save Students' Lives; Pilot Saves Dogs from Kill Shelters; Royal Wedding Fever Has Taken Over England. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired May 18, 2018 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: All right. We are now just 24 hours away from the big event, the royal wedding of Prince Harry and his bride, Meghan Markle.

[07:01:19] Let's bring in two people who know a lot about them. Joining us now is the author of "Harry: A Biography of a Prince," Angela Levin; and Trevor Rose, CEO of Community Reporting Studio and friend of Prince Harry, who will be attending the royal wedding. Great to see both of you.

Trevor, you got one of the coveted invitations to the wedding. How are you preparing?

TREVOR ROSE, FRIEND OF PRINCE HARRY: I'm just trying to take it step by step. You know, I'm saying to you, I've been looking at a few suits.

CAMEROTA: What have you decided on to wear? This is a big decision.

ROSE: Yes. I would say but then the secret is gone. It's all about in the scene.

CAMEROTA: I see. This is almost as big a secret as Meghan's dress.

ROSE: Yes.

CAMEROTA: I get you.

ROSE: Yes, yes.

CAMEROTA: OK, Angela, you were granted unprecedented access to Prince Harry while you were writing the biography of him. You spent a lot of time with him. How do you think he is today? How do you think he's preparing for tomorrow?

ANGELA LEVIN, AUTHOR, "HARRY: A BIOGRAPHY OF A PRINCE": I think he can't wait to get it over. I think the wedding is enormous. I think he's fed up with all the sort of little gripes that have come in. And he just wants it over, and he wants her to be his wife and to get on with their life. She's itching, too, to get things done.

You know, she's really keen to change the world. They talked about that on their first date together, how they both wanted to change the world. I've never known anyone talk about that when you first meet them. I think he just really wants to get it over and done with.

CAMEROTA: I mean, you referred to the little gripes that have cropped up. Actually, there's been quite a bit of some family drama.

LEVIN: Yes.

CAMEROTA: You know, all the question of will Meghan's father come, won't he, then his medical scare. Then who will walk her down the aisle. It's just been announced this morning -- we've had breaking news -- that she will walk herself most of the way down the aisle in a truly unprecedented move, showing that she doesn't need anybody to give her away. She's an accomplished woman. But how do you think Harry has dealt with all that family drama?

LEVIN: She's very lucky with him in many ways but in particularly caring. I mean, he is an incredibly caring person. He said to me he's got -- he's very, very good at hugs, which is a fascinating thing for someone who's 33 to say. And he said that he's very passionate. And he's got a huge heart, and he loves to be loving with people. And sometimes it can make him a little bit irritable, because he doesn't get things quickly enough, or -- but he can change people.

And, Trevor, you told me this. I went to Nottingham with Prince Harry on my first visit. Just like Meghan, he took her there first. And I met Trevor. I had to arrive before Prince Harry did. And there were lots of very rather dysfunctional late teens and early teenagers who'd been blocked from school, blocked from nightclubs, sports clubs and youth clubs. And I -- and I said are you pleased to see Prince Harry? And they were, "Huh, who cares?"

Trevor said to me, "You just wait. It will be like he's turned on a switch. When he comes in, you'll see the change."

CAMEROTA: And so what is it like when he's visited there and spent time with those teenagers?

ROSE: To be honest, it's amazing. I mean, you know, it's like you actually just turn and you go, "Oh, yes, he's Prince Harry."

And everyone is just like, "What, Prince Harry? Royal prince?"

I'm saying, "Yes, he's there." I mean, he's walked in before when we've been trying to record with a few kids. But a young singer who was like, "I don't know whether I want to go in the booth to record."

Harry went, "Trev, let's me and you go in that booth and show him what it's like."

CAMEROTA: Gosh, that's very cool. And so you've been friends with him for five years. What has been been like to watch him with Meghan?

ROSE: It's been -- I mean, it's been amazing. I met her a couple of times. You know, she attended Nottingham. CAMEROTA: I mean, that -- it was so important to Prince Harry to

bring her to Nottingham to your studio. He wanted to introduce his girlfriend to his good friend.

[08:35:04] LEVIN: It's true. It's true. They have an amazing relationship.

ROSE: He's -- I mean he's been coming down a number of times now. He's supported us. He's worked with us, and he's took the time out to be Harry, the person. And we've got used to that. There's jokes. There's banter. There's a lot of hard work. There's a lot of belief. I mean, you know --

LEVIN: Humbling. He sort of gets you in a headlock. They're like sort of teenagers, frolicking teenagers.

CAMEROTA: He said he wanted you to teach him how to break dance. Has that happened?

ROSE: He might bust a move at the after party. If he does -- if he does --

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh. OK. That's a good tease for what's going to happen at the party after the wedding when things loosen up.

ROSE: Yes.

CAMEROTA: That's very cool. And so what do you think? How do you think the monarchy will change after tomorrow?

LEVIN: I think it won't change enormously. It will change imperceptibly for some years. I think Meghan will make a big difference to this, not just because she's an actress and mixed race and been divorced, because she's really focused on philanthropy. And Harry just needed -- he said to me, "I really want someone to be with me, to carry the burden and to do well with me."

And they've got loads of plans. They want to go to the commonwealth. They want to deal with women's rights, LGBT. You name it and they'll be after it.

I think he's refreshed. He said he was really to go, you know, full of enthusiasm and energy and really royal. He wants to get royals dealing with youth and young people who he feels aren't so interested in the monarchy, get them going.

CAMEROTA: Well, Trevor Rose, Angela Levin, thank you both for sharing your personal impressions. It's so nice to hear what the couple is really like, what Prince Harry is really like. And have fun --

LEVIN: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: -- at the wedding. Can't wait to hear about it, and the after party.

LEVIN: Yes, me, too. CAMEROTA: We will be live for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's special day tomorrow. Royal wedding coverage begins tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. Eastern on CNN.

All right, also immediate response from a school resource officer in Illinois, thwarting a shooter before anyone got hurt. We'll talk about that and how his brave actions saved lives, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:41:13] CUOMO: An Illinois school resource officer jumped into action after police say that a former student opened fire at graduation rehearsal. CNN's Ryan Young tells us how Officer Mark Dallas went beyond the call of duty.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just after 8 Wednesday morning, gunshots rang out through the halls of Dixon High School just outside the gymnasium, where the entire senior class was gathered for graduation rehearsal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shots fired at Dixon High School. Shots fired at Dixon High School.

YOUNG: The shooter, authorities say, is 19-year-old Matthew Milby.

NOAH WILCOX, SENIOR, DIXON HIGH SCHOOL: We just hear pop, pop, pop, pop really loud, and like it was right next to us. It was, you know, ten feet away from us.

YOUNG: School resource officer Mark Dallas, a 15-year veteran of the Dixon Police Department and athletic director Jared Shaner also heard the shots from this office just down the hall.

JARED SHANER, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, DIXON HIGH SCHOOL: There were three or four loud shots, very rapid succession. And without hesitation, Mark kind of looked at me and said that was gunfire or that was gunshots, opened the door and immediately steps out of the office and turns this way.

You could hear, you know, just that the shots came from down there. And it was apparent that the shooter was -- was right there kind of by our trophy case and the garbage can. And Mark, without hesitation, just immediately begins to run in this direction, giving verbal commands, telling the person to drop their weapon, to put their hands up.

YOUNG: As Officer Dallas pursues Milby out the door, Shaner yells toward the seniors in the gym to run. The varsity quarterback, Noah Wilcox, was at the rehearsal.

WILCOX: It was just run. Like, seeing that many people run for their lives, and, you know, not knowing at that time we pretty much knew, OK, someone is here, someone is trying to hurt us.

YOUNG: Among the 180 seniors fleeing the gym, Officer Dallas' own son, Josh.

SHANER: I can't even imagine the emotions and the thought process that he's going through at that time to have an active shooter in your building with your son literally 50, 60 feet away from that.

But I -- just by his actions and the type of person I know he is, there's not a lot of that thought process. He's thinking, "I'm a police officer. My job is to serve and protect, and I'm going to go do that."

YOUNG: While closely pursuing Milby outside, the officer is shot at by the 19-year-old. Dallas returns fire, striking Milby twice and ending the pursuit. His injuries were not life-threatening.

SHANER: It's very emotional to think about what the outcome could have been. If Mark had not been in my office that morning at that specific time --

WILCOX: Officer Dallas, for the rest of my life, I will be -- I will be completely thankful for him for saving my life.

YOUNG: A lifelong resident of Dixon, having spent five years as a school resource officer, Dallas receiving a newfound gratitude from staff and parents for the work he does every day.

SHANER: It gives you a whole new perspective on police work. When they leave in the morning, they're putting themselves -- their livelihood demands that they be fearless, that they do things like this. And we sure hope they don't come up every day. But you know, in this situation he's the perfect guy that we would want here.

YOUNG: Ryan Young, CNN, Dixon, Illinois.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Wow, just such a reminder. I mean, I know there's so many issues that get involved with school shootings, but one thing that is an absolute is the dedication of first responders. And you just saw it in action. Our thanks to Ryan Young.

All right, so when this week's CNN hero first earned his pilot's license -- did it on a whim -- he had no idea what he would end up doing with it. So now twice a month Paul Steklenski spends his own money to fly dogs from high-kill shelters in the south to no-kill shelters in the north. Check out these life-saving missions of love.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[18:45:05] PAUL STEKLENSKI, FLYING FUR ANIMAL RESCUE: You just look like my Tessa. You're just like my baby girl.

I try to greet every passenger before we load them onto the aircraft. I like to spend a few moments with them.

You ready to go? So they can see me, they can smell me. Load the airplane up and then we'll make stops along the Eastern Coast. I'm quite certain they know things are about to change.

Hey, buddy. He is so calm right now.

They know things are better, and they're not going to ending up in the pound.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: How cool is that? A little side note, the Cuomo family has two rescues from high-kill shelters in the south.

So to see more of how Paul gives these pets the first-class treatment and to nominate anyone that you think should be a CNN Hero, you just go to CNNheroes.com. Why not do it right now?

All right. So the world is eagerly awaiting tomorrow's royal wedding. Alisyn Camerota, decked out for the event there at Windsor Castle, has news for you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:50:00] CAMEROTA: Welcome back, everyone. The excitement here in Windsor is palpable. Roughly 24 hours from now, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will say "I do." So we have already had some big breaking news during the program.

Meghan Markle has announced that she will walk herself most of the way down the aisle unaccompanied. Then Prince Charles, Harry's father, will join her for just a portion of that walk. You'll remember that Meghan had announced yesterday that she was sad that her father would not be able to be here, but she made this decision herself, that she will walk down the aisle mostly unaccompanied.

Meghan's mom is here in Windsor. Her name is Doria Ragland. She is set to meet with the queen for the first time today at Windsor Castle that you see behind me. And we're also learning some more details about the royal nuptials.

CNN's Jason Carroll has all the developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Royal watchers have lined the streets surrounding Windsor Castle, anxiously waiting for the moment Meghan Markle and Prince Harry say "I do."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a member of the royal family. It's Diana's youngest son.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm happy for Harry. I'm happy for Meghan, as well.

CARROLL: Before the ceremony, 1,200 specially invited guests will gather on the grounds of Windsor Castle so they can see the arrivals of the bride and groom. Guests like 11-year-old Lilly Hey and her family.

LILLY HEY, GUEST AT ROYAL WEDDING: I was surprised.

CARROLL: Hey's family received a letter inviting them after Kensington Palace learned that Hays had raised money for cancer research following the death of Lilly's 8-year-old brother.

HEY: When I first read it, I was, like, "What?" And so I had to get Mum to read over it and explain it properly to me.

SUSAN HEY, LILLY HEY'S MOTHER: The last thing you expect, any of us, never mind 11, to be receiving the invitation of the year.

CARROLL: The ceremony, now just hours away, will happen inside St. George's Chapel. Just 600 guests, mostly family and friends, will have a seat here. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour. Then the royal procession begins.

(on camera): Security is asking us to stay back a little bit, but what you're looking at right now is a rehearsal for the household cavalry. This is the military guard that's going to be escorting the newlyweds through their procession through the streets.

(voice-over): Once outside these gates, the carriage carrying the newlyweds will be met by thousands of their fans. Some are already here. They'll then head down Castle Hill. Then the procession will turn left to the high street. The procession will circle streets around the castle, packed with souvenir shops stocked with plates, cups and flags bearing the image of the royal couple.

(on camera): You're here now. You're here early.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a super-ish fan.

CARROLL: Fans like Ivanka Silkowski (ph) have camped out for days.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was at the first one, like Will and Kate's, as well. I actually wasn't going to come out. And then last Wednesday I thought, "Oh, come on, I have more connection to these two than the last ones."

CARROLL: Silkowski (ph) worked alongside Markle. She was an extra in the final episode of "Suits," the TV series that made Markle a star. That's her holding the glass of champagne in the scene.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When she was dancing we were this far away, so just a simple hello, but she was very pleasant and it was nice to see her.

CARROLL: The final stretch of the procession will take place on the long walk. It's a picturesque tree-lined avenue in Windsor Park that ends where it will all begin Saturday, at Windsor Castle.

(END VIDEOTAPE) CAMEROTA: Chris, I cannot get enough of my fascinator, OK? Luckily, I will have more opportunities to wear it. I will be back on the air providing coverage from here in a couple of hours at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and then, of course, tomorrow morning. We will be live for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's special day. The royal wedding coverage starts tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. Eastern on CNN.

CUOMO: Well, look, I mean, I don't -- I have never seen you not look wonderful in anything you've done, but that is a family heirloom that you have on your head right now. The feathers are from the rare Ortolan and they are arranged in a Fibonacci sequence.

CAMEROTA: You know, you know a lot about fascinators. And you've hidden this from me. But it is impressive.

CUOMO: In truth, it takes time to share something like that. Passed down, ten generations of Cuomo men, one to another. Some say it was discovered on a hillside in ancient Persia.

CAMEROTA: Did your brother wear this at his inauguration?

CUOMO: No, because he believes having anything on your head is a sign of weakness. In fact, he thinks almost everything is a sign of weakness.

CAMEROTA: I know that about him, but I would suggest a tiara, which will also be shown tomorrow, I hear.

So we have a lot of news in terms of what the bride will be wearing. Obviously, everybody is waiting to see who the designer of her gown will be. And then, of course, Chris, the big news that she'll be walking unaccompanied --

[08:55:05] CUOMO: Love it.

CAMEROTA: -- and the message that that sends, that she's doing something so unprecedented and unconventional. Again, this couple is, you know, just thoroughly modern.

CUOMO: I love it. I get, you know, that people have that intimacy. If they get to have their mother or their father or somebody in their family that matters, that's great. But if they want to say, "I stand alone," that is also great. And it's about time, and it's great to see it in a monarch manifestation.

I will be watching you. I always miss not having you here with me, but you're in the right place for the right occasion. And I know you're going to kill it. So enjoy yourself, my friend.

CAMEROTA: Thank you, Chris. I promise to wear the fascinator when I come back on NEW DAY every day, as well.

CUOMO: Well, you are always fascinating, as we know. But don't come back with one of those Madonna lilts. I'm telling you right now, I'll call it out. I'll call it out.

CAMEROTA: Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about.

CUOMO: Well, that's how you sound anyway. You're the well-spoken one in the pair. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Looking forward to it.

CUOMO: All right. "CNN NEWSROOM" with Poppy Harlow is next, right after the break. Please stay with CNN.