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American Morning

Look at What's Happening in England

Aired February 15, 2002 - 07:50   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.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: A royal funeral, a knight named Rudy and a supermodel suing one of the British tabloids. It doesn't get any better than that. Time to go across the pond for a closer look at what's happening over there. Here's our buddy Richard Quest joining us this morning from Windsor Castle where the funeral for Princess Margaret will be held a bit later. Good morning Richard.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you Jack. Yes, you'll note, of course, they haven't let me inside the castle. I'm on the outside looking in, so to speak. It's a sad day today here in Britain. Princess Margaret is being laid to rest. The Queen's sister is being cremated this afternoon. There will be a private service in Windsor Castle behind me.

Lots to talk about now, but I wanted to show you this is the last picture of Princess Margaret, the last official photo that was taken of her, just about a year ago. The princess looking - back in October this was taken, looking - anyone who remembers what she was like, a very different woman now and in fact, this picture very nearly didn't happen.

The princess decided only at the last minute that she was going to go ahead with this. Now besides, of course, the princess' funeral, the big talking point is being whether the Queen Mother, 101 herself, would be well enough to attend. She (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Queen's other private house, and last night flew here.

Earlier in the week, the big story in all the papers was that the Queen and other members of the Royal family were begging the Queen Mother not to attend the funeral of her youngest daughter. Now it might sound a bit callous, of course, but the Queen Mother not enjoying good health at the moment. So what we're all looking for today not only to see the Royal family, but to see the Queen Mother and to see just in what sort of health she is, and we expect to see some pictures of the Queen Mother in the next couple of hours.

The service is due to start in two hour's time. But as I say, the big talking point has been whether the Queen Mother, 101 herself, would actually make it here to Windsor Castle, and that indeed she has - Jack.

CAFFERTY: Richard, I'm interested in the story about the supermodel and the British tabloid. We also alluded to the fact, of course, that the former mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani, was knighted by the Queen this week. But let's skip ahead and get to the dirt, if you will, on the supermodel. Who is it and what's the story?

QUEST: Well yes, although, and of course when you talk about the former mayor of New York, you know - in fact actually, you know Jack, there's a lot of similarities, not necessarily between Naomi Campbell and the former mayor. But in terms of the issues that are at stake, because Naomi Campbell is before the court. She is suing one of the British tabloids, "The Daily Mirror" (ph), who basically ousted (ph).

Now I'm not being salacious. What I'm talking about is the fact that Naomi Campbell has a drug problem. And one of the major tabloids printed pictures of her leaving a narcotics anonymous meeting. They went even further - they actually had - they actually sent a reporter into the meeting to hear what she would be sharing about in there.

And what Ms. Campbell is doing is suing "The Daily Mirror" (ph), claiming breach of privacy. Now this is very interesting because until now Britain hasn't really had a breach of privacy or privacy law as such. It's only with the arrival with the European court of human rights into our law that that's happened.

Bringing this full circle, Naomi Campbell, yes, admitted she had a drug problem, admitted that she could be surreptitious, admitted that she was a difficult person to work with, but she said she still has a right to privacy over this issue. "The Daily Mirror" (ph), of course, said no you don't. You're a famous person and therefore, everything's up for grabs.

And you know we can bring this full circle, Jack. Here I am at Windsor Castle, the Royal family, which let's face it, has very little privacy in terms of its scandal. Princess Margaret who will be cremated today, the affairs and scandals of her life. Rudy Giuliani, the problems that he had not only with his prostate cancer, but also with his marital difficulties and now Naomi Campbell saying I may be a drug addict, but I'm entitled to a bit of privacy.

Jack, privacy and the public, big issues (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CAFFERTY: All right.

Richard, thank you very much. Have a good weekend. I'll talk to you next Friday. Richard Quest reporting live from London - Anderson.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Did you see that paparazzi surround the Range Rover or whatever it was Naomi Campbell was in?

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: It's typical of the British press, though. I mean they are known for being a pack like that, and you know ...

CAFFERTY: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) New York.

COOPER: Going after.

CAFFERTY: Press (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that way too.

(CROSSTALK) ZAHN: Oh they're not that bad I don't think.

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