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King Charles III Formally Proclaimed U.K.'s New Monarch; Prince And Princess Of Wales And Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Make Surprise Walkabout In Windsor; King Charles Pledges To Follow The Inspiring Example Of His Mother; President Biden Plans To Attend Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral; Biden Expected To Deliver Remarks At Pentagon On Sept. 11; New York Declares State Of Emergency Over Poliovirus; King Charles To Become Australia's Head Of State. Aired 1-2p ET

Aired September 10, 2022 - 13:00   ET

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

[13:00:00]

SALLY BEDELL SMITH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice over): 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 and 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.

And I think it was -- it was really up to Charles to be, you know, as the king to sort of set a -- set a standard for being the bigger person, that's the sort of thing that William would have done.

And just sort of put any notion of ego in one's pocket. I think William, you know, learned many lessons from his grandmother. And one of those lessons is a sort of level of humility and modesty and a willingness to bridge the -- bridge the rift. And so, I think it speaks exceedingly well of William, in effect for perhaps taking a cue from his father and moving it one step further.

I mean, we now have a situation where the new king is, is reaffirming his belief and tradition. And it's turning into a sort of the hope, a sort of healing within the family to see the four of them raid as they are used sort of reminded of what was called at the very beginning of that (INAUDIBLE) and, you know, I mean, I've felt for the last two years that Harry and Meghan missed a terrible opportunity by leaving the royal family.

They had so many things they could do, and really, in a sense Charles needs them more than ever. And you know, who knows nothing is ever -- obviously, some hurts, there have been -- there's been a lot of hurt and a lot of mutual mistrust. But, you know, no one can perhaps with this moment be enough to think that this could be some more (INAUDIBLE) healing.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Yes, Sally, your words are so poignant. But I got to say these pictures were speaking louder than anything. We did at least get to see, you know, William bright before he gets into the car. He actually -- you can hear him say thank you. And you can hear these squeals of just exuberance there as the cars have now pulled off. And the Prince and Princess of Wales in the vehicle as well as the Sussex is after that very spontaneous moment.

Max Foster learning from his sources that it was Prince William's idea to reach out to Prince Harry and say join me on this walkabout and they exited the gates there of Windsor Castle and then they went down the long walk here shaking hands, grabbing flowers, taking the time to listen to the words of the -- so many people who have lined up there and it went from a very somber atmosphere to now -- I don't have a better word than to say jubilance because it has been very jubilant.

And Sally, that was -- all of your remarks are really remarkable. In particularly that King Charles III in his remarks making mention of Prince Harry and Meghan that he probably gave the green light, help nudge what we now know according to Max's reporting, Prince William to extend the olive branch and invite his brother and wife here. We're going to reset right now at the top of the hour.

Hello to everyone. You're looking at some of the pictures earlier of Prince William and Kate, the now Prince and Princess of Wales, emerging there from Wales -- from the gates there and then going down the long walk there at Windsor and talking to people, being very engaged in what everyone had to say seemingly and then becoming so comfortable after the handshakes, even collecting flowers.

A lot of the flowers that were probably intended for the queen and her passing. So, I've got a wonderful team of folks that are with me on this day that Britain's King Charles is formally named Sovereign of the British Monarchy. The proclamation made in an ancient ceremony seen on television for the first time ever today. And in his address, the new king acknowledged the very big job that he has ahead of him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING CHARLES III, BRITAIN'S NEW MONARCH: I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.

[13:05:04]

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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Now, King Charles III in the front row there, all the former prime ministers. Our correspondents with us, Anna Stewart and Max Foster, they are at Buckingham Palace. So glad to be back with us after -- I mean, that was a heck of an hour, wasn't it? I mean, just what a beautiful display of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Sussex is coming together there at Windsor Castle. And, you know, these ended up not being moments of condolence, but instead, I mean, almost like a welcome home, wasn't it? I mean, Max, tell us more about how this came together.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I was expecting a walkabout from the Prince and Princess of Wales today is the appropriate timing for it really allowing the king to have the limelight yesterday, and then gradually introducing other members of the family. So, I was expecting them to come out today and look at flowers, I was expecting it to be in Windsor because that's where they're living at the moment.

My understanding is that shortly before this moment, I mean, maybe just an hour before, Prince William reached out to the Sussexes presumably via Prince Harry and ask them to join Kate and William on this -- to go and see the flowers, the tributes laid for their dear grandmother, both of them incredibly close to the queen together. And to the Sussexes' credit, they agreed.

They've all put their differences behind them in the name of the queen. And I think if the queen saw this, she would be utterly heartened. And, you know, this is a moment that may bring these two couples together and could mean that going forward. The Sussexes are back in the family fold properly. I mean, they've decided that they don't want full time royal roles. But at the time, they said they would like to carry out some royal duties.

Harry was brought up, you know, in that spirit and he's a military guy, you know, the queen, and now the king were his bosses, you know, this is something that he wants to do. But you know, the Cambridge is their view was that you -- you're all in or you're all out. And that was a -- that was the riff that developed and it got more and more sensitive, culminating, of course, in the Oprah interview.

And we did wonder whether or not, you know, they would ever be seen in the same room together. But it was the queen's death that brought them together. And I think that that, you know, is fitting and it's, you know, they're talking to each other as well. I mean, this is a pretty massive moment, not just you know, because it's a family and it's a family rift and they're very high-profile people. This was undermining the British monarchy, this rift.

But also undermining the Sussexes in many ways, as well. So hopefully, if they can come together, find some common ground. I think everyone involved would benefit, including everyone watching. I mean, no one likes to see this sort of upset, do they, in a family?

WHITFIELD: Oh, I mean, this is so uplifting. And I mean, Anna, a lot of news has come out of today, you know, the bringing together of these brothers and their spouses and perhaps, you know, this rift, this divide now being reduced. And then of course, we've got a date now for the funeral. There is the viewing that will take place. Run through all of the highlights of today.

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: I will but first of all, I would just note that there are a huge cheers going on behind us. I'm pretty sure -- what do you think that is? I believe this is the car carrying perhaps King Charles and keeping an eye on the Royal Standard to see whether it falls. There is certainly someone processing around Buckingham Palace right now. For lots of people who have been stood out here for hours just hoping I think for anything to happen at this stage.

Lots of cheers here. Now you're absolutely right. We've had a lot of information in the last hour. But I think for the public here particularly they will be very pleased to hear there is a plan now that has been published. They know what they can do in the coming days. Now, a lot of the next few days will involve where is the queen's coffin taken? So, tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in the U.K., it will be moving from Balmoral to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh by road.

Now, this is probably going to be quite an emotional time I would say for the royal family. The members that are still there because essentially this is when the queen's coffin will be leaving their private mourning. So their mother, their grandmother, their great grandmother will really then at this stage, enter into the sphere of public mourning.

[13:10:02]

Now on Monday the coffin will then be moving to St. Giles' Cathedral also an Edinburgh. That's where it will lie in rest until Tuesday. When it travels to London by air and it will be coming back here to Buckingham Palace. Now on Wednesday, that's when the coffin moves from here to Westminster Hall. Now, this is a big date, I would say in the public's diary, because this is when the lying in state begins in Westminster Hall.

So you can expect I think queues to form probably even before that date. I think when we look back at the queen mother, we saw some 200,000 people queuing up to see the coffins. So, I can only expect this will be even bigger than that. And the coffin will remain there until the day of the state funeral, as you said, that is Monday, the 19th of September. And of course, we will have a big procession for the coffin going into Westminster Abbey.

And after that the coffin processes once again one more time to Wellington Arch, before it is taken to Windsor where the final resting place will be at St. George's Chapel.

WHITFIELD: And then, Max, I know you mentioned earlier, you got to a check on your king sources. Maybe we've given you enough time. But you heard a historian, Sally Vidal Smith who says she felt like King Charles III gave the green light, you know, to Prince William, by mentioning Harry and Meghan in his speech earlier today. Is there anything official coming from sources that you have?

FOSTER: No, I think he's been busy. I mean, we just didn't go past, he's got endless meetings today. There's so many things he has to tick off to continue with his reign. You know, that big moment this morning, the session counsel was obviously part of that. He's got endless meetings today. I don't know, who knows if they managed to get through to him. I just think the assumption would have been if they couldn't get through to him, he would have been happy with what he saw.

But this is -- I mean, what was -- I think, for me, you know, it's been so solemn and, you know, weight is heavy on the British nation right now. And that was a lighter, positive moment to come out of this. And, you know, these positive things do often come out of tragedy. So thankfully, we were given a moment to smile today.

WHITFIELD: We really were. I think we were all smiling with that. And just seeing the exuberance of all of the folks the surprise of people lined up there with their flowers, presumably there to hopefully leave their flowers for Queen Elizabeth and in turn, being able to hand the flowers to the prince Princess and the Sussexes. And just the glee that I think we all felt it was transmitted everywhere.

All right, Max Foster, Anna Stewart, thank you so much. We're going to check back with you. And back with us now. Sally Bedell Smith and Kate Williams. So, you've been watching these pictures. Has it all sunken in a different way? Do you have a new perspective based on what you saw, Kate?

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Well, I'm so hopeful now. I've always you know, I love Harry and Meghan. And I was really -- it was really sad when they left the royal family. You know, they have so much to give and the -- I do think that the half in, half out will, that that idea could have been tested, could have been experimented with tours and assisting in that sense. So, I am hopeful.

And I really feel very heartened by what we saw today. Harry and Meghan, William and Kate all walking around together. I mean, they look like the best of friends. And all, you know, jumped in the same car. You know, when -- in the early days of the -- after Harry and Meghan's marriage, we call them the Fab Four. There was a fantastic picture captured by a member of the public when they were on their way to church in Sandringham and it was the Fab Four.

And here they are being the Fab Four again. And I think it shows what power they have as a four. They really are a star power. And if Charles can, he would do very well, to encourage this to -- this kinds of -- harness Harry and Meghan starpower, bring it in with the princess and Princess of Wales. And that I think, will really give him the boost that he is going to need when the honeymoon period fades.

It really was so moving to see them out there celebrating their grandmother really out there saying to the crowds, thank you. And I really -- it's such a moving event. And so, just as Max was saying, it's a moment of lightness. It's been a tough few days. And this is really a moment of lightness and coming together and a family with each other reminding us this is a -- this is the firm, these are the Royals and it's also a family, whatever it is that they've been through.

WHITFIELD: And Sally, I mean, I don't want to get too far ahead while you mentioned, you know, King Charles may have opened the door to this kind of moment. Do you see that what we saw on display with this, you know, Fab Four, you know, as Kate puts it, do you see that potentially there might be some new duties or assignments or willingness or adaptations of how these four will be coming together representing the monarchy?

SMITH: Well, I think there would be so many positive benefits. I remember talking to advisors for Harry and Meghan in the early days and one of them in particular had worked very closely with the queen about setting Harry and Meghan up with the commonwealth universities and the other commonwealth portfolio that they were given.

[13:15:07]

And there's really nobody else who's doing that which I mean, I -- I've always thought that would have been enormous potential for serve as the -- for the two of them on behalf of the monarch case, it would be Charles. And you sort of have to remember that the queen has been about reconciliation in so many ways throughout her long reign. Whether it was working behind the scenes and using her power for South Africa and Nelson Mandela.

Whether it was going to Germany and going to Russia and going to -- particularly going to Ireland. So, the spirit of reconciliation was really something that was identifiable in her. And if this -- if there was some -- I mean, people have talked about the sort of magical power is up at Balmoral and if she, you know, if her dying there, and they're coming together in a rather hurried way and -- but at least they were under the same roof on that night after her death.

And well, you know, maybe in the fullness of time, we'll know what was talked about there or, you know, what transpired in the end the aftermath of Charles's speech, but I do think that -- and forgiveness was something that the -- and tolerance were to values and also the queen embodied, and grace and humility, and modesty. And all those, you know, all those values, I think, could be applied.

If there were going to be reconciliation, I think most people would absolutely welcome that. And harsh words can always be put aside.

WHITFIELD: Yes. I mean, earlier, we were straining so hard just to hear what, you know, what was being said, between the well wishers out there and, you know, the prince, princess or Sussexes. And we do want you to listen now to one of the well wishers at Windsor Castle had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think that Charles can sort of pull the country together?

MILES ROSSITER, WINDSOR RESIDENT: A hundred percent. I think look, he's been -- I think, given the fact that he's had the time to solidify his style of leadership, I think even more so now. I think -- I think he's probably most ready for it in the last 15 years than he -- than he probably wasn't as his younger years. I think it was too much because of the dire situation and the hangover from that situation where I think it's a lot more palatable, especially for the nation, then to see him in that -- in that life.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: So, I wonder, you know, Kate, a lot of people are kind of assessing, you know, how prepared, you know, King Charles has been. We know that his entire life, he has been groomed for this moment. But I wonder how much he was preparing for the passing of his mom and for his duties to then kick in?

WILLIAMS: Yes, well, as you say, Fred, you know, this has been, he's been waiting to be king, it's our longest serving heir to the throne, the oldest person ever to come to the throne. He has been Prince of Wales for a very long time. But within that there's this very complicated division, when you're (INAUDIBLE) waiting. On one hand, you want to plan what you'll do for the job when you have it. But on the other hand, that's when you'll have lost your most beloved parent.

WHITFIELD: Right.

WILLIAMS: So although Charles is much more prepared perhaps than the queen was who had no idea that her father was so Ill. Didn't know he was going to die and was really very shocked when she heard that he was dead and she was queen. Charles had much more preparation, the queen has been -- her health has been declining, particularly over the past year. But at the same time, you can't quite start really putting your seal on things until you become king.

We were just discussing how the plans for the funeral really weren't confirmed, signed, sealed, until Charles as king had signed them. And I think now what we're going to see very quickly, is Charles really organizing what he's going to do with his monarch. It -- he talked in his speech about discharging his duties during the time he has left on earth. And I think, you know, his reign is not going to be as long as mother's, it's going to be shorter.

So, I think he will move quite quickly in terms of with his showing what kind of monarch he's going to be. What kinds of changes he's going to make. And really, I think those changes are both going to be within what the monarchy does, the demands they made upon it particularly with the -- perhaps commonwealth changing countries becoming republics that are currently have the monarch as head of state.

But also with what's going to happen within the family. And I think, just as Sally was saying, his message to Harry and Meghan at the end of his address to the nation -- vital address to the nation when his mother had died.

[13:20:06]

He talked about how he and Meghan and I think that really wasn't signal that this is the unity he wants. And also there has been a lot of media criticism of Harry and Meghan for really nothing -- things that other roles aren't criticized for, they've been very, you know, very criticized, very singled out. I think he really was saying here, please, let's dial down the criticism. We are the united family.

And I -- Charles he's really I think, his first few days, his monarchy, hasn't been in the job very long, but so far it's very successful.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Words may have worked. I mean, it resonated quickly. Thanks to both of you ladies. Really appreciate it. Sally Bedell Smith, Kate Williams, thank you so much.

SMITH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So, over the course of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth met more than a dozen sitting U.S. presidents. A look at those unique relationships and our continuing special coverage. We'll continue in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:25:08]

WHITFIELD: Across the United Kingdom gun salutes for King Charles III ringing out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Twenty-one gun salutes began in the four countries that make up the island country for claiming the new monarch of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Cardiff Castle in Wales, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and at the Tower of London in Hyde Park in England.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: While celebrating the new king, it is also a moment to remember the late queen and her historic reign. Queen Elizabeth II met 12 sitting U.S. presidents during her 70-year reign. CNN's Max Foster reports now on the special relationships with the world's longest- serving monarch developed with America's leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER (voice over): The special relationship or are a dozen special relationships.

RONALD REAGAN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Ladies and gentlemen, to her majesty, the queen.

FOSTER: Queen Elizabeth met every sitting U.S. president during her reign, except Lyndon B. Johnson. She also met President Harry Truman in 1951, when she was still a princess.

Joe Biden was the 12th and the last president to have the honor during her reign, and the first she would meet without her husband, Prince Philip by her side.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were welcomed at the White House by the first lady at the beginning of a memorable visit to the nation.

FOSTER: Starting with Dwight Eisenhower in 1957, Britain's monarch saw her fair share of administrative change, and the conversations invariably remain private.

PRINCE EDWARD, EARL OF WESSEX: People really do respect the fact that this is a -- this is a genuinely private off-the-record conversation. So they really can talk about things and get to the heart of things in a very genuine fashion because they know it's not going to come out.

FOSTER: Does it ever let slip to you in any way?

(CROSSTALK)

EDWARD: Of course not, of course not.

FOSTER: Well known for their shared love of horses, Elizabeth took President Ronald Reagan horseback riding in Windsor in 1982.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This was not expected to happen, so --

FOSTER: His successor, President George H.W. Bush brought the queen to her first baseball game at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore during a state visit in 1991. Both Reagan and Bush were later given honorary knighthoods. The U.K's highest distinction.

REAGAN: I feel great and honored.

FOSTER: In her later years, the queen stopped traveling abroad. Instead, leaders came to her. And when they did, the Royal Family rolled out the red carpet in a regal display of British soft power.

President George W. Bush was the first U.S. president to pay an official state visit in 2003. And Bush was also the last to host the queen at the White House in 2007.

Pomp and pageantry did at times provide awkward moments, however. Evidence when President Trump visited in 2018. He also revealed the topic of their conversation, Brexit, which raised eyebrows too.

His predecessor, President Barack Obama also committed a faux pas by speaking over the national anthem.

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For the vitality of the special relationship between our peoples.

FOSTER: Yet these meetings have been a sign of the long standing diplomatic friendship between the U.S. and the U.K., through which the world's longest reigning monarch played a major role.

QUEEN ELIZABETH, FORMER QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: For the continued friendship between our two nations, and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States.

FOSTER: Max Foster, Windsor, England.

WHITFIELD: And CNN's Erin Burnett spoke with two former presidential advisors and here are their memories of some of those meetings with the queen.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: One of my favorite memories from days gone by was accompany President Reagan in 1982, some 40 years ago. The classic Reagan because he had a sort of a classy style, as you know, but we went to Versailles to start with on a foreign trip. 10-day foreign trip, went to Versailles for a G7 meeting. Got up -- got -- the president got up the next morning and flew to Rome to have lunch with the -- with the pope where the president promptly fell asleep.

Of course, but then we got into -- back on Air Force One we'd had breakfast in Versailles and lunch in Rome, and went from there in the afternoon to fly to the U.K. Took a helicopter in to Windsor.

[13:30:00]

And there were the queen and Prince Philip who greeted us with open arms. They put out a wonderful meal. And they were just so welcoming. And with one of those events you felt that you really understood how the world might work.

But it was also very interesting how they bonded. They loved to off -- both the queen and the president loved horses, as you well know. And they loved to ride together. And they had great fun doing that.

And it is -- those relationships with other presidents, I think, were part of her not -- not just her charm but how much she raised the sights of the world.

Where in a world that is so fractures in so many places, to have a queen to bring us together, I think that is where we should be thankful for.

And think that's where the British people are tonight.

ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR, "ERIN BURNET OUTFRONT": Well, and I think it is important -- we're showing the video of them horseback riding. It shows these weren't just cursory relationships in many cases, that these were deep personal connections.

And then President Obama flew to the queen's castle in 2016 to celebrate her 90th birthday. At this point, you're at a very different generation. She would have come in young, she would have come in at the same age, say, around Ronald Reagan, and now here she is. He was so young-looking compared to her.

And here is some of what he said after a meeting with her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The queen's been a source of inspiration for me, like so many people around the world. She is -- truly is one of my favorite people. She's an astonishing person and a real jewel to the world and not just to the United Kingdom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNETT: Very genuine, Van.

VAN JONES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes. And he even compared her, at one point, to his grandmother, which no higher praise than that from anyone. But no higher praise than that from President Obama, who loved his grandmother so much and stood in the breach when his own mother had passed away.

And the Obamas were just star struck. You saw him struggling for words. When do you hear President Obama struggle for words.

BURNETT: Struggling for words, exactly.

(LAUGHTER)

JONES: That is the impact of her. This small person -- apparently, I never had the chance to meet her -- but everybody said, but this huge presence and this grace and this dignity and this regal quality, that is just really rare.

And it is clear that they'll never be another queen like that in that kind of a reign.

And I think everybody around the world is -- people watching TV, Republicans and Democrats, are united tonight in remembering somebody who has been with us our whole lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Wow, that very petite figure but clearly up against everybody as you see, she's still the biggest one in the room at all times.

All right, still ahead, what we're learning about President Biden's plans to go to London for the queen's funeral.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:37:21]

WHITFIELD: President Joe Biden announcing Friday that he will attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in London. Buckingham Palace announcing today that the funeral will be held Monday, September 19th at Westminster Abbey.

The president will likely be accompanied by an official delegation. Though few details have been announced.

CNN senior Washington correspondent, Joe Johns, joining me live with more on this.

So, Joe, explain how royal protocol factors into Biden's delegation. How does he make choices?

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, as the U.S. head of state and also the head of the government, there's a clear expectation that this United States president would attend such a historic event as the funeral of the queen.

Especially given the close relationship between the United States and the U.K. The U.K. being one of America's closest allies.

However, with all things protocol, the United States must follow what is essentially an established progression of things before all of that happens.

And one of those things, of course, was to wait until the plans were announced and an official invitation was extended from the U.K. to the White House.

Once that happens, then the president presumably would be the person who effectively would name members of any United States delegation to England.

The president talked just a little bit about this, asked on Friday whether he was going to attend. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Are you going to the queen's funeral, sir?

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes. I don't know what the details are yet. But I'll be going.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: The president, as president, did have tea with the queen of England last year in June. He also said he found her extremely gracious and compared her to his mother in terms of her look and her generosity -- Fred?

WHITFIELD: And then, before that, tomorrow, it is a very heavy day. I mean, it marks 21 years since the September 11th attacks. How about the president commemorate this somber anniversary.

JOHNS: That is right. And what we know is the president is expected to head over to the Pentagon, which was one of the targets of the 9/11 attacks.

He's expected to attend a wreath laying. And after that, deliver some remarks around the time when, 21 years ago, 9/11 occurred and the buildings in New York as well as here at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania were attacked -- Fred?

[13:40:05]

WHITFIELD: All right, Joe Johns, thank you so much.

Our continuing special coverage will continue in a moment.

But first, in the U.S. growing concerns over the poliovirus, triggering a state of emergency in New York. That story is next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: New York's governor has declared a state of emergency as polio cases rise in the state. So far, the virus has been found in five New York counties, showing more evidence of community spread.

Dr. Daniel Griffin is an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr. Griffin, so good to see you.

So how concerning is this state of emergency for you now that polio, you know, virus has been found in five New York counties?

DR. DANIEL GRIFFIN, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER: I think it is concerning. It is very concerning. I hope for a lot of people this is a wake-up call. I hope for people who are unvaccinated, who have unvaccinated children, and friends that this is a wake-up call.

[13:45:03]

This is really letting everyone know that the poliovirus, it's here. It is circulating. It is ending up in the wastewater because there are people that are infected with this virus. They are shedding this virus.

If they don't wash their hands and serve food or interact with unvaccinated people, we could end up seeing children paralyzed. We could see individuals, even adults on ventilators. And this is something that you can't go back from.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And why do you think it is back? Because it was largely eradicated in the U.S. and so many other countries around the world for decades. What has happened?

GRIFFIN: Yes, I think it is important to realize that we have done a fantastic job of eradicating paralytic polio in the United States. But we have not gotten rid of, throughout the world, circulating poliovirus or even circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus.

So here in the U.S., we are very fortunate. We use an injectable polio vaccine. There's no live virus here. This can't circulate. All it gives you is that wonderful immunity.

But in a lot of parts of world, they're still using oral polio vaccines. Those viruses do revert in everyone, I'm actually going to say in everyone, to potentially virulent virus.

And some individuals will shed this virus for years. So when one of the individuals travels and comes here to the U.S., they can start spreading it here in the U.S.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

GRIFFIN: And those vaccines, as I mentioned, they do a great job of preventing severe disease, a great job of preventing you from getting paralyzed.

But they don't prevent you from becoming someone who is infected, who then sheds it from your gut as well.

WHITFIELD: So then help people recall or have a better understanding of what is it exactly, what is it about this virus? Why is it so transmissible? And in all cases, there's some degree of paralysis involved?

GRIFFIN: I think that's important to know. It's no. And that is what makes this a dangerous virus. And I say, no, not everyone gets paralyzed.

There are three times of polio virus, so not so many like all of these variants with COVID.

But type one, and type two, and type three. Depending on the types. Type one and type three, about one in 200 individuals that get infected will end up paralyzed. Meaning, 99 percent are going to not get paralyzed. It might just have a fever, a little bit of loose stools.

Type two, a little bit better. It is about one in 2000 as far as who gets paralyzed. But that is also very concerning. Because what we're seeing now is type two.

We saw that young man up in Westchester, Rockland County, north of the city, end up paralyzed. That tells us there are likely thousands of people infected. This is really Russian Roulette for the unvaccinated in our midst.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So one polio vaccine that canvasses all three of those types?

GRIFFIN: So our injectable polio vaccine, it is a three shot. We have a fourth booster in our series, sort of reminding us of our COVID. Those shots will protect you, we believe, for life.

So this is really a simple fix. This is a terrifying thing for me thinking about the unvaccinated, the unvaccinated children, the people that have decided to get unvaccinated.

But the people who are vaccinated, you are safe. This is not -- you are safe. And I'll say that again.

WHITFIELD: For a lifetime.

GRIFFIN: So if you're not vaccinated, get vaccinated. If you're not sure if you're vaccinated, don't do a blood test, nothing reliable there. Get vaccinated.

WHITFIELD: All right. Get the -- the message, it is loud and clear.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, thank you so much.

GRIFFIN: Thank you so much. And everyone be safe and get vaccinated. WHITFIELD: Absolutely. Thank you.

King Charles III now formally the new monarch of the U.K.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three cheers for his majesty the king! Hip, hip!

U.K. GUARDS: Hooray!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hip, hip!

U.K. GUARDS: Hooray!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hip, hip!

U.K. GUARDS: Hooray!

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WHITFIELD: It is a full day of celebrations for the new king and also time to honor the late queen.

[13:49:09]

Still ahead, the latest on what we're learning about the funeral details and what is next in the coming days when we come right back.

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WHITFIELD: All right. We continue to see tributes to the queen from around the world. This is the iconic Sydney Opera House lit up with an image of the late monarch on its sails.

And tomorrow, King Charles III will become the official head of state in Australia during a proclamation ceremony.

CNN's Angus Watson has more from Australia.

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ANGUS WATSON, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): Fredricka, Australians watched on the proclamation ceremony of King Charles III with one eye on Sunday, when Australia will hold its own proclamation ceremony and King Charles III will officially become head of state of Australia.

That's not without its controversy, however, because there's a growing Republican movement here. The prime minister himself, Anthony Albanese, is of the opinion that Australia should be a republic and has charged one of his M.P.s with looking into Australia's constitutional future. It is an issue that Queen Elizabeth II did have to deal with in 1999.

Australians were asked in a referendum whether she should remain the head of state and they overwhelmingly voted to keep the queen. Prince Charles will have to face this issue in the coming years.

[13:55:10]

But for now, a period of mourning here in Australia, where Australians remember the life of service that Queen Elizabeth II gave them -- Fredericka?

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WHITFIELD: Angus Watson, thank you so much.

All right, still ahead, a surprise walkabout with William and Harry, Kate and Meghan at Windsor Castle, greeting those that gathered to remember the queen. This extraordinary moment and what it might mean for the future of the monarchy.

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