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American Morning

Thousands Line Streets To Celebrate Queen Mother's Life

Aired April 09, 2002 - 08:56   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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: As we showed you earlier, thousands gathered today for the funeral of Britain's Queen Mother. A grand lady often referred to as the nation's favorite grandmother. Ordinary citizens and tourists joined foreign royals, heads of state, and dozens of members of the British royal family to say good-bye.

CNN's Richard Quest covered the service, and the remarkable outpouring of affection from the British public. He joins us now -- Richard.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, yes, indeed, good afternoon from London. Forgive me if I raise my voice, but I'm now having to compete with the pealing bells from Westminster Abbey and, of course, the cleanup operation after this extraordinary funeral.

By any standard, this was Britain at its best, as the royal family, the British royal family, said good-bye to the Queen Mother. The hearse currently carrying the coffin, along with the crown of the Queen Mother, is now making its way from London to Windsor Castle, where the coffin will be interred next to that of George VI, the queen's late husband. Also will be interred will be the ashes of Princess Margaret, her youngest daughter who died about seven weeks ago.

The hearse is now just making the final stages of that trip to Windsor. It is a distance of about 23 miles, and what the authorities said is, it will take as long as the number of people who came out to see it, and judging by the pictures that we're now seeing, several thousands, tens of thousands of people, did line the route to see -- to pay their last respects, as it makes its final journey.

Now, Anderson, back here in London, what we saw was a ceremony of extraordinary somber beauty. The music, the dignity, the pace, it was absolutely a funeral fit for a queen. And Queen Elizabeth had, indeed, chosen all the hymns and prayers. The mood of the dignitaries was quite extraordinary. And yet, at the same time, remembering what Queen Elizabeth herself had said to the nation last night, this was not to be just tinged with sadness, this was to be a celebration of the life of Queen Elizabeth and, of course, the 20th century through which she spanned -- Anderson.

COOPER: Richard, as you mentioned, it was a celebration of her life. What was it about the Queen Mother that made her so beloved in England? QUEST: I think two things -- well, numerous things. One's quite overcome by the whole event. Numerous things. First of all, the sense of duty, dedication, and what the queen called the infectious zest for life.

The Queen Mother didn't put a foot wrong, and over the last decade, when so much has been written about the younger royal family and the scandals of the royal family, the queen mother always just came out beautifully attired with three strings of pearls, the light pastel colors, the big hat, and she just always smiled. You know, she was, to some extent, we can say this now, she was public relations personified in terms of the royal family. She didn't put a foot wrong, always knew the right way to smile.

And now, the hearse is making its entrance, the last few miles, Anderson, towards Windsor. It is going through the streets of Windsor, it will be at the castle in a matter of moments. Thereafter, the private committal, the private internment, which will take place this evening with the royal family.

COOPER: All right, Richard. Thanks very much for joining us this morning.

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