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Royal Denial
Aired November 07, 2003 - 15:06 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Britain today, the royals are aghast, the papers are gagged, and the nation's agog with shocking rumors apparently regarding Prince Charles and an unnamed former servant.
We get the story, at least sort of, from CNN's Walt Rodgers in London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prince Charles is on a state visit to Oman, but he's issued a categorical denial that he was ever involved in an alleged incident, which cannot be reported for legal reasons, but which some say could shake the British monarchy to the core.
Totally ludicrous, Charles says. The allegations said to involve the heir to the British thrown cannot be discussed nor disclosed because of a high court injunction block publication in the U.K. But the prince does acknowledge he is the high royal alleged to have been involved. Charles' private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, said the prince's preemptive denial even before the allegations are public here is aimed at putting an end to damaging speculation.
SIR MICHAEL PEAT, SENIOR ROYAL AIDE: Others are discussing it. And the allegations are becoming common currency. It's the subject of much speculation and innuendo. And I just want to make it entirely clear, even though I can't refer to the specifics of the allegation, that it's totally untrue and without a shred of substance.
RODGERS: Denials aside, the newspaper headlines, even with very little of substance to print, are now suggesting the future of the British royal family hangs in the balance. Other royals watchers disagree.
ROBERT JOBSON, ROYAL COMMENTATOR: I think the monarchy will ride this one out. They've ridden most of the scandals of the recent years, since the death of the late Princess Diana, out. I'm sure they'll ride this one out, if indeed it does surface. The reality of the situation is, the royal family are not elected. Therefore, they can have the advantage of time being on their side. And they would just keep their -- their powder dry for the next couple of years.
RODGERS: The allegations of a scandalous incident have been circulating inside media offices for weeks now. The Charles denial may have given the rumors new life by triggering even greater media and public attention. (on camera): Some of the allegations are already on the Internet, beyond the control of the British courts. And many are now beginning to ask, if, by going public, Prince Charles may not have shot himself in the foot.
Walter Rodgers, CNN, London.
(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
Aired November 7, 2003 - 15:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Britain today, the royals are aghast, the papers are gagged, and the nation's agog with shocking rumors apparently regarding Prince Charles and an unnamed former servant.
We get the story, at least sort of, from CNN's Walt Rodgers in London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prince Charles is on a state visit to Oman, but he's issued a categorical denial that he was ever involved in an alleged incident, which cannot be reported for legal reasons, but which some say could shake the British monarchy to the core.
Totally ludicrous, Charles says. The allegations said to involve the heir to the British thrown cannot be discussed nor disclosed because of a high court injunction block publication in the U.K. But the prince does acknowledge he is the high royal alleged to have been involved. Charles' private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, said the prince's preemptive denial even before the allegations are public here is aimed at putting an end to damaging speculation.
SIR MICHAEL PEAT, SENIOR ROYAL AIDE: Others are discussing it. And the allegations are becoming common currency. It's the subject of much speculation and innuendo. And I just want to make it entirely clear, even though I can't refer to the specifics of the allegation, that it's totally untrue and without a shred of substance.
RODGERS: Denials aside, the newspaper headlines, even with very little of substance to print, are now suggesting the future of the British royal family hangs in the balance. Other royals watchers disagree.
ROBERT JOBSON, ROYAL COMMENTATOR: I think the monarchy will ride this one out. They've ridden most of the scandals of the recent years, since the death of the late Princess Diana, out. I'm sure they'll ride this one out, if indeed it does surface. The reality of the situation is, the royal family are not elected. Therefore, they can have the advantage of time being on their side. And they would just keep their -- their powder dry for the next couple of years.
RODGERS: The allegations of a scandalous incident have been circulating inside media offices for weeks now. The Charles denial may have given the rumors new life by triggering even greater media and public attention. (on camera): Some of the allegations are already on the Internet, beyond the control of the British courts. And many are now beginning to ask, if, by going public, Prince Charles may not have shot himself in the foot.
Walter Rodgers, CNN, London.
(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
