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CNN Live Saturday

Britain's Queen Mother Turns 101

Aired August 04, 2001 - 13:13   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Britain's beloved queen mother is 101 years old today. And with determination and good spirits, she met her adoring public. Here is CNN's Walter Rodgers.

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WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Londoners are celebrating the 101st birthday of the queen mother, that is the mother of the current queen of England, Queen Elizabeth. She is 101 years old today. She came out to pay her respects to the crowd of thousands of well-wishers here at Clarence House, who gathered to wish her the very, very best.

This woman is extraordinarily beloved, because she's such an important piece of British history in the last century. She toured the area in her little golf cart, the royal buggy. Thousands of children rushed up to give her flowers. A lady in waiting was there to receive the flowers. Queen mother had a very lovely celebration here at Clarence House.

One of the things that gave some people pause, however, was the fact that at one point she did take a slight stumble. She recovered herself well, recalling she has been in a hospital for a day this past week receiving a blood transfusion for anemia.

After the buggy ride, there was a bit of a family photo with Prince Charles, her beloved grandson, Prince Philip, and her great grandson, Prince Charles' youngest son, Prince Harry. Prince Charles -- everyone was glad to see that he was out of the hospital too. He took a rather nasty fall yesterday, became unconscious when he fell from a polo pony, but he was here to celebrate the 101st birthday of his grandmother as well.

Walter Rogers, CNN, London.

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