Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Royal Family Celebrates Queen Mum's 101st

Aired August 04, 2001 - 15:08   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: For one of the British royals, a birthday celebration: The queen mum is 101 years young.

ITN's Libby Wiener has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LIBBY WIENER, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): A little frailer, perhaps a little paler, too. But nothing was going to stop the queen mother appearing outside Clarence House today. She insisted on standing while a band played a musical tribute. Then the strain of the last few days suddenly showed, when she almost lost her balance.

But she was quickly back on her feet, receiving flowers from one rather bemused 2-year-old, who was carried to her by steward, William Talon (ph). To the relieve of her household, she then got into her buggy for the rest of the celebrations. She spent about 40 minutes meeting some of the thousands of people who had come to see her to give her their birthday wishes.

(on camera): It's hard to believe it's less than 48 hours since the queen mother left hospital. But as one of her courtiers said, she'd simply hate to disappoint the fans. Also fresh from hospital this morning, her grandson Prince Charles sped back to London to join the celebrations.

(voice-over): As he left hospital after his polo accident, he reassured people about his well-being, saying he was still alive.

Later, at Clarence House, he appeared with his grandmother, his two sons and his aunt, Princess Margaret. She looked unwell after her two strokes, but nevertheless manage a wave for the crowds before the family went back inside to the palace for a birthday lunch.

Libby Wiener, ITN, Clarence House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com