Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Queen Elizabeth marks 70 Years on the British Throne; At Least Four People Killed, Along with Gunman in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Russians Control 80 Percent of Severodonetsk; Royal Fans Praise Queen Elizabeth Ahead of Celebration. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired June 02, 2022 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and a warm welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States and around the world. I'm Max Foster from Buckingham Palace, in London. Special coverage of the Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

Good weather thankfully, grab your party hats, get ready for the pomp and pageantry you'd love to see on these occasions. Because in about an hour the Royal family will attend the first event to celebrate a monumental anniversary. 70 years on the throne, a first for any British monarch. This new portrait of the Queen was (INAUDIBLE) Jubilee festivities. They will last four days. And she ascended the throne in 1952, in her mid-20s of course.

Royal watchers have been camped out around Buckingham Palace for hours, some even days just to be a part of this once in a lifetime event and to get the best seats in the house. CNN reporters are standing by ahead of the celebrations. Anna Stewart live on the mile where the fans are waiting for the festivities to begin. CNN's Larry Madowo is at a watch party in Kenya. Bianca is here with me at Buckingham Palace and Emily Nash as well, joining us from "Hello" magazine.

But first though, a look back at all the preparations and events to come in honor of the Queen's 70 years of service.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER (voice-over): The final preparations are under way to celebrate a moment of history. Queen Elizabeth, the first British Royal to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years of service. The lineup includes a birthday parade with gun salutes and lighting of beacons across the commonwealth, a thanksgiving service, a palace concert, a Platinum pageant. 12 million people across the U.K. are set to attend street parties over the weekend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 70 years on the throne is a huge milestone. Very hard working lady. That's why I'm here. Show my respect and support her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And the same kind of feelings at weddings. It's just everybody's happy and you want to make friends and say hi and smile.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is the conscience and I just say thank you. Thank you, ma'am and God save the Queen.

FOSTER (voice-over): Events get started with the Trooping the Colour which has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. All the pomp and pageantry that 1,200 members of the military, hundreds of army musicians, and around 240 horses can muster. The Queen has reluctantly had to pull out of a day at the races but absent on Saturday to pace herself for the celebrations. But jockeys who have ridden for her over the years will do a lineup in her honor.

WILLIE CARSON, FORMER JOCKEY WHO RODE FOR THE QUEEN: That's been when that she can let her shoulders drop and relax and, you know, talk about horses. And she knows what she's talking about too.

FOSTER: On Sunday the gold state coach will make its first appearance in decades leading a procession of performers and personalities. Prince Charles will step in when his mother feels unable to make an event, part of the transition plans preparing us for the next phase of the British monarchy.

FOSTER: What's always most telling about these occasions is the balcony appearance. It's used to project the modern phase of British monarchy. In 2002, we saw the entire extended family. In 2012, it was stripped right back to its core to reflect the more austere times. And this year it's working Royals only. So that means that you won't see Prince Andrew or Prince Harry with Meghan. They're all off the list.

FOSTER (voice-over): The Sussexes are invited and will appear possibly with their two children during events. And the world will be looking closely at their body language as they interact with other members of the family following that rift.

CNN understands Harry and Meghan won't be mixing it up with their own set of separate appearances.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER (on camera): CNN's Anna Stewart has a prime spot for the celebrations joining us live along the mile and near Buckingham Palace. I was out there late last night, Anna, I suspect that there are a few hangovers there this morning.

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: A few hangovers and quite a few more people, Max. Thousands are expected to turn out here. And honestly the mood is electric, it's infectious. I've had a smile on my face all morning. People have huge dedication to this Jubilee. This is the Platinum Jubilee, of course, no one has ever experienced that. Given this is the first British monarchy on the throne for 70 years. Huge excitement.

People I've spoken to so far are very much here for her majesty the Queen. Lots of Royal fans of course, but also, they think this might be of course, the last Jubilee celebration for the Queen. So, they've come out in droves and huge dedication and commitment to get a good spot on the mile. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been here for all night.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Since 11:00 we've been here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I confess that I haven't. Does 4 o'clock in the morning count?

STEWART: You're late.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I only had three hours in bed.

STEWART: Where are you from?

Denver, Colorado. We came for the Queen's Jubilee.

STEWART: You came here especially for the Jubilee.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we worked our trip around this, to celebrate third of the great female British monarchs.

STEWART: Who is excited about the Jubilee?

(CHEERS)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STEWART (on camera): So much excitement. And I think it also helps, the fact that we haven't really had a big celebration in terms of Royal events now since pre-pandemic. And anyone coming down the mile even cleaning vehicles and policemen are getting a huge roaring cheer in anticipation and of course, we haven't got much longer to go before we see the Royal procession coming down the mile -- Max.

FOSTER: Anna, thank you. One of the key things on any of these events is to have good weather. Of course, you don't always get it in the U.K., but thankfully it is good today. Which means there will be a full procession and a fly pass crucially. Joining me, anchor and correspondent Bianca Nobilo. Also, Emily Nash a CNN Royal contributor and a Royal correspondent for "Hello" magazine. We saw there at the hard-core royal fans, didn't we. Not everyone is a Royal fan. Not everyone is celebrating. But it does feel as though this is as much about this sort of post-COVID, post-Brexit world as it about the Queen.

BIANCA NOBILO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Britain needs this. It's a challenging time for the country as it has been for many countries after the pandemic which hit Britain very badly. Brexit even though it was supported has been a bumpy process and now we have a cost of living crisis in the U.K. which is set to only get worse. So, everyone that I've spoken to, whether or not they are a huge supporter of the Queen, enthusiastically or less so, or a Republican. They're excited to have a holiday weekend and four day party.

FOSTER: But how many people can command two days of public holidays to mark their time in service.

NOBILO: Only the Queen. Exactly.

FOSTER: What are you looking forward to today, Emily? Because I was talking there in the piece about the balcony moment, so central in how they project themselves. Harry and Meghan aren't there. Andrew is there. Will we see them at all?

EMILY NASH, CNN ROYAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, we are hoping to see Harry and Meghan. They will be we understand in the Dick Rennin's (ph) former office, overseeing the parade along with other members of the family, and the Queen's grandchildren will all be there with their spouses. Harry of course, and Meghan remain much loved members of the family according to the palace. And so, it's absolutely right that they'll be there. However, we're not quite sure yet whether we will actually see them have very many balcony moment popping up, perhaps to watch over proceedings as that goes on.

FOSTER: It'll be extraordinary to see them, won't it, in the Royal fold. It does feel as though some sort of progress has being made.

NASH: I think absolutely. You know, perhaps on this occasion all family members have to be there, but I think the Queen will be delighted that they've come back and the wider family. This is the first time they have all been together since March 2020. It's a really significant moment. And whatever happens this weekend, it's all about the Queen and supporting her, and they will want to focus absolutely to be on that.

FOSTER: Everyone on message, this is about celebrating the monarchy or the positives of the monarchy. We're not see Prince Andrew as we understand it, at all. So, they've drawn some sort of distinction between the Sussexes and Andrew. Why do you think that might be?

NOBILO: Well obviously, I mean the scandals that have surrounded Andrew have created even more challenges for the Queen. This isn't -- and is a moment of celebration for her, but it has not been without trouble for the last year. And obviously everything that's happened to Andrew throughout the trial, the settlement that was made, has put him at the very lowest popularity for any Royal. I think the people ratings for that -18 or thereabouts. Harry and Meghan are the next most unpopular Royal after him.

So, I think that it is just wanting to make sure that the celebration is focused, as you said, squarely on the positives of the Queen, her dedication to service, duty, her 70 years on the throne.

[04:10:00]

And not to have any distractions which were incredibly polarizing -- I mean, it's not even polarizing because Andrew doesn't have popularity across the U.K.

FOSTER: People in the palace kind of relieved that this day even came, right. Because not only of the challenges of lockdown, but also frankly the Queen's health. NASH: Absolutely. We know that she's been suffering from the episodic

mobility issues. She is 96 years old, you know, but I think that we need to look at this the right way around. You know, this is not someone who is doing less because she's incredibly frail. She's just out there at 96. That's incredible in itself. And you know, she's very much been looking forward to this. I wonder if she's almost been pacing herself deliberately so she can be here today.

FOSTER: Which is why she catch the races tomorrow do you think?

NASH: Well, this a big question --

FOSTER: Or Saturday, rather.

NASH: -- She's a huge, huge racing fan, as we all know. And we were all looking forward to seeing her there, but unfortunately none of her runners are going to be in the Darby itself, so perhaps it was a sensible one to drop.

FOSTER: Quickly Bianca. We are going to see part of the transition as it is playing out, Charles will step in whenever the Queen can't make an event. You're from New Zealand originally. How is this being received around the world? This new phase of monarchy that we're seeing.

NOBILO: It is muted. Because New Zealand, even though it is one of the remaining countries where the Queen is head of state, the other 14, is typically considered to be one of the countries that is more supportive of retaining the monarchy. But even so, I mean, there aren't widespread enthusiastic celebrations that are planned.

And if you look to New Zealand's neighbor, Australia, even yesterday there was a minister appointed for the Republic and they spoke out and said that these are the twilight years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the monarchy down under essentially. And we've seen Barbados become a Republic last November. So, it's inevitable most experts think that only more countries will follow in removing the Queen as head of state.

So, it is an interesting moment. At once a high point and celebration of Queen Elizabeth II reign --

FOSTER: Makes this another high point in that sense.

NOBILO: It does. But it almost has that feeling of the beginning of the end in some other respects.

OK, Bianca, Emily, that would be later on. Don't go anywhere, we've got much more coming up including some of the other stories happening around the world.

Plus, some lovely music.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY GREY, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Historic. I think it's a once in a generation type of event. And to be able to be here is just amazing. And I can tell you the appetite back in the U.S. for not only this celebration, but the Royal family, is through the roof. So, people are very excited.

MARY VENCKUS, AMERICAN TOURIST: Oh, I love it. This is what -- I mean, this is what I love when I come to England. I just love the pageantry, I love, I mean, the Queen and everything. It's kind of what I live for. It is just -- I just love the whole thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:15:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Welcome back. I'm Max Foster outside Buckingham Palace covering Queen Elizabeth's 70 years of service to the British people.

We're also following yet another massive shooting in the United States just days after the deadly rampage at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. A gunman killed four people at a hospital complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma before killing himself. Police know the shooter's name but are not releasing it. Police say they arrived on the scene very quickly and that fast response may have kept the death toll from rising.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. RICHARD MEULENBERG, TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT: It's one of those things that you train constantly on and you hope you never have to use it. But I'm very proud of the men and women who ran up those stairs and used it. While it's absolutely tragic that anybody lost their life, I feel strongly that the rapid response by our officers prevented the loss of further life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: According to the Gun Violence Archive, the bloodshed in Tulsa marks their 233rd mass shooting in the U.S. just since the start of this year. Dozens of these tragedies happened in schools. June 1 was the 152nd day of the year, meaning that there are more mass shootings than days in 2022. CNN's Gary Tuchman has further details from Tulsa.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is still a robust police presence here at the St. Francis hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma after the latest mass shooting in the United States.

A man walked in to one of the doctor's office buildings right behind me, it's called the Natalie building, there are orthopedics and oncologists who work inside there, and shot and killed four people all on the second floor. Police are telling us that this was not a random shooting, that he targeted that particular office on the second floor. They are not telling us specifically though what he targeted. We're also being told something very critical here, that within three

minutes after they got the report, the police say they were inside the building. Super important because we know what happened in Texas inside that school, the delay in getting inside the school. Here when the police walked in the building, they're saying that they heard the gunshot, then the gunshots stopped. They opened a door. They saw a person lying there dead. Then they saw the gunman with a pistol and rifle lying dead. It's very possible if they didn't get in there as soon as they did, he would have kept shooting.

Either way, there's a lot of investigating still to do. This man's name is not being released. He is in his 30s. One of the reasons they're not releasing the name is because earlier in the day there was a bomb threat at a nearby home or business. Police are saying they are related, this bomb threat and this man who went inside the hospital. They are still investigating that.

Either way it's very important to us not to get desensitized to this. Once again, a mass shooting in the United States. Four people who came in here either to get medical treatment, escort somebody to get medical treatment or people who worked here are dead.

This is Gary Tuchman, CNN, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Grieving families in Uvalde, Texas are seeking answers as they say their final good-byes to the 21 victims of last week's horrific school shooting. In the wake of the tragedy, the governor is now calling for immediate school safety reviews to ensure schools across Texas are following the appropriate procedures.

[04:20:00]

This as more details are emerging from the day of the massacre. The mayor of Uvalde describes how a negotiator was trying to frantically -- or trying frantically to reach the gunman by phone during the attack. Still more questions than answers remain over the police response to the shooting. Shimon Prokupecz caught up with the school district police chief who led that response and has largely stayed out of the public eye ever since.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: I just want your reaction to the direction that you were responsible for the decision for going into that room. How do you explain yourself?

PETE ARREDONDO, UVALDE SCHOOL POLICE CHIEF: We're going to be respectful to the families.

PROKUPECZ: I understand that. You to have an opportunity to explain yourself to the parents.

ARREDONDO: And just so you know we're going to do this eventually, obviously. PROKUPECZ: When?

ARREDONDO: And whenever this is done and the families quit grieving, we'll do this obviously.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Well, on Wednesday visitations were held for three young victims, two funerals also took place for a teacher and student. More services are planned in the days ahead.

Russia is another step closer to taking full control of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine. The regional governor says Russian forces now occupy about 80 percent of the city, captures all of Severodonetsk is a principal goal of Vladimir Putin's army as it moves across the Donbas.

Local officials describe intense street fighting. Most buildings are now in ruins. Food, water and other essentials are running out for the up to 15,000 people who remain. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports two people hurt after Russian cruise missiles struck a railway in the western part of the country near the border with Slovakia. And Kyiv's regional police confirm more than 1,300 people have been killed in villages near the capital since Russia invaded in late February.

The U.K. now joining the U.S. in sending advanced longer range rocket systems to Ukraine. The British defense secretary says the launches will be able to hit targets up to 80 kilometers or 15 miles away. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he is sending his country's most modern air defense system to Ukraine. He says the IRIS-T battery will be able to protect an entire city from Russian air attacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is defending Washington's decision to send those rocket systems to Ukraine. The Kremlin says it adds fuel to the fire. Blinken says the weapons are for defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Specifically with regard to weapon systems being provided, the Ukrainians have given us assurances that they will not use these systems against targets on Russian territory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: NATO secretary-general will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House today. Jens Stoltenberg discussed the war in Ukraine with the U.S. Secretary of State on Wednesday. Antony Blinken says he wants a diplomatic solution to the conflict but Western allies need to make sure Russia feels as much pressure as possible to end its aggression.

I'm Max Foster live from Buckingham Palace in London. We've got much more coverage of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations ahead. And before we go, we leave you with some history about her majesty. In her 70 years on the throne, a total of 14 U.S. presidents have been

in office during her reign. Harry Truman was president of the United States when the Queen ascended to the throne in 1952. She has personally met with all of them except one and that was President Lyndon B. Johnson.

[04:25:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Welcome back to our special coverage of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. I'm Max Foster live from Buckingham Palace in London. Right now, we're just about half an hour away from the start of the four days of festivities to honor Britain's longest reigning monarch. The U.K. is pulling out all the stops for their beloved sovereign and her 70 years on the throne. Today's the big event will be the Queen's birthday parade known as Trooping of the Colour. Some royal watchers have been camping out for days along the mile near the palace to get a front row seat to this once in a lifetime event.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just love the Queen. She served so selflessly for the last 70 years, dedicated her life to the country. I'm so grateful for her for that and so proud of her. You know, so just wanted to come over and say thank you really. So, this is me just saying thank you to her for her service.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First time something like this in our lifetime. And the last no doubt.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think particularly to this country over the last couple of years as well. She's kept people going and given them hope.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: The Queen's seven decades of service to the British crown has been filled with both triumphs and hardships. Here is a look back at her majesty's time on the throne.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER (voice-over): After the death of her father King George VI, 25- year-old Elizabeth known as Lilibeth to friends assumed the throne. Crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. This was the first time the public was able to witness this sacrosanct event. Elizabeth allowed live television cameras into capture the ceremony. In a powerful signal that hers was a new open and relevant monarchy.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: I declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

QUEEN MARGRETHE II, DENMARK: That was an example which I very much felt that when I grew older that is what it was about. You dedicate your life to your country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was with her marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh that perhaps we first realized a personality of our Queen to be.

FOSTER (voice-over): On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth had wed her childhood sweetheart. The tall and dashing Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The following year their marriage bore Elizabeth's heir, Prince Charles.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir Winston and Lady Churchill came to receive her majesty and the Duke of --

FOSTER (voice-over): Her first Prime Minister was Winston Churchill and during her rule, she's met every acting U.S. president bar one, meetings she always prioritized. Stiff upper lipped in public, there's little footage to show the sense of humor this wife, mother and grandmother is reputed to show behind closed doors.

[04:30:00]