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American Morning

News Making Headlines 'Over There'

Aired August 30, 2002 - 07:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, tomorrow, marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was killed in that now-famous car crash, one of those dates etched in everyone's memory, particularly those who live in Great Britain.
Richard Quest joins us this morning from "Over There." He is in Diana's childhood home of Althorp, England.

Richard -- nice to have you with us.

How are the folks in your country remembering this woman five years after that awful car crash that took her life?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Jack.

Yes, it's one of those events, and she was one of those people that in this country -- and I think pretty much around the world -- everybody remembers where they were and what they were doing the day they heard that Diana had passed away or had been killed in that car crash.

This is Althorp, the family ancestral home -- it goes back to the 16th century -- where Diana lived from 1975, when her father became the Earl Spencer. Now, of course, her brother has the title.

And what's interesting about here is, of course, and the reason why it has now become such a popular place, Jack, is that this is actually where Diana is buried. And around 2,000 people a day pay up to $15 to come and visit here.

Now, obviously, the numbers have gone down to some extent in the five years, but it's fascinating, Jack, that so many people every day still do come here. And all morning, we've seen a steady stream of visitors coming here. Some have been carrying flowers, because it is the fifth anniversary.

Now, Jack, you just mentioned a moment or two ago, this is it. This is the book that has caused such phenomenal controversy at the moment. It is the book that was written by this man. His name is Kenneth Wharfe, and he was Diana's personal royal protector and officer (ph).

This is the equivalent of the Secret Service writing about the private affairs and...

CAFFERTY: Well, I apologize. We apparently have lost the satellite to Richard Quest. He was talking about this book -- do we have him back yet? All right. Let's go back to him.

Richard, I'm sorry, we lost the bird there for a moment. Please continue.

QUEST: Well, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) conspiracy theorists, you know (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

(CROSSTALK)

CAFFERTY: Nothing personal, Richard.

QUEST: ... and the satellite goes out. All right.

Listen, let me read one bit: "After Harry was born, our marriage just died. What could I do? I tried. I almost" -- I mean, this is -- it is absolute tittle-tattle from one of the princess' closest bodyguards. But that is the big scandal book at the moment.

One other thing to mention, Jack, and I've got time, of course, here at Althorp, it wouldn't be a British family home if there weren't souvenirs. And they're quite tastefully done this time. This is your Althorp breakfast tea, and this is your Althorp chocolate. And I'm pleased to say there's not a mention of Diana on either.

CAFFERTY: You know, but for the fact that it's a different country and a few days removed, you could be standing in front of the gates to Graceland, talking about the anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. There are figures that come and go that occasionally touch people in a peculiar and lasting way, and obviously, she was one of those.

Richard, nice to have you with us. My apologies for the brief interruption. We'll see you in one week, sir.

Richard Quest, "Over There."

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