Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Prince Of Wales Pays Tribute To The Late Queen, His "Grannie"; Queen's Funeral Will Be Monday, September 19th At Westminster Abby; Prince And Princess Of Wales And Duke And Duchess Of Sussex On Walkabout In Windsor. Aired 12-1p ET
Aired September 10, 2022 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:59:56]
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST (on camera): This is also why we have a flood watching effect for a lot of these counties, just because of how much rain is coming across this area that includes Panama City, Tallahassee, down through Tampa, and even Sarasota.
But two different systems here. You've also got this swirl here. That low pressure system across the Midwest, but it's fueling and bringing up a lot of that moisture from the Gulf of Mexico too. And that's what's bringing, Fred, a lot of the rain showers across the southeastern region.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): All right, Allison Chinchar, thanks so much.
Hello, again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
Britain's King Charles III has now been formally proclaimed a sovereign of the British monarchy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three chance for His Majesty the King.
Hip! Hip!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hooray!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hip! Hip!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hooray!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hip! Hip!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hooray!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: That was the king's guard giving the traditional cheer for the new monarch. Charles has already begun the business of being king, meeting today with the prime minister other politicians, and the archbishop of Canterbury.
Meantime, 1000s of people remain gathered outside royal addresses, including Buckingham Palace, trying to catch a sight of the new king on this momentous day. We've got full coverage of today's events. Scott McLean is at Windsor Castle. Isa Soares is in Balmoral Scotland. And Anna Stewart and Max Foster are at Buckingham Palace. Good to see all of you.
Max, you first. Moments ago, now, William, Prince of Wales, have put out a statement, paying tribute to the late queen. What did it say?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, it's deeply personal. He was very close to the queen, as well as the Princess of Wales Kate. And he refers to how Kate has given -- the queen gave guidance to Kate for 20 years. So, no that was since their wedding and 2011, but also at the time, they were together before that.
And William very much looked to the queen for all sorts of guidance for what will ultimately be his own future monarchy. It was very personal, it wasn't necessarily constitutional. The prince -- the king will be dealing with that.
But I was struck by this line, she was by my side, at my happiest moments, she was by my side, during my saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come but it will be some time before the reality of life without grannie will truly feel real.
So, that was really personal. And what he's talking about there about the saddest days of his life, of course, when he was informed at Balmoral that his mother had died, and he was under the care of the queen. And it was the queen that comforted him at that time. So, a deeply personal message there from the Prince of Wales.
And I expect you will see him at some point as well, because he's now ready to come out and start greeting the crowds in the same way, as we saw his father do yesterday.
WHITFIELD: And Max, a big mystery has been when will the queen be put to rest? And now we understand there is -- officially, we're learning -- CNN is learning a date. Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey, is the now scheduled funeral day just a little over a week from now.
How will that message be getting out to world leaders? How will the invitations be going out, Max? What customarily will be taking place now that there is officially a date?
FOSTER: Well, I just got off a call with the palace. And they're giving details for the next few days. But they're going to give more details about the funeral itself. Next week -- towards the end of next week. So, they didn't give us many specifics about the funeral. Although, it's pretty clear that heads of state will be invited. So, President Biden has already said he will be coming.
Also prime ministers from the realms, those are the countries like Canada that still have the queen as head of state, and also kings and queens and monarchs basically from all over the world. So, I think, this is going to be a blockbuster event in terms of high level people. I can't think of another state occasion in recent years or even decades, where you're going to have that level of people there. As you say, it's going to happen on the 19th of September, 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
We also learned that the queen's body will be lying in state in Westminster from this Wednesday from 10:00 Eastern Time. And I think that's going to be an extraordinary event because there will be a procession from Buckingham Palace where the coffin will be at that time, up to Westminster Hall.
And it will be followed, it'd be very slow, it will be silent, and it will be followed by members of the family. I think it's going to be very poignant.
But also poignant is once the coffin is in Westminster Hall, the public will have a chance to go in and pay their respects. And we're expecting, Fredricka, lines, miles and miles of lines of people having this opportunity to pay their respects to the Queen, who was so revered, of course.
But this is a moment of history and I think a lot of people are going to take them up on that one.
(CROSSTALK)
[12:05:00]
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FOSTER: But this -- we've been given lots of details. I will just say something about tomorrow, because we've also learned that the casket currently at Balmoral will be driven to Edinburgh tomorrow, in the morning, 5:00 a.m. your time, and it will rest at Holyroodhouse, which was the Queen's residence in Edinburgh before being taken to St. John's Cathedral, where a mini lying estate, if you like, will take place, and the service will take place there in the coming days.
WHITFIELD: So, Max, when you mentioned on Wednesday, she will lie in state, you know, family will have an opportunity and the general public, and you mentioned I mean, 1000s, 1000s, and 1000s of people will be lined up.
So, does this mean that it will span more than one day, possibly everyone cannot be accommodated, who would stand in line in one day?
FOSTER: I think it was about three days. And you're right. I don't think enough people will get a chance. I mean, just today, the crowds have been, you know, you can't move through this area. And they're just here to look at the flowers.
So, the opportunity to visit the coffin will be something else. There will be guidance listed on that. And they have arranged plans for, you know, a long line which would go over the bridge to South London and onwards. I think people are, you know, once they -- this announcement is out in the last few minutes, people will already starting to sort of camp out there because you don't want to -- if you -- if you want to be part of history, this is a guaranteed moment in history.
And you're not going to get a chance to be part of that unless you start queuing up in the next couple of days, I think.
WHITFIELD: Anna, let me go to you now, because, you know, while this is, you know, a period of mourning, it's also, you know, a turning of the page. And there is some celebration for the new King. It is official. You know, King Charles III now.
So, what are people expressing to you about, you know, how they are striking a balance of still mourning, celebrating the life of the queen, and now, looking at a new era of the monarchy?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, I certainly feel like in the last two to three days, we have seen a complete shift really in emotion. Because when the news first broke on Thursday, there was a sense of numbness of rawness, it was actually silence. We had hundreds not 1000s of people outside the palace gate at that time. But the more people that came, the quieter it got. And as those days have gone on, there have been tears, there has been real grief.
But yesterday, I believe, when it was King Charles's walkabout outside Buckingham Palace, it was a pivotal moment we saw people with hope, with anticipation, with joy, frankly, at the thought of a new chapter in this history of the monarchy.
And I think we saw that again today, actually. As King Charles left the proclamation, came down them out, the crowds were so thick and they waited there for hours.
And jubilant really big cheers. And it's been a really bittersweet feeling really we have had tears and we have had cheers, and it's really two sides of the same coin.
WHITFIELD: And Isa Soares, I mean, is there a way in which to gauge how the family -- how the royal family is, is handling all of this. Because it's a lot. It raise -- we've been talking about it's a lot for the king, but it really is a lot for the whole family.
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): After all, this is very much a family in mourning. And we saw that today. The -- really the mood here is very different from the one that Anna is just painted in Buckingham Palace. It's much more somber, much more muted, and we've seen that as people continue to make their way to Balmoral to pay their respects to the queen, because like Max has say, we know that the queen is expected to make her way to Edinburgh tomorrow.
But today, we did see the queen's children, the kings are the siblings: Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and really make their way to a private ceremony today here, private service to really pay honor to their mother. The church just down the road from here. They made their way back to Balmoral, they've been inside, of course, mainly, you know, the queen's siblings next to her since, of course, that news broke on Thursday.
And they took the time today Fredricka to look at the outpouring of love. All the tributes, the poems that have been written, the drawings from young children to really take it all in. And it was very moving indeed, seeing the family all together and really grieving. There was one moment where we saw Princess Eugenie, that's Prince Andrew's daughter, she shed a tear.
And in that moment, you saw the cameras captured from the back, just Prince Andrew embracing her. So, image there today, the family very much still in mourning, no doubt, thrilled, of course, that their brother is the new king.
SOARES (voice-over): But indeed this is something we're going to see throughout the next few days. A family grieving, a family deeply in mourning, and tomorrow we'll continue to see that as the casket leaves Balmoral, really a place of -- filled with so much love for the queen and makes its way to Edinburgh.
[12:10:10]
What I can tell you briefly on that -- on that move Fredricka, normally the journey will take about three hours, but sources here have been telling me, it's going to take much longer.
SOARES (on camera): Because they're going to pace themselves and allow people along the route to bow their heads to stop and pay respects as the casket moves from Balmoral all the way to Edinburgh in Scotland.
WHITFIELD: And Max, back to you. I wonder, you know, did the queen have a hand, you know, before her passing of how she would want to be celebrated?
Is this strictly protocol? What is planned all the days, you know, all that will be unfolding over the course of the days? Or is this her signature?
FOSTER: You know, this is a mystery, actually. She signed off on every single detail of London Bridge, which is the plan to, you know, outline her wedding -- her funeral. Every single detail of it was signed off by her ex -- you know, it goes on for hundreds and hundreds of pages.
The Prince Charles, as well, has also signed off on every single detail, but it's not ultimately signed off until it was signed off by the king after her death.
So, we don't know exactly what might have changed. But from what I've been briefed in the past and what I'm seeing unfold now, is exactly as the queen would have wanted it.
WHITFIELD: Oh, wow. That's really striking, really amazing. And I wonder, you know, in general, you know, Anna, what people are planning over the course of days now, now that they have some sort of calendar of events. When the funeral is, you know, that this Wednesday, they could stand in line if they want to and expect to stand in line a very long time to see her lying in state.
Have people -- I know businesses have, you know, closed on some of these days of mourning. But will there be plans? Or people expressing how they are, you know, going to reconfigure everything in their lives to make sure they pay respect to the queen?
STEWART: Well, to be honest, even hours before we got the official announcement that the queen had died, I was stood outside the gates of Buckingham Palace there with all sorts of people wondering what was going to happen in the coming days, asking each other for information, looking on the phone, people were desperate for information, because they very much want to be here to mark the different days.
I think the lying in state is something we will see hundreds of 1000s of people want to visit. For The Queen Mother, I think there was quite a surprise that some 200,000 people showed up to queue up to go into Westminster Hall. And you can only imagine how many more people will want to do that for the queen.
So, I expect that will be open for a long time. And businesses too will want to mark this in their own way. So I think we'll see this in the coming days.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks to all of you. And I'll check back with you, Isa, Anna, and Max. Thank you so much for now.
King Charles III, speaking earlier today at the formal proclamation ceremony. Let's watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: My lords, ladies, and gentlemen.
It is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved mother, the queen.
I know how deeply you, the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathize with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered. It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.
To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations, of which it is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.
My mother's reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.
I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.
In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the peoples of these islands, and of the Commonwealth realms and territories throughout the world.
[12:15:06]
In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties, I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments. In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.
I take this opportunity to confirm my willingness and intention to continue the tradition of surrendering the hereditary revenues, including the Crown Estate, to my government for the benefit of all, in return for the sovereign grant, which supports my official duties as head of state and head of nation.
And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life. I pray for the guidance and help of Almighty God.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: That was King Charles III, earlier today. Ad still to come, King Charles has been proclaimed Canada's new head of state. We'll have the details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:20:20]
WHITFIELD (voice-over): All right, welcome back.
I want to show you live pictures right now. You're looking at the two grandsons of the late Queen Elizabeth along with their wives. And now, the sons of King Charles III.
They're at Windsor Castle there. And they are now looking over all of the beautiful flowers that have been left for the memory of Queen Elizabeth II, just days now after her passing.
And now you've got the prince and princess of Wales, William, and Kate, along with Prince Harry and the Duchess of -- Meghan there. And they are now all looking through. And it's just earlier today, you had the sons of Queen Elizabeth and their children who were looking through the flowers, very intimately, leaning over reading the cards that have been left even tearfully reflecting on some of the beautiful notes that have been left in memory of Queen Elizabeth.
And all of this happening as we're also starting to learn more about the events that will take place over these 10 days of mourning, where the queen will lie in state on Wednesday. The family, of course, will be there and then the doors will be open for the masses. The public, who will be there to line up to see her lying in state.
And now, we also have officially a date of the funeral which will be Monday, September 19th.
Our Scott McLean is there at the gates of Windsor. So, Scott, what are you seeing there? Obviously, we see in the background behind the barricades, huge crowds, and now they are seeing the grandsons there, along with their wives, looking through the flowers and the cards.
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's right, Fredricka. I have to tell you, when these four stepped out of their vehicle, this is not something that anyone had expected. We were told initially that there would be a visit. We assume that the two working Royals, William and Kate, the prince and princess of Wales now would be here. We did not expect to see Harry and Meghan, and we certainly didn't expect to see the four of these together.
Of course, there has been a well-publicized rift within the family, between these two brothers, of course, Meghan, the --Sussex. And Harry, her husband, they live in California now, and they have made plenty of waves. And, you know, the plenty of people in this country believe that they've sort of been taking potshots at the royal family from afar.
But when I've spoken to people here since the queen's passing, they believe that perhaps this moment, perhaps the queen's death could be a moment of reconciliation between the brothers. That perhaps prompt some kind of a conversation.
Now, obviously, they're together for a photo op right now looking through these cards and looking at the flowers that have been left for Queen Elizabeth.
So, it may just be a photo opportunity, it may be something more. The official residence, the U.K. residence of Harry and Meghan is Frogmore Cottage, which is on the grounds of the Windsor Castle, a estate that's only about 600 yards or so from where -- from where Will and Kate, the prince and princess have just moved their family to.
In fact, just earlier this week on the same day that the queen passed away was their kid's first official day of school at their new school only about 15 minutes or so from here.
And as they're looking at these cards, and at these flowers, Fredricka, I have to tell you, I've done the same. I've read through some of them, and it's pretty remarkable. Some people have left full page letters. A lot of people have left little notes attached to the bouquets that they've dropped, you've had children.
Many of them are clearly written by children, some children have written pictures. One that stands out to me, in particular, is someone have had left two full cans of gin and tonic in honor of the -- in honor of the queen.
And most of them, there seems to be a common theme in a lot of these notes that they're going through and reading right now. And that is that they say thank you for your service. Thank you for your duty, thank you for your -- for carrying out your duties right until the end. The queen was undeniably seen as a unifying figure in this country and many of these very personal, very emotional cards and notes really reflect that as well. Of course, some also wish the new king well.
I should also point out here, Fredricka that if you had any doubt at all about just how important and just how central the monarchy is to this country.
[12:25:03]
This is a pretty good indication, because this was not an announced or advertised event that you're seeing here. In fact, they had tried their hardest to say very little. Of course, there is some logistical things that come with allowing the, you know this -- the heir to the throne to come and mingle with the public. And so, they had to set up these barricades about two hours ago.
But beyond that, the people who've been waiting here had no idea of who might actually be coming. Why they might be here, but they've waited around now for quite some time, hoping for a glimpse.
And as they sort of walked down the barricades here, this is called, The Long Walk. This is just outside the Cambridge gate of the -- of Windsor Castle. And you can see that there are people, I don't know maybe six or seven people deep just hoping to catch any kind of a glimpse of the Royals.
Of course, we saw King Charles, mingling with the crowd outside of Buckingham Palace yesterday. We saw Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, mingling with the crowd, outside Balmoral Castle in Scotland earlier today.
And obviously, these four are the official residents of Windsor Castle. So, it's not perhaps that surprising to them, to see them here.
Earlier today, and Max Foster mentioned this, Fredricka, there was an official statement put out by Kensington Palace, written by the Prince William. And I just want to read something that stood out to me in this note.
It said, I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all. And he goes on to promise that he will do whatever he can to honor her legacy by trying to support his father, the king, in any way that he can.
We're just going to try to move down here, if we can, Fredricka to try to get a closer look. We've been put in this press pen a moment. But if we can try to move down and see if we can get closer to try to here.
It's Harry and Meghan that are on this side of the barricade, to try to hear anything that they might be saying. Of course, we haven't even gotten any official word on their move -- actually. Let you see if we can get the camera in close. And let's see if we can hear anything. I'm just going to stop talking and put the microphone in if I can.
WHITFIELD: All right, we're going to try and listen in, Scott. Real quick.
So, if you just -- now, joining us again, the prince and princess of Wales, William and Kate there, have come out of Windsor Castle. They are interacting with the hundreds, seemingly of people who are there to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth.
It started out by the two brothers, Harry and William and their wives looking at the flowers and the cards that have been left. And now, they're actually interacting with the public. And we want to listen in to see if we can actually hear some of that interaction.
All right, we had some audio there for a moment, but you could hear -- I mean, oh, there we go.
You can hear there's some laughter. I mean, there are lots of smiles there that you can see in the crowd. You can see in Kate there as well, and touching her heart. And clearly they were very moved by the flowers and the notes that they just scanned right there at the gates.
Our royal correspondent and anchor Max Foster also with us again, as well as historian -- Kate, William.
So, Max to you, this was what we understand to be a very spontaneous event, at least none of us and the public didn't seem to know this was going to happen. But here we go with the two grandsons there and their wives.
This is pretty poignant.
FOSTER: Not that spontaneous, but obviously, unannounced because of the security concerns here.
WHITFIELD: You're right.
FOSTER: What I was surprised about, if I'm honest, is seeing the Sussex is there too. I mean this, that there's been so many seismic moments in terms of royal history over the last couple of days of course, but this is certainly one of them.
If you imagine the big rift in the royal family between the Sussexes and the then-Cambridges, was utterly defining and damaging and hugely upsetting to the queen. For us to see Megan and Harry there. Unite -- reunite with Kate and William is a huge moment. And hopefully, a sign of things to come and rifts being healed within the family.
[12:30:02]
And hopefully, a sign of things to come and riffs being healed within the family. I mean, it's utterly preoccupied the family, there was tension between Harry and Meghan and Charles. But that was resolved, I think, largely around the Jubilee when they met up.
But there was this ongoing tension between Harry and William, and we're seeing I don't know if that's resolved, but it's resolved enough to the extent where they're able to come out and appear in public together, this is an absolutely huge moment, they're putting their differences behind them.
And I think this will go down incredibly well with the public. Because whatever anyone says about the royal family, and who everyone is interested in, ultimately is the Queen that everyone revered. And I think this will be seen as a hugely respectful thing to do for Her Majesty, the light, Her Majesty. And it was something if she could see I'm sure would be massively warming and heartwarming for her.
WHITFIELD: Well, Max, just as you mentioned, while I use the word spontaneous, it was spontaneous to all of us watching, but everything is planned, you know, within the royal family. And so this clearly was very intentional, just as were the words of King Charles, who made mention of Harry and Meghan, in his speech, very intentional. So do you believe he is also setting the tone of perhaps a family being reunited?
FOSTER: I mean, this is them being reunited, isn't it, these pictures, it's just, you know, this is men coming back together, it's just can, you know, they fix it to the point where we see them all appear together, regularly. I mean, Harry, and Meghan, all along, have already said they would like to carry out some public duties in this new life they've had, but it was either in or out for William and Charles, you can't pick the bits you want to do, and then opt out or the others. Maybe there is a role for Harry and Meghan within the monarchy now going forward under King Charles.
I don't know what sort of conversations are going on there. But for them to come together for this, I think between William and Harry, they must have come to some sort of agreement here. And I think, for the people there, this is a real moment of history they're experiencing. What you cannot deny about Harry and Meghan is they've got so much charisma.
They are so incredibly good with the public. I've been out with them many times and you don't see any members of the royal family connecting with the crowds like these guys do. And that's a huge asset to the British monarchy, if they could bring that back in, I think that would be welcomed all rounds, you know, amongst the public and the Royals and indeed the Sussexes.
WHITFIELD: Of course. Well, just as we were trying to listen to the words being exchanged between the prince, princess of Wales and the crowd, we're going to try and do the same with the Sussexes now with the crowd, let's listen in.
Historian Kate Williams also with us now, so Kate, what are your impressions of this moment that is unfolding right before our eyes?
KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Well, just as Max was saying, what a historic moment, a moment that the crowd there will never forget. And, you know, Fred, I was so moved and I am so moved watching this, because it really reminds me of the last time we saw the brothers out there looking at flowers, which was in the sad days of 1997 in the aftermath of Diana's death, when they came out from Balmoral, and looked at the flowers that the people had left.
And William, of course, gave the statement earlier when he said that the Queen was with him and the saddest days of my life, which he was referring to the aftermath of Diana's tragic death. And really that poignant moment of these two little boys with their father, looking at the flowers and taking comfort, as much as it was possible for two children to do that there was so much sympathy for them and for the death of their mother.
And of course, we are another death, it's very sad that the Queen was 96. And I think it's very, very distressing for the family. But all this sympathy really is so heartening. And it's wonderful to see Harry and Meghan out there with William and Kate. And obviously this is really raising a lot of hopes, you know, some -- that perhaps there could be as much we're saying, Harry and Meghan very much wanted to do Commonwealth tours for the royal family.
And I do have to say we were discussing earlier, Fred, that the Commonwealth it's a difficult time for the Commonwealth. There may be fragmentation and then moving away from it and world tours have not been done very well this year, they've not been popular. I do think that Harry and Meghan on the Commonwealth tour would be a great benefit for the royal family if that is to happen.
[12:35:08]
So if Harry and Meghan were to be able to do that, and I think that this moment, William and Harry coming together really is so heartening and shows how much they adored the Queen, she was their beloved grandma, she was the queen to the rest of us. But to them, she was their beloved, beloved grandma who was there for them when their mother died, and they were pitched into this terrible bereavement.
And we really see how much the crowd there love the cane -- love the Princes and Princess of Wales, excuse me. And they really love the Sussexes. That star power, that charisma, the, you know, this really, you know, this real connection that Harry and Meghan have that -- we see Kate there chatting to the children, bending down to them.
And that really, if we see that into the monarchy will be really exciting. There have been difficult times, and so much criticism, even criticism over the last couple of days in this period of mourning, of Harry and Meghan for what they did and what they didn't do. I hope that as Charles was really gesturing to, in his speech to the nation last night, there's going to be, you know, a sense that and understanding that the royal family are coming together here.
And there's the Prince and Princess of Wales, out meeting the people, the people of whom this is poignant for William, because now he is next in line to the throne. His father is clearly he is next in line, and not to jump too far. But there is one day in which he will be doing this. And he will be doing this as King and the role that's ahead of them, this great role of king and queen.
WHITFIELD: Yes. And, you know, I mean, Kate, there was that little glimmer of hope. Remember when Harry and William did come together for the passing of Prince Philip. But there is something different here because they have their spouses with them. And this is, as we mentioned earlier, this juxtaposition of a mourning for the loss, the death, the passing of the Queen.
And now the proclamation of, you know, King Charles III, this feels different. I mean, this, this is a period of mourning, but look at the smiles, Kate, I mean look at, you know, the handling of the flowers, the proximity, I mean they are, you know, mano-a-mano. They are, you know, hand in hand with people here. And they're smiling and they're taking the time to listen to what people have to say.
WILLIAMS: Yes, there's so much joy here. There's so much joy. It's a sad time. But there's so much celebration for this life so well lived as Prince Charles was saying, a life of service and dedication and so much fun and so much enjoyment. You know the Queen, when we thought she might have been jumping out of a helicopter in the London Olympics in 2012. She was chatting with Paddington earlier this year.
WHITFIELD: Kate, I'm sorry to interrupt but I understand our audio might be a little bit more crisp right now. So we're trying to listen in to what people were saying and then want to come back to you.
Someone apparently yelled out, I love you, Kate. And, look, the pooch is there too, Kate. I love how people are very polite about waiting their turn, you know, with their hands extended. I can only imagine so many other settings where there would be such a crush, you know, everyone competing to get, you know, FaceTime with the Prince and Princess here and, you know, getting their hand and theirs.
But, you know, this is -- these are memories that many of these people young and seasoned, I like to say, are going to remember forever. I mean forever that they had this moment here on these days of mourning, and with the promise of the new monarchy, Kate.
WILLIAMS: This is such a historic moment. Max was saying that they were aware of this. But of course the crowd here had no idea. They thought there might be a visit. But it could have been from anyone and they were they got this fantastic moment. And there's the Princess -- Prince and Princess of Wales. Kate there, she said we've heard -- comments we've heard sources saying that she's aware of the history and wants to remake the role herself.
And we know how much childhood means to Kate. Early childhood education and how much she's focusing on the children here really gives me a hint of what sort of role she's going to carve out for herself as Princess of Wales, while I'm really advocating for early childhood and childhood experiences, and how thrilling for the children here just on a Saturday afternoon in Windsor. People in Windsor are very familiar with the monarch and the royal family. They see -- used to see the Queen out riding all the time, everyone in Windsor you'd ask had seen the Queen out on her horse, but not so much William and Kate and certainly not so much Harry and Meghan. So this really is thrilling for people. It's a moment of history.
This is British history in the future. People will ask where were you at this moment and what did you see and all those children are going to be at school on Monday morning writing their report for the teacher. It's something they're never going to forget. And I have to say that's one worthy well behaved dog --
[12:40:06]
WHITFIELD: Yes, it sure is.
WILLIAMS: I'm pretty impressed. And I think there's a real delight there in the people. And I think that William and Kate and Harry and Meghan and Charles have taken such solace from this outpouring of sympathy for in Britain and across the world. Harry had a great relationship with the Queen. He used to buy her joke presents all kinds of quite naughty joke presents, and we know that she bought Archie a waffle maker last year and William and Kate, they're also devoted to the Queen as well so she's in a great loss in their lives.
But all this sympathy here is really so heartening for them and really makes us look forward to commemorating and celebrating the Queen's life over the next few days.
WHITFIELD: And just watching that moment of the Prince of Wales, William there, who took the card from that little girl in green, and he took the time to read the card aloud it seems and I guess he was thanking her because she just kind of shrugged her shoulders and was like, it's OK, you know, like, you're welcome. I mean, these are precious moments. And Max, I mean, while as we mentioned earlier, this seems spontaneous.
The people who gathered there probably did not expect this moment to happen but they are poised and ready and they're taking advantage of the opportunity and the Prince and Princess seems so at ease with all this. Clearly they've had a lot of practice but they really are kind of, you know, drinking this all in.
FOSTER: Well, while you were talking to Kate, I just wanted to know how this came about. So I contacted a source on, well, in William side basically. And I'm told that the Prince of Wales, William, invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and the Princess of Wales earlier. So William reached out to Harry and Meghan to come on this walk about.
And I think this is huge because, you know, William so upset by everything that's happened following the Oprah interview, you know, some of the slights that he felt that were made against the monarchy basically by the Sussexes and the ongoing sort of comments they've made about their life in the royal family. He's been really hurt by that and the Sussexes have also been very hurt by what's happened on the other side, haven't they?
But, you know, for them to reach out like this and for the Sussex is also to agree to do it, is very difficult for everyone involved here. But they are doing it in the name of the Queen, I think, and in the name of duty.
WHITFIELD: Oh, Max, if I can take a pause real quick we're a little closer and we're going to see if we can listen in to what the Prince is saying.
[12:45:39]
While it is very difficult to hear the words, clearly this is a sound of happiness.
And lots of laughter, people where there, you know, in large numbers standing outside the gates there at Windsor Castle, they've got flowers, bringing those flowers presumably for the passing of Queen Elizabeth but now handing many of those flowers to the Prince and Princess of Wales there. And also the Sussexes are on the other side of that aisle there, this long walk as they call it. But people are exuberant, they're excited.
And it's just beautiful to hear the story from Max Foster from his sources telling, telling us now that this was Prince William's idea to invite Harry and Meghan to accompany them there as they left Windsor Castle. And they have now descended on this gigantic crowd, all there in both mourning, of the passing of Queen Elizabeth and also in celebration of the new King, King Charles III.
Our Paula Newton is in Commonwealth of Canada and King Charles, leading the monarchy there as well. So, Paula from afar, you know, tell us, give us an idea of what the reception has been like there in Canada, clearly a time of mourning for Queen Elizabeth's passing. But with the official proclamation of King Charles III today, what is the sentiment there?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that just happened a little while ago, again, formally what happens in Canada and really in 14 realms besides Britain, around the world, the Queen was the monarch. Now, King Charles is the monarch and that was proclaimed just a few hours ago a 21 gun salute, again, a formality but a very important one. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was there along with the Governor General Mary Simon.
I want to point out though, Fred, that what we're seeing right now in Britain, when we're seeing that walk about by the Royal Family is just as important outside of Britain right now as to what you're seeing with the crowds there. The reason is, there is so much concern about the continuity of this monarchy going into those 14 realms outside of the U.K. There is a streak of republicanism that exists here in Canada as well. And seeing that kind of, shall we say, that brand that the royal family has tried to get out there, I know there is a lot of affection, starting principally with the Queen.
And people in Canada will see this as a mark of respect to the Queen. And the Queen has spoken, had spoken so often about Canada being the second home to the entire royal family. She visited here more than any other country, 22 times. And I will note, Fred, as well, Prince Harry, the, you know, the Sussexes, when they had that rift of the royal family and first moved away from Britain, they came here to Canada and took refuge in the West Coast.
There was some discussion which was not entertained by either the Government of Canada or the royal household in Britain, that they could use Canada as kind of a safe space where they could still carry out their royal duties in one of the Queen's realms, but still get their privacy and live the kind of life that they wanted, that just didn't work out.
But for that reason, and it was a reason that the Sussexes promoted that and tried to advocate for that in the beginning because they knew how the Queen felt about Canada and they themselves had been so welcomed here as have been William and Kate. Again, so much is riding on King Charles III and how he continued to keep that continuity, the affection for the royal family in places like Canada and obviously in places like Australia as well where the Republican streak runs much stronger than it does here in Canada.
Look everything falling into place ceremonially. But in terms of optics, Fred, so very important what we're seeing now in Britain. And believe me, everyone here in Canada also taking note.
WHITFIELD: Yes, I'm so glad you reminded us of that because I actually forgot that little sliver, you know, of Harry and Meghan and their pursuits of Canada and how thing that dynamic changed. California would now be their place of residence. But this message of continuity while it's so important for the monarchy at the same time, I guess there has been an expectation that there would be also some modernization of the monarchy and whether King Charles III might promise that. What is the feeling there?
[12:50:18]
NEWTON: But I think, I think that's why the images that you're seeing now, even the next generation is so important. And I know that certainly King Charles and Queen Consort have been so careful even in coming here to Canada, they've been here several times as a couple. And they really wanted to open up to Canada in that symbol, that, look, this is the way we get continuity in the monarchy. And they really wanted to feel that affection from the country here to kind of test the waters, if you will.
You know, Fred, I don't have to tell you about, you know, the real difficult relationship that indigenous peoples have had with the crown of going back centuries. Some indigenous leaders who are willing to accept King Charles, others say no, that that is the break. Now that the Queen is gone, that it is time for a new start, even here in Canada.
I can't tell you that that discussion has gotten underway in any stretch of the imagination right now. But it is something that the royal family in Britain, and King Charles will be worried about what you're seeing now the next generation, it is important to what happens in the coming years with the monarchy in places like Canada.
WHITFIELD: Well, perhaps what has unfolded today is symbolic of a sense of modernization that has invited a bit of spontaneity. Our Max Foster back with us with a little bit more on how this came to be while it may have been planned, that the Prince and Princess of Wales were going to be here at the gates of Windsor, you've got more on how he kind of changed things a bit by being spontaneous and inviting his brother.
FOSTER: I just want to give you, I mean, the context of this extraordinary moment, I mean, I don't think the view is lost on the viewers is it everyone knows about this rift between Meghan and Harry and William and Kate, and we've seen them come together. And this is a huge significance to so many different types of people. But the picture we're building up is that this was a planned walk about for the Prince and Princess of Wales, where they would come out and view the flowers.
I'm not sure whether the walk about this part of it was always part of the process. But I'm sure that you know, it's an actual thing for the couples to go and speak to people. Prince William, Prince of Wales decided today to invite the Sussexes along, they live very close to each other on the Windsor estate.
And I'm told that he asked them just shortly before the walk about and talking, if not minutes, then you know, around an hour or something like that. So he reaching out in that way is interesting, but also the fact that Sussexes dropped everything to do it. So I think this speaks to both sides. And, you know, a bit of a breakthrough for both sides to agree to doing this.
WHITFIELD: Yes, a willingness --
FOSTER: -- reached out initially.
WHITFIELD: Yes, yes. Both perhaps --
FOSTER: I mean it's pretty incredible.
WHITFIELD: -- a willingness and an eagerness, right? Scott McLean is there at Windsor. So Scott, what are you able to hear? I mean, we can see people talking, but I would love to know what people were saying exactly. Can you hear?
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (INAUDIBLE) I couldn't hear any, to be honest, just thank you for coming. Where are you from?
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy, but of course, it's hard to hear you right now. So we're going to try and clear up that signal and try it again. Kate Williams is back with us now. I mean, your thoughts now that we're hearing a bit of the backstory from Max Foster's reporting of how the Prince and Princess of Wales did have this planned walk about or at least something like it, and then Prince William would invite his brother and Meghan, the Sussexes.
WILLIAMS: What a moving event. This is such a wonderful thing to see, so historic. There's Meghan shaking hands. I mean, they've got so many flowers, I didn't really know how their aides are going to carry them. All they knew was Laurie (ph) I think. And the fact that William and Kate invited them and that Harry and Meghan dropped everything as Max was saying, obviously dropped everything that last minute to come out there and meet the people and speak to people and really to show this united front.
And when we think of when the king -- when the Queen's father, when he came to the throne, the family, his two daughters who were very young at the time, backed him up, they came to the -- Elizabeth came to the coronation, they were out there supporting him. And this really shows how important it is that Harry and Meghan see. And William and Kate see that they're really keen to get out there and both show to the public how much they're grateful for all these well wishes, but also to support the King.
And really, it's a tough transition. There's a lot of support for Charles. But it's a tough transition that they're out there supporting him as well. And I'm really very moved just as I was saying the last time we saw William and Harry with flowers was the terrible moments are the death of their -- death of their beloved mother Diana. And here they are. It's not called celebratory, it's a sad death but it's a life -- it's a long life.
[12:55:10]
And I am -- also they moved that -- very grateful, so grateful that we are out of the COVID pandemic here in Britain, because Prince Philip died during that, had the Queen sadly passed during the COVID pandemic, this wouldn't have been possible, this expression of love from the people is expression of emotion that the brothers coming together, it will be all different bubbles.
So I really do give thanks for that, that we're no longer in COVID that all these people are out there celebrating. And we're seeing this, it's real coming together of Harry and Meghan, which I think it's not going to be the -- we've got days of mourning to come, the funeral. It's not going to be the first time.
It's clear that Harry and Meghan are not going back to California anytime soon. They are staying here to express their sympathy with the crowds, to express the support for the family. And I do expect to see a lot more moments of coming together much more. And I really am very moved by it.
WHITFIELD: And I mean, it was so somber, right, of course outside of Windsor gate when we were looking earlier at the flowers and people. And now this is a feeling of like jubilance. Max Foster back with us, you're there at Buckingham Palace, I mean, are you learning any more information? I mean, you've had great reporting on how this came to be. But we've given you a pause to talk a little bit, maybe you have some more information you want to share.
FOSTER: I just think it's fascinating. I mean, this is, you know, on one level, this is just a typical walkabout that this is the biggest eruption in the royal family that we've seen in modern royalty. And the fact that William reached out to Harry, I presume, was Harry, he called over there at Windsor. And Harry agreed to -- and Megan agreed to do this is just a massive breakthrough. And everyone is deeply excited about if I'm really honest. I mean, no one's happy about this rift, are they, no one benefits from this rift. It takes away from the monarchy. It takes away from the Sussexes.
It undermines everyone involved, and it's just makes people miserable. So I think that, you know, in the name of the Queen, they come together, which is also quite moving, isn't it that this happens on the Queen's death. And it's the ultimate tribute, I think, not the ultimate tribute, but it's a great tribute to the late Queen. I also think it's something that King Charles will be looking on, very warmly as well, he, you know, of course, he wants his sons to get on. I mean, everyone wants their kids to get on, right?
And we only and this was arranged between the two sides. I don't know, Charles even knew about this before they appeared --
WHITFIELD: That's what I was going to ask you. Yes.
FOSTER: -- William and Kate were about to walk out.
WHITFIELD: I'm wondering, is this strictly a brother's instincts, William reaching out to Harry? Or is this also a brother's instincts that is met with the new responsibility, as you know, print -- and that's a very nice embrace there with Meghan and one of the crowd members there. Does this also, I guess, give him a little bit more heft that he's got this Prince of Wales title that he feels like I, you know, can do this on my own as a brother. And I know that this is good for country. Do you think that kind of calculus went into this? Or was it strictly just an instinct by brother?
FOSTER: You prompted me to speak to my King sources now, so I'll do that. But I don't know. I think we're in the realms of speculation now. But knowing William, he's a very assertive guy, he makes his own decisions. He does what he wants to do. And the Sussex is the same. I think he would have reached out in the on the assumption, of course, that the king would love to see this.
And I'm sure, I mean, he's caught up in audiences with, you know, with, you know, church leaders and ministers as well. I don't know if you'd even be contactable if I'm honest. If it was if it was organized less than an hour before, I think and Harry agreed to it, they would have just gone for it. I'm sure.
WHITFIELD: Yes. Also a world historian, Sally Bedell Smith is with us. Is that correct? She's still with us, or has she joined us now? OK, good. So I'm going to bring you into the fold too, Sally, because, as I mentioned earlier, we went from a rather somber setting there outside of Windsor gates, to now this jubilance as a result of these two brothers and their wives coming together after, you know, the very well documented a rifts that have taken place. And now this coming together all at the invitation of the Prince of Wales, William, what are your impressions?
[12:59:34] SALLY BEDELL SMITH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I think Prince -- I think King Charles really opened the door in his speech when he not only talked about a King William the Prince of Wales, but he also extended his love to Harry and Meghan, who, as they make their life overseas, I mean, somebody might say, well, he's saying goodbye to them, but an event is, I mean, it really is or may well have been the kind of olive branch that William in some wisdom decided to take advantage of because it was Harry who very recently had been complaining that, you know, there were -- there were lies that William had crossed that were unacceptable.
