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American Morning

British Royal Family Members Arrive at Windsor Castle

Aired February 15, 2002 - 09:48   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: British royal family members have arrived now at Windsor Castle outside London for the funeral of Princess Margaret.

Let's go there and get a report from Richard Quest -- Richard.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jack, the major members of the royal family have now arrived at Saint George's chapel here at Windsor Castle. A few moments ago, we saw Prince Charles, the prince of Wales, Princess Ann, the princess royalty's sister, along with the duke of York.

We also saw Prince Harry arriving. We are now just awaiting the arrival of her majesty the queen at Saint George's Chapel. That's likely to happen any second now. And of course what we're waiting to see is whether and how her majesty Queen Elizabeth, the mother arrives, at the chapel.

They are coming together, of course, for the funeral of Princess Margaret who died last Saturday. Four-hundred fifty or so mourners, close family, and friends are already in the chapel, and then, after the service, which will take place in just about 10 minutes' time, Jack, the body of Princess Margaret will be taken to a local crematorium, where of course the final resting place will be back here at Windsor, in the crypt, along with her father, King George VI.

What we are now just waiting for literally any second now is the queen. What we are, of course, hoping to see is the condition of Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother. At 101, she's not been enjoying good health of late. The shot we're looking at the moment looks rather bare, of course. That was the roadway where the royal family has walked down. They've been gathering here at Windsor all morning in preparation for this funeral service. Princess Margaret decided, of course, the order of service, that she chose to have hymns, she chose the prayers, and it was her decision to actually be cremated, because here we have one of the major royals, probably the queen -- almost certainly the queen arriving at Windsor Castle. The flag on the top of the cartel tells us the seniority and significance of this arrival.

The queen was at Sandrium (ph) when of course -- and there is Queen Elizabeth, arriving along with Prince Philip, going in the side entrance to the chapel here at Windsor Castle. A very solemn moment for her majesty, of course burying her younger sister. No sign of the queen mother. We are wondering whether she has actually entered the chapel through a side entrance. So far we haven't seen any sign of the queen mother. The service is due to start in just about seven minutes' time, and then, of course, it will last about 45 minutes, when of course the body will be taken to the crematorium -- Jack.

CAFFERTY: The queen, as I understand it, had asked mother to remain at home, had she not, because of her health. The queen mother was at Sandrium, and by all accounts, yes, the queen begged almost, along with Prince Charles, begged the queen mother not to come here today because of the strain. Her health has not been good. To no avail, the queen mother insisted she wanted to be here, and so she helicoptered from Sandrium in Norfolk here to Windsor Castle for the burial service of her younger daughter -- Jack.

CAFFERTY: Richard Quest, thanks. Richard Quest, live outside of Windsor Castle, just outside the city of London.

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