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King Charles Formally Proclaimed King In Solemn Ceremony; Thousands Gather In London To Pay Their Respects; William & Harry Seen Together For First Time Since June; Soon: Queen's Coffin To Be Moved From Balmoral; Coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to Depart Balmoral; Ukrainians Retake Key Cities; Charles Proclaimed King at St. James's Palace; William and Harry Seen Together at Windsor; Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Set for September 19; Interview with Queen Elizabeth's Former Press Secretary Simon Lewis; Ukrainians Retake Key Cities; Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Shut Down; Ukraine's Counteroffensive Forces Russia's Retreat in Izium; Ukrainian Flags Raised in Retaken Territory Near Izium; Interview with University of New Haven Associate Professor of National Security Matthew Schmidt; Guns Fired Across U.K. in Homage to King Charles III; Interview with hello! Magazine, Royal Correspondent Emily Nash; Information on Queen Elizabeth's Last Journey Made Public by the Palace. Aired 4-4:50a ET

Aired September 11, 2022 - 04:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:00:00]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL NEWS ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Becky Anderson live for you at Buckingham Palace in London with CNN's special coverage, continuing coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, an hour from now Britain's late queen is scheduled to embark on her final journey, leaving her beloved country home in Scotland for the last time. A hearse carrying the Queen's body expected to depart from Balmoral Castle for a 175 mile, six-hour trip to Edinburgh. There she will be taken to the official royal residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The new king and queen consort will attend a church service in Edinburgh for the Queen on Monday. On the following day, the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, will accompany her casket -- the Queen's casket on a flight to London. The Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall for four days as the public pays its final respects to Britain's longest reigning monarch. Her state funeral is set for eight days from now, September 19th at Westminster Abbey, followed by internment at Windsor Castle.

There'll be more pomp and ceremony as her son Charles III was officially proclaimed the new king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in a centuries old accession ceremony. The Prince of Wales and queen consort signed the official document. And an extraordinary event, the king's sons, Princes William and Harry and their wives spent about 45 minutes with the crowd of mourners on the streets outside Windsor Castle. It was the first time the brothers have been seen together since June.

Let's kick off our coverage with CNN's Isa Soares who is in Edinburgh with more, Isa, on what we can expect in the coming hours.

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT AND ANCHOR: Good Morning, Becky.

Well, the sun is out in what king Charles III called his mother's last great journey. What we do know is that the Queen's coffin is an oak coffin is currently sitting at the ballroom at Balmoral. It will be transferred by six of Balmoral's gatekeepers to an awaiting hearse.

So, really, an opportunity for those who served the Queen for many decades to pay their last respects and their final goodbye. It will then begin, as you stated Becky, on a slow six-hour journey through various points of Scotland. It will first stop by -- pass by Ballater, a small picturesque town, where we were staying in actually, where we met many of the people there who had stories about the Queen, as well as king Charles. And who saw her really as a neighbor.

From baluster, it will then go -- from Ballater it will then go to the city of Aberdeen, following on from Dundee, as you can see on your map, and then Perth. It will then pass where I am here, in The Royal Mile, really going past me to -- behind me, as you can see there, St. Giles' Cathedral all the way then downwards to the Palace of Holyrodhouse where the Queen will lie in the throne room. Of course, the Palace of Holyrodhouse is the royal residence here in Scotland.

And then on Monday, Becky, the coffin will be transported by a procession led by King Charles III and his family from the palace to St. Giles' Cathedral where she will lie in rest for 24 hours before then making that journey to London where you are, Becky.

ANDERSON: Isa Soares is in Edinburgh in Scotland. Thank you.

I'm joined now by someone who worked very closely with Queen Elizabeth II. Simon Lewis is her former press secretary and we've been talking about and laying out what is the Queen's final journey. And this will be from Balmoral, an estate that she absolutely loved.

Simon, you've spent time with Queen Elizabeth II there. Just reflect on how she felt about the place and your thoughts.

[04:05:00]

SIMON LEWIS, QUEEN ELIZABETH'S FORMER PRESS SECRETARY: Yes, the late Queen loved Balmoral. And she spent most of the summer and into the autumn there, but of course always working there. But a very different environment, very detached, away from the eyes of the media, away from everything other than, of course -- she loved the country. And there's a beautiful country side around there. I was very lucky when I was appointed. I was invited to spend a few days in Balmoral with the Queen and the royal family. And on the first night, they went off to have a barbecue, which is quite a famous tradition. Prince Philip cooking the sausages, seriously. And I was told we were going in the Range Rovers and I was asked to jump into the Range Rover and I jumped into the driving seat. And then, there was a pause and the Queen got in beside me. So, I had to grip the wheel. We had a perfectly civil conversation.

But the important thing about it, that's what they were like there. They were completely off duty. And I got to know -- had never met them in the royal family before I joined the house. So, spending that time with them, and as an adviser once you are inside, you're genuinely inside. So, I came back from Balmoral just thinking it's a wonderful place. Feeling I had a better understanding of what the Queen and Prince Philip and others wanted of me in my role.

ANDERSON: The following time you went up, of course, you allowed her to drive the Range Rover around the Balmoral estate, right? Because as I know, as I understand it, she loved to drive herself.

LEWIS: And at some speed.

ANDERSON: And at some speed, absolutely. You have clearly gotten to know over the years former Prince Charles, now King Charles III. How will he cope with this role?

LEWIS: Well, he has been preparing it for his whole life. And I think what's interesting is as Prince of Wales he's probably the first ever for long professional Prince of Wales. And he has an amazing team around him. He has his issues that he wants to promote -- or did want to promote. And obviously as king, will no longer do that.

I'd say three things about him. He's enormously hardworking. He works day and night. And he's incredibly meticulous. And secondly, he's got a great sense of humor, like his late mother. And thirdly, and I observed this when I saw him when I was in the palace, he has time for the people who aren't doing the important roles. He will stop and thank people. He'll spend time with people who were actually behind the scenes. And it's not just a show, it's not a show, it's what he's like as a person. So, I think that's what we'll find with him.

ANDERSON: Yes, and that's really important, isn't it? And certainly, will be for him that, you know, as people who know him, and you do. You say that he has time for people. So, the British public and those in countries around the world where he will be head of state also need to learn to connect with a man who, perhaps isn't as -- I want to say accessible. The Queen was actually not very accessible to anybody, but everybody felt they knew her. They could connect with her. How does he do that?

LEWIS: Well, I think the early signs are he does it naturally. I thought that walkabout, this is a grieving son, the king, the newly anointed king, and he was spending time with people and connecting. So, I think -- obviously, there's something about the role itself, but there's something about him as a person, I think, that people are connecting with him and meeting him in his early days, obviously. But I think the combination, that wonderful well-judged speech, the walkabout, the accession council -- although, obviously, that was pure sort of process, I think we're seeing the king emerge.

ANDERSON: Yes, an awful lot of theatre that as well. Finally, and just before I let you go. You talked about the walkabout, Prince Charles meeting people here outside Buckingham Palace. What about the boys, as they are known --

LEWIS: Well, I --

ANDERSON: -- you know, Prince William and Harry, together with their wives yesterday in Windsor. How important is that?

LEWIS: I think it's what the British people wanted to see. And I think at times like this, and we are all parts of families, you know, a grieving family comes together. And I thought it was not just the right thing to do but perhaps let's hope it's the start of a new dynamic. And I think often in these situations, families reconnect in a different way, but certainly from the British people's point of view that is exactly what people wanted to see.

ANDERSON: Very good to have you with us, sir. Thank you very much.

LEWIS: Pleasure.

ANDERSON: Indeed, in what is a super morning here, Sunday morning here in London. Simon Lewis for you.

Let's get you over to New York for a look at other news from around the world. Alison Kosik is standing by.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Becky. Great interview with Simon there.

Ukrainian flags are going back up in key towns and cities retaken from Russia. Coming up, we report live from Zaporizhzhia on what looks to be an embarrassing defeat for Moscow.

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[04:10:00]

KOSIK: Welcome back. I'm Alison Kosik.

In Ukraine the last operating reactor at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant has been shut down, that's according to Ukraine's nuclear agency. The International Atomic Energy Agency said last Tuesday, shelling damaged a backup power line supplying the facility. News at the plant comes as Ukraine reports major gains against Russia in the east. Ukrainian troops, on Saturday, rolled into Izium driving out Kremlin forces after more than five months of occupation. Izium looks to be the most significant defeat for Moscow since the battle for Kyiv.

And as the blue and yellow flags went up in nearby towns, even pro- Russian officials had to admit they were evacuating into Russian territory. Izium could open up a new front against Russian forces in the Donbas. And Ukraine's president is already naming which cities could be liberated next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Lyman, the city in the Donetsk region is still waiting for our flag and it's inevitable. Ukraine always comes back. We show this clearly. The entire Donetsk region will be liberated, safe, and happy again, as it should be in Ukraine and should be everywhere in our land.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: CNN's Sam Kiley is live for us in Zaporizhzhia with the latest. Sam, with operations at the nuclear plant shut down, do you know what that means for the safety of the facility itself?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the whole idea is that this is because of the safety of the facility.

[04:15:00]

Now, what's happened is that over the last few weeks, the power supply to the nuclear power station has been intermittent, it has been frequently cut, forcing the authorities there to trigger the emergency backup system. Now, that is predominantly diesel generators that generate electricity to run the cooling system for the nuclear reactors there.

Normally speaking that would be done by a cable or several cables being supplied into the nuclear power station by a nearby traditional power station. But because those have been cut due to fighting, they've had to rely on these diesel backup generators. That has happened so frequently that, as far as the Ukrainian authorities are concerned, and they would have done this in coordination with the United Nation, they have two inspectors on the ground there inside the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, they have elected to close it down all together.

That doesn't mean that it will symptom reacting, that's not something you can do with a nuclear power plant. But what they can do is take it off the grid, rely now entirely on the backup systems, either its own capacity to generate power or the diesel generators to keep it cool in order to make sure that in their view it doesn't represent a hazard to the rest of the country.

But this is a very dramatic development because at its peak, this is a nuclear power station that provided a fifth, 20 percent of Ukraine's total generating capacity. Now, of course, that has been substantially reduced since the Russians captured it on March 4th this year. But it is still been supplying up until recently power into the Ukrainian national grid. So, they will have to get their electricity elsewhere. But what this does also do is, in theory anyway, prevent the Russians effectively from stealing the electricity and trying to move it into their own network. KOSIK: Sam, can you give us more details about the latest big wins for Ukrainian forces?

KILEY: Yes, this has been a very dramatic push in the north around Kharkiv, effectively the second largest city in the country that was very heavily bombarded by Russia in the early days of the war and nearly captured. Since then, it has been a scene -- that entire province had been scene of extremely heavy fighting as the Russians have tried to consolidate their grip on the east of the country.

But the Ukrainians, at the same time, is launching a counteroffensive in the south. Pretty much, at the same time, launched a counteroffensive in the north, too. Splitting Russian forces and very effectively conducting assault operations. In the last 24 hours have meant that the city of Izium, effectively the main city on the route east/west between Kharkiv and Kramatorsk which is still a Ukrainian hold out in the far east to the county was held by the Russians. Now, we understand it has been recaptured by the Ukrainians in very dramatic move in which many, many dozens of kilometers are being captured almost by the hour as these Ukrainian forces have been pushing through.

Now, it's premature to say that this is a Russian collapse of the military in that area. That is the sort of thing that the Ukrainians are talking about, and ultimately it will be their ultimately objection -- objective, rather, is to cause a collapse in Russian ranks. To cause a route and hopefully, from their perspective, drive the Russians entirely out of the country. There is still a great deal of territory to be recaptured but this is a very dramatic significant step forward from the Ukrainian perspective.

KOSIK: OK. Sam Kiley, thanks for all that great context.

Earlier, I spoke with Matthew Schmidt, the associate professor of national security at the University of New Haven. And I asked him about the significance of Ukrainians entering the city of Izium.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW SCHMIDT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN: This has been a tremendous couple of days for Ukraine. It's hard to underestimate how important these gains are. They caught the Russians by surprise, which is shocking because people were talking about the possibility of a breakthrough in this very spot, but the commanders weren't listening. And frankly, the troops that they had were unprofessional, right? Were second tier in that region, which is why it was chosen.

The Ukrainians now have to find the reserves to exploit the gains that they have made to continue to push east and then to move south towards Donetsk. That's really the key for them right now and we'll see in the coming days if they have that.

KOSIK: Are the recent advances the result, do you think, of fresh western weapons, a change in tactics by Ukraine, Russia proving less durable than thought, or is it a combination of all of those? SCHMIDT: Well, it's a combination. But I would highlight what I learned with the U.S. army is that war is about politics, and warfare is about people and professionalism.

[04:20:00]

And what you have is the world's heretofore thought of as second most powerful military collapsing because as it turns out it's unprofessional on the inside.

What happened in the east here, in large part was, is you had second and third tier personnel in those front lines. You had officers who have been denuded in battle. Who are, simply, unprofessional and not paying attention to the signs. And on the flip side, you have a citizen, you know, volunteer army that's turned professional in a matter of weeks that is exploiting the weapons that have been given to them by the United States and the west to great effect, but they're able to do that because they know why they're fighting. And, therefore, they are fighting. The Russians increasingly, when we see from reports, don't know why they're there and aren't fighting hard because of that.

KOSIK: OK. Let's look at it from the other side of the equation here. Is there fear that Russia could be more likely to unleash a weapon we haven't seen so far, for instance, either chemical weapons or a tactical nuclear strike to turn the tide back in its favor?

SCHMIDT: Neither of those would turn the tide back in its favor on the battlefield, but I do think we're at heightened risk, really sort of a max point of escalation right now for Russia to turn and blame this on the west. What we see in the airwaves in Russia right now, what we see with their bloggers, is that the narrative is very much now saying that it wasn't Ukraine that pushed through here, it was the west, right, and Ukraine is our proxy.

And now, they're building up a narrative to attack into Poland, into NATO bases there or Romania or somewhere. We don't know where. But it's unlikely that it would be something -- with something like a tactical nuclear weapon or chemical weapons because that wouldn't help them much.

But I think we really have to worry about some kind of asymmetrical attack, increased cyberattacks herein the U.S. and in Europe. Using oil as a weapon. Gas as a weapon again as we move into the winter months here in Europe. And some sort of specialized attack because they don't have it on the ground to engage in a conventional attack that's going to do this for them now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: Our thanks to Matthew Schmidt for his expertise.

CNN's coverage of the new royal era continues in just a moment with Becky Anderson. She'll have more on funeral plans for the late Queen. And a look at a joint public appearance, Saturday, by two royal brothers. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:25:00]

ANDERSON: 9:25 here in London. I'm Becky Anderson. We are about a half an hour away from the start of the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II. Her oak coffin will depart from here, her beloved Balmoral estate in Scotland. This morning, there will be stops in Edinburgh and then a final journey to London.

On Wednesday, members of the royal family will walk silently behind her coffin in a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. The late monarch will then lie in state until Monday, September 19th when her funeral service will be held at Westminster Abbey.

Well, meantime, a historic ceremony at St. James's Palace, Saturday morning, officially proclaimed King Charles III as sovereign of the United Kingdom. Also, Saturday the king's sons, Prince William -- Princes William and Harry spent more than 45 minutes talking with mourners gathered outside Windsor Castle along with her wives. It was the first time the princes have been seen together since the Queen's platinum jubilee in June.

Well, Emily Nash is here with me live. She's a royal correspondent for "Hello! Magazine." It's good to have you with us again. I think, I'm right in saying that these couples haven't been in -- seen in public together at a public engagement since March the 9th of 2020. That is pre-COVID. Just how significant were those images yesterday?

EMILY NASH, ROYAL CORRESPONDENT, HELLO! MAGAZINE: It was a huge moment. A real wow moment from the royal correspondents who I'm in constant contact with. And I think it was a really classy move on both sides, to be honest, because there's been so much speculation around this. And much like at Phillip's funeral, this is not about them, this is not about the family dynamic behind the scenes, it's about honoring their grandmother and actually putting on a show of unity.

And I was told that the Prince of Wales, Prince William was very clear that he wanted this show of unity. He's reached out to Harry with quite short notice, made the invitation and, of course, the Sussexes were pleased to go and join them. And there was a slight delay, in fact, it had been due to take place 45 minutes earlier. So, I think there was a bit of scrambling behind the scenes. But actually, the result was this really heartwarming gesture on both sides which I think does a lot to help the whole family in this.

ANDERSON: Does it suggest that the conflict between the two is actually resolved at this point? I mean, that would be going too far, wouldn't it?

NASH: I think it's the first step. Look, there is a lot going on. As we know, there's potentially this book that Harry is writing, a Netflix series, a lot of things, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since March 2020. And there has been a lot of hurt on both sides as we know. But I think, you know, they have this unity in terms of both being the sons of the now king. They've both just lost their grandmother. They have so much in common. They're the only people, really, who understand what each other is going through at this moment. And I think it was really lovely that they made that gesture.

ANDERSON: The accession of the now King Charles III happening yesterday, the streets here behind us, Emily, I know that you were here, were absolutely packed with people.

NASH: Yes.

ANDERSON: It was this an odd sense. It was quiet, respectful, and yet people were obviously very excited to get a shot of king Charles III as he moved between St. James's Palace and to Buckingham Palace behind us here. And we expect to see crowds of people once again today and for, of course, the next eight days as we go through this period now.

NASH: Yes.

ANDERSON: Given this country. The people this have country and those around the world, who she was head of state for, the opportunity to say goodbye.

NASH: Absolutely. This is a seismic moment, really, for the U.K. and for other parts of the world because we have had this one person as an icon and as a common point of identity for 70 years and she's gone.

[04:30:00]

NASH: And I think the palace is moving very quickly to not fill the void, that would never be the correct way of phrasing it. But I think it's very important that the king has been as visible as he has. And I think we're going to see a great deal of him in the coming days along with other family members. And they are out there at a point of time, which is very difficult for them really actually doing their bit to lift spirits.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: It's interesting. I mean, it may not be protocols call it void to fill a void. But you're right, effectively, you know, it's important that there is no vacuum. When I say it's important, I think these important for the people of Britain, that there is some continuity.

BASH: Yes.

ANDERSON: You might say, you know, what, how important is this? How important are the royal family at the end of the day? They just play a ceremonial role. And yes, I get that. But it's a role nevertheless. And with the sort of issues that this country has and countries have around the world at the moment, certainly when you, for example, see William and Harry out there, that lifts the spirits, doesn't it? This royal family does have a role to play. The question is, what does that look like going forward?

NASH: Well, this is a huge question. And I think the Queen was always there at times of instability, uncertainty, particularly I'm thinking during COVID. Some of the public addresses she made was so poignant, and so unified -- ANDERSON: We will meet again.

NASH: I mean --

ANDERSON: Very mean, right. Yes.

NASH: Exactly. And I think King Charles now is going to take on that responsibility. And I'm surprised to hear from a lot of people who I know aren't particularly interested in the royal family or royalists, who were very moved by his address the other night. And I think he still will have this ability to convene people and to offer reassurance at times of public crisis. And I think that is a key part of the monarchy's role.

ANDERSON: This is a roll finally, that Prince Charles has been, you know, rehearsing for his entire life and the Prince of Wales, now Prince of Wales, Prince William, will have known that this was coming. You get the sense, and you've been covering the roles now for years. And as a casual observer, I've seen this as well.

We've heard from Prince Charles, he said, he's been dreading this, he's been dreading the moment that his mother dies. And also, I think it's fair to say dreading what comes next. And you got that sense from Prince William in the past as well. Now is the time they have to step up, correct?

NASH: Absolutely. And let's not forget, these are two very determined characters William and his father, and they're very passionate about the causes they've been involved with over the years. For the Prince of Wales, it will be a wrench to have to move away from things like his sustainable markets initiative that he's built up over the last few years.

These are hugely important projects that are bringing people together from all over the world to fight climate change, and things like that. And so it will be a wrench for him to have to turn his back on those so to speak, and now take on the duties of state. William too has the earth shots prize as his major project now, and he's obviously focusing so much energy on that at the moment and having to change responsibilities literally overnight. It's difficult.

ANDERSON: I think -- and, you know, and what you're talking about is the royal family needing to be apolitical, I think what's important on issues like --

NASH: Yes.

ANDERSON: -- climate change and the environment year short price, for example. You know, I think certainly in the U.K., these are, I think, it was Tony Blair who said this the other day, these are, I think consensus issues.

NASH: Yes.

ANDERSON: -- these are easier issues to carry on, you know, putting forward than perhaps other issues that might have been activist about in the past. So let's hope that they get the opportunity to at least support this going forward.

It's great having you. Thank you very much indeed.

NASH: Thank you.

ANDERSON: Busy times for world correspondents these days. Emily Nash in the house for you.

Our coverage of the new royal era continues in just a moment. Straight ahead, Commonwealth nations mourning the late Queen Elizabeth II in welcoming her son to the throne a live report from Sydney after this

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three cheers for His Majesty the King. Hep, hep.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (in unison): Hooray!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hep, hep.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (in unison): Hooray!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hep, hep.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (in unison): Hooray!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:37:25]

ANDERSON: Well member nations of the Commonwealth are marking the new royal era, condolences from leaders across the Commonwealth have poured in following the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death. Canada's Prime Minister said the Queen's service will forever remain an important part of this country's history. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proclaimed King Charles III as Canada's new ahead of state on Saturday signed the proclamation at the same table used by the late Queen during her first official visit to Canada back in October of 1957.

Well Australia has also officially proclaimed King Charles III as new head of state in a ceremony earlier today. While in New York expatriate Britons and Americans alike have been gathering at a tea house to mourn and remember the Queen.

CNN's Polo Sandoval has their story.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You spend some time on this New York city sidewalk and you certainly get a sense of that international reach that Queen Elizabeth II. It's one of the reasons why for the last several days here at Tea and Sympathy, folks have actually stopped by at this local cafe here dropping off flowers, perhaps sharing a few memories. This known as the unofficial British Consulate around here.

When you hear from the owners Sean Kavanagh, those doubts that he'll tell you that it's not only people that have been coming together to mourn but also to celebrate the legacy of Queen Elizabeth and also with big questions about what may happen next for the institution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN KAVANAGH-DOWSETT, OWNERM TEA & SYMPATHY: It's just been a constant stream of people coming by dropping off flowers to show that they're supporting us and, you know, feeling the sense of loss. I can but hope that the love that -- just even a proportion of the love that was for the Queen carries on with Charles and I think he has every chance to do that. I think, you know, I thought his speech was really great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And no doubt folks here in New York City will certainly be watching ahead of federal events that are scheduled in the coming days. Polo Sandoval, CNN, New York.

ANDERSON: All across Britain, there's been tremendous sadness over the Queen's passing. Here in London, countless number of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects with thousands more expected over the coming days. CNN's Anna Stewart reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER (voice over): Hours after the news broke, the mourners came. Flowers left at the foot of Buckingham Palace and pin to the gates. So many in fact that the palace have moved them to a new home across the road. A memorial of flowers.

[04:40:05]

(on-camera): This is just the beginning of this floral tribute so you can imagine how many flowers will be here in the coming days. Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn up to Buckingham Palace and come here to Green Park to pay their respects to the Queen. It's an opportunity to reflect on her reign what she meant to people, and a chance for people to show the Queen and the royal family how much she meant to them.

(voice over): Whether it's letters of gratitude, or pictures of corgis, it's an individual expression of grief expressed in public for all to see and share.

She was kind --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And caring.

STEWART (voice over): Notes from children who celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee just three months ago.

(On-camera) You're going to remember this, aren't you? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

STEWART (on-camera): When you're older.

(voice over): For many, the emotions are still raw. For others, it's a storm that's passing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really, really sad. So you almost sort of saw it coming through the afternoon. But then when it cut to the announcement, there were tears in our house, then you have to sort of process it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, some flowers for the Queen because she was such an amazing person. I felt very sad because she's the only Queen or person I've ever had.

STEWART (voice over): A sentiment shared by those far older than Annabelle (ph), if you can remember life before the Queen's 70-year reign. Here there are also messages for the king, one from nine-year- old William Morris, saying he's grieving too, and understands how the King must feel. His grandmother recently passed away.

Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of King Charles III as he returned to Buckingham Palace after his formal proclamation as King.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We came predominantly today to see -- leave a flower for the Queen, which is why we came this morning, isn't it? And then it's been such an honest, the King Charles as well.

STEWART (on-camera): And maybe it's quite jubilant, I would say now?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. You know, it's really nice and I really hope that the crowd and the country give Charles a chance and it's lovely.

STEWART (on-camera): Well as you can see, this period of national mourning isn't just about looking back. It's also about looking forwards

(voice over): Anna Stewart, CNN, Buckingham Palace, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Now there's more to come on CNN. After the break, we'll have a look at the late Queen's love for her Scottish residence Balmoral, the central role that it played in her life through the years.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:46:40]

ANDERSON: Well a funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II is set to begin very soon with a casket to be slowly driven from Balmoral castle to Edinburgh in Scotland and service will be held there at St. George's Cathedral on Monday and then the Queen's body will be flown to London on Tuesday. She will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday, and her funeral service and interment will take place the following Monday, September the 19th.

Queen Elizabeth is the longest reigning monarch in British history occupying the throne for more than 70 years. Her death last Thursday at the age of 96 has deeply affected this country and the Commonwealth with many people saying they felt a personal connection to her.

When she was at a Scottish country estate Balmoral, when she passed away on Thursday, she spent summers and holidays there for most of her life along with many members of the royal family. My colleague Michael Holmes has more now on the late monarch's beloved retreat.

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MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR (voice over): This is where Queen Elizabeth chose to spend the last months of her life, Balmoral in Scotland, a refuge for the royal family in the Scottish Highlands, a place dear to the lake Queen's heart. It's where she summered with her parents and sister Margaret, was courted by her future husband Philip, and where she would return throughout her life with her family.

The love of Balmoral shared by son King Charles, who, along with his wife, Camilla, are frequent visitors to their residence on the estate. It was a photo of the Capitol in Scotland at Clarence House released in 2005, after their engagement was announced. The affinity for the cherished retreat, reciprocated by many locals of a nearby town who say they've grown used to their famous neighbors and the occasional brush with royalty.

ALISTAIR CASSIE, HARDWARE SHOP OWNER: You knew if you went into the place and the corgis came in with an idea, you knew she was there.

HOLMES (voice over): Others say it will be a big change for the community since Prince William now inherits the Scottish title once held by his father.

BETTY SIMPSON, BALLATER RESIDENT: King Charles affair that seems quite strange. We just have known Mr. Duke of Rothesay when he comes here, the Duchess of Rothesay, and he's done amazing things for this village.

HOLMES (voice over): The vast Scottish countryside where the family would fish stalk deer and take picnics has long been a source of strength for the Royals. Princes William and Harry were here when they learned of their mother Princess Diana's death. And Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip would spend their last summer together at Balmoral in 2020.

In 2021, after the Duke of Edinburgh his death, the Queen attended the Scottish Parliament's opening ceremony where she spoke of her lifelong connection to the place.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II, QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country. And of the many happy memories, Prince Philip and I always held of our time here. It is often said that it is the people that make a place and there are a few places where this is truer than in Scotland. HOLMES (voice over): Michael Holmes, CNN.

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ANDERSON: Well thanks for joining me here on CNN Newsroom. I'm Becky Anderson outside Buckingham Palace.

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