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U.K. Celebrates 70-Year Reign of Queen Elizabeth; Countries Around the World Celebrate the Queen's 70 Year Reign; Zelenskyy Says Russians Control About 20 percent of Ukraine; Tropical Storm Warnings Issued for Parts of Florida. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired June 03, 2022 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our special coverage of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. I'm Max Foster outside St. Paul's Cathedral where in a couple hours we'll be in a service of commemoration really for the Queen's 70 years on the throne. The theme will be public service, but sadly she won't be here. She overexerted herself pretty much yesterday, suffered discomfort throughout the day during that balcony moment. She was able to attend a beacon lighting later on in the evening. But that was pretty much it. She cannot travel all the way here and sit through a long service, so she is out there at Windsor at the moment.

The Queen did thrill crowds nevertheless, she looked happy up there on the balcony for all the military elements of this four day celebration. Of the Horse Guards there was a parade. Prince Charles stepping in for her there as he'll have to today as well. And that's going to be the theme going forward. If she can make an event, she'll try to get there but we're going to see Prince Charles really stepping in to represent her. Not becoming the monarch, himself, there's no question that's going to happen, but he will certainly be representing her on these types of occasions.

Now, countries around the world are engaged in this as well across the Commonwealth. But particularly the 14 other countries where the Queen is head of state. Australia, to parts of Africa, and also to North America, Canada of course, part of the Commonwealth. The beacons were lit and people were getting really involved in it, monarchists at least in parts of those countries. There were republican movements, but this feels like a moment to celebrate the woman as opposed to the crown. CNN's Paula Newton had the latest from Ottawa.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was celebrated not just in Britain but right around the world in Commonwealth countries like here in Canada. 1,500 beacons like the one behind me lit in Commonwealth countries including of course here in Canada.

Now listen, the Queen has often said that she considers Canada a second home to her and the royal family, she has visited her more than any other country in her realm. And certainly, it's a reciprocal relationship. Many here in Canada certainly respecting, admiring and even loving the Queen no more so than today, the day, the occasion of her Jubilee. I want you to listen now to some of the comments but also some of the ambivalence of what is to come later in the future of this royal family, listen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love the Queen. And you know, I've always -- I can remember as a kid going to see her on the train up in Torrance in Muskoka. And you know, it was always so much fun.

NEWTON: Saw her as a little girl.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It would be nice in Canada moved on to the next step and you know, created its own independence and be Canada as a whole rather than, you know, have that monarchy still be a thing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like the like the unity that comes with the Commonwealth. Like that we all are like -- we all have this shared history because of the Queen, but it is not like -- we aren't like bound to that.

NEWTON: So as much as people are celebrating here in Canada with the Queen, there is also a reality that people are wondering what comes next. Well, the Queen herself said as much in her statement looking towards the future. Prince Charles was here in Canada just a few weeks ago alluding to how the monarchy may need to change especially when it comes to any kind of reconciliation especially with indigenous peoples here in countries like Canada.

But this was in fact an occasion for celebration and certainly to continue that outpouring that so many Canadians have for the service and the love of their Queen.

Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: CNN Royal historian Kate Williams is with me here. There will be high commissioners from around the world, there'll be ambassadors from around the world invited today to remember the Queen and say thanks effectively for the last 70 years of service. Canada is interesting. It is largely pro-monarchy, obviously parts of Quebec big Republican movement. But there are other countries that are very much moving away from monarchy. So, people will be looking at today's event with different prisms today, I think.

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Yes, we are expecting to see a big change in terms of the Queen as head of state. And there's 15 countries she's head of state over.

[04:35:00]

We know they matched it, Jamaica, Antiqua and also Belize and also Australia have all talked about change and we expect this to happen in the next monarchy, but certainly they are beginning to happen now. And I think certainly it means that we will see a very different monarchy in the future.

FOSTER: We've got a helicopter above. People are arriving, they're starting to come. These are all public service workers and dignitaries. You see the Prime Minister is arriving today as well. I think that he'll be speaking. That's the suggestion anyway. He started describing her as Elizabeth the Great. You're a Royal historian, is that a phrase that you're going to start using in your bio?

WILLIAMS: I do think that in years to come we will look back on this era as the high watermark of monarchy. I don't think monarchy will ever be in Britain and around the world as popular, as talked about, as significant. It really is the great moment monarchy under Elizabeth II.

FOSTER: One of the best monarchs, the best monarch.

WILLIAMS: I think she's definitely up there with one of the best monarchs in the world and best monarchs in the country, best monarchs in the world. And she has given so many years of service, 70 years of service. That's what she promised when she was 21, that her whole life whether long or short would be service. And her last birthday message, she signed it her servant. I can't be Henry VIII (INAUDIBLE).

FOSTER: Thank you, Kate. We'll be back with Kate later on. We will have highlights of today's services of course.

We're going to go back to Kim after the break though for the latest on the war in Ukraine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Today marks the 100th day the war in Ukraine. And President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports as forces are holding off a major Russian offensive around Severodonetsk. Much of the city is in Russian hands and if it falls, Vladimir Putin's military will control the entire Luhansk region.

[04:40:00]

Despite heavy losses and slow progress, Russia has continued to gain territory in the east. President Zelenskyy says the Donbas which includes Severodonetsk is simply devastated. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): As of now, nearly 20 percent of our territory is under the control of occupiers. Almost 125,000 square kilometers. It is more than the territory of all Benelux countries together. Nearly 300,000 square kilometers are polluted with mines and unexploded ordinance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Senior Ukrainian military officers says there are no immediate plans to withdraw from Severodonetsk. Now CNN isn't able to verify Zelenskyy's claim that that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the invasion began.

Ukraine's military also reports heavy fighting north of Sloviansk with Russian shelling almost every minute. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine says three monks were killed by Russian strikes on a town nearby. CNN's Nada Bashir is tracking it live this hour from London. So, Nada, let's start with that vital city of Severodonetsk. What's the latest there?

NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Well, Kim, as you mentioned that President Zelenskyy has acknowledged those significance losses, the 20 percent around mark of territory that is now in Russian control. And of course, Severodonetsk has now become the key focal point of Ukraine's counter offensive against Russia's military offensive in Ukraine.

We've seen severe bombardment in Severodonetsk, the situation there has been described as difficult by senior Ukrainian military officials. And of course, the Ukrainian armed forces, the troops there in that city are facing the significant risk of potentially being encircled by the Russian trooped.

But as you mentioned there, despite this risk, despite the situation on the ground, we've heard from the Ukrainian armed forces that they do not foresee an immediate withdrawal at least at this stage. They continue with their counter offensive and their attempt to push the Russian armed forces back in Severodonetsk. And in fact, we heard from President Zelenskyy speaking yesterday during his daily address and he suggested some small signs of progress on the ground. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENSKYY (through translator): The situation in Donbas has not changed significantly in a day. We have some successes in the battles for Severodonetsk but it's too early to tell. It's the hardest area we have now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASHIR: And taking a cautionary tone, the situation on the ground is extremely difficult as we've heard, that constant bombardment by the Russian armed forces. But we heard from Luhansk military administration yesterday, he said that the Ukrainian armed forces in Severodonetsk had taken some Russian troops captive. That they continue to hold the western edges of the city. But also acknowledging that now the Russian troops are in control of the majority of the city. At least around 80 percent.

And of course, the concern now and the key focus really is preventing the Russian armed forces from pushing further west when we've heard the Kremlin repeatedly express its objectives. It believes in its words that it is liberating the people of the Luhansk region. But of course, we've heard from U.K. intelligence in just the last two hours as well, saying that the signs on the ground is that the Russian armed forces are having tactical success and they expect the Luhansk region to be in total Russian control within the next two weeks -- Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Nada Bashir in London, thanks so much.

Parts of Florida are now under tropical storm warnings thanks to a storm system currently northwest of Cozumel, Mexico. It's getting stronger and forecasters expect to become tropical storm Alex sometime Friday afternoon. CNN meteorologist Gene Norman joins us from the CNN Weather Center here in Atlanta. So, Gene, you are tracking it, how bad is it going to be and where is it going to hit?

GENE NORMAN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Kim, this is mainly going to be a big rainmaker with the potential for flooding rains across southern Florida and sections of Cuba as well as the Bahamas.

A couple years ago the Hurricane Center started using a classification of a potential tropical cyclone, this lets them put out watches and warnings even before a system gets a name and becomes more organized. And right now, this system is having a hard time getting itself together here. Just off the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, kind of lopsided because of upper level winds that are shearing it apart. But we expect that it will begin to get more organized during the afternoon today and it should become a tropical storm with the name Alex.

Now is going to be heading for southern Florida and the rain will actually precede it by a couple of hours. But the big concern with this, with anytime that you have a tropical storm is the flooding rains and that is what we're expecting. And because of that the Hurricane Center has gone ahead and put out some tropical storm warnings, as you mentioned, from Ft. Myers back down to Key West and that blue shading.

[04:45:00]

The other areas are under a tropical storm watch. The warning means those conditions are expected within the next 24 hours.

Here's the latest track. We're going to get a new one in the next couple of hours. But right now, we're expecting to become a tropical storm later on today on into tonight, make a landfall sometime Saturday afternoon, and then continue on into the Atlantic kind of harmlessly, no real concern once it moves out to sea. But that rain, that's really going to start later on this afternoon. Pick up with intensity overnight and into Saturday. And, boy, we're talking about a lot of rain across southern Florida. In fact, the projections are anywhere from 6 to 8 inches in some spots. We could see localized areas of up to 10 inches of rain. And that will likely lead to flooding. The other concern is of course the storm surge, as this system heads toward the southwestern coast of Florida. So, we'll continue to track it, Kim, but it looks like a lot of rain for southern Florida.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, a lot to look out for this weekend. Appreciate it, meteorologist Gene Norman. Thanks so much.

All right, that does it for me here at CNN's World Headquarters in Atlanta. We'll have more on the upcoming Jubilee Celebrations from St. Paul's Cathedral with my colleague Max Foster. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:50:00]

FOSTER: Welcome back to our special coverage of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. I'm outside St. Paul's Cathedral on day two of a four day celebration of the Queen's 70 years on the throne. Today is about her position as head of the Church of England. And people from all over the world and across the U.K. coming here -- public servants across the world coming here to pay tribute to the Queen's public service. That's very much the theme today.

This is Service of Thanksgiving going ahead despite the fact that her majesty is unable to attend. She overexerted herself, frankly, yesterday. She felt discomfort, we're told, in the palace's words and was too far for her to travel and just too long a service. The bells of Great Paul, the largest bell in the land, due to ring out very soon to signal the start of this service. And members of the royal family will also arrive soon and the service will be followed by lunch at the Guildhall.

Buckingham Palace announced the 96-year-old monarch suffered those issues. We understand that she is going to be watching from TV from Windsor -- on TV though. Royal watchers thrilled to see her out and about yesterday though looking really well. The military side of the commemorations, that military parade over by the palace. We've got CNN Royal historian Kate Williams with us here. We've also got -- who have we got? We've got Anna in Windsor. We have Anna. Anna is over there in Windsor. And we have been told she's watching TV, that would be expected, wouldn't it, Anna, and she'll be enjoying that service despite the fact she can't be here herself.

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Thanks for remembering I'm here, Max. Yes, I'm in Windsor as is her majesty the Queen after a very busy day yesterday. And I don't think that anyone is surprised that she's having a day off today. It was a long day, it was an active day. The Queen, of course, lives here in Windsor Castle. Of course, she had to travel yesterday to Buckingham Palace, all made up ready for those cameras. And she had a lot to do in terms of a long time stood out there for "Trooping the Colour" where she took the salute. A long-time stood out there again with the rest of the royal family for that fly pass.

And I suspect a lot of social gathering within Buckingham Palace filed that. Oh, you may see and hear some horses. You can see them, there's a horse and carriage going out of here, Max. And of course, she came back to Windsor yesterday for the ceremony of lighting of the beacons and that was about 9:30 in the evening. So, that was pretty late.

Now speaking to people here in Windsor, no one frankly surprised that she need as day off and lots of warmth really and love and hopes that she's OK. Take a listen to what the people of Windsor had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)I suppose it is expected really. She has a lot going on. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I suppose is expected really at her age. I'm sure

she's got a whole lot going on I suppose after she had to go to everything else thing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel a bit sorry for her, really. So that she really wanted to be more available.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel very sorry for her because it can't be easy, and the fact that she can't walk very well. I've been disabled myself, I feel very sorry for her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think she's marvelous at 96 to actually get out on the balcony to do her little bit for the country. I think she's great. I love her to death.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STEWART: Yes, so there you have the people of Windsor, very pleased I think that people saw her yesterday, all those thousands of people that actually turned out on to the mile and were very pleased to see her on the balcony. But I also think that people will be pleased that she is hopefully having a day off, having a day of rest. And watching it all on TV -- Max.

BRUNHUBER: Good to see you there, Anna, didn't know you were there. I wasn't sure we had the signal just to clarify. But we know that Kate's here. And she's right in front of me. Why does today matter?

WILLIAMS: Today is really significant. We had a wonderful spectacular party yesterday, the big celebration of the armed forces and the Queen. But today is a celebration of her as a monarch and her faith and her effort, her duty and her determination to serve. It really is a day of celebrating her long service, 70 years of service, and which is why it will be very moving for her, very poignant that she can attend.

FOSTER: It's a beautiful shot of all these buses we've got behind you. This is where all the guests are coming in. It's a huge church on the inside. Just describe the atmosphere that all of these -- many of them public servant workers are going to experience inside.

WILLIAMS: Yes, is a huge church, it's going to be a giant celebration. This is a significant church for great moments of British history. I think most of us will think the most significant moment was perhaps the wedding of Charles and Diana that took place here. And these people have given so much -- have given so much service particularly during the hard days of COVID. They're going to be here being celebrated and having a great thank you.

The Queen thanked them during her television address, during the dark days of COVID. Now is the chance to be thanked as well. And there are people from all over the world, dignitaries from the Commonwealth, the governor generals, it's going to be a great celebration of both the Church of England and the Queen's faith and service.

[04:55:00] FOSTER: OK, and she is watching. So, I'm sure it's going to be a very enjoyable service for her. It's about her being Head of the Church of England as well today, so she can really express her faith. But she can do that, you know, she's there in presence, isn't she, in many ways. And thank you, Kate.

The Queen obviously the star of the show of all of this. Unfortunately, she won't be here today. And yesterday she was actually up staged by-to-some extent by one of her great grandchildren. Some great images coming out from Prince Louis as he stood next to the Queen. Really William and Kate's son really stealing the show. Clasped his ears as the roar of jets came overhead. You've got to remember that Louis is just four years old, isn't he, so for much of his life, he's you know, been in COVID conditions. So, he has never seen a big event like this, a huge experience for him. And he's become a social media star as well as a result of it. And young Charlotte as well alongside him also grabbing her ears. So that was a big moment.

And the Queen was actually talking to Louie as the planes were coming over to given the ultimate commentary really of the fly pass.

Thank you for joining me here outside St. Paul's. We are going to follow all of the events for the Queen's Jubilee today and over the next couple of days as well. But next we'll go to "NEW DAY" with Christine and Laura in New York.

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