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New Day
Britain Mourns Queen Elizabeth, The Longest-Serving Monarch; Sports World Pays Tribute To Queen Elizabeth; King Charles III To Address World As Britain's New King. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired September 09, 2022 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:30:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD GRIFFIN, FORMER ROYAL PROTECTION OFFICER: We never let on. And we waved goodbye. And Her Majesty said to me, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he shows those photographs to the friends in America.
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DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Max Foster back with me now. I understand she had a wicked sense of humor.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's certain and she hid that in public. And that was deliberate because she didn't want to show any emotion ever. She wanted to be this neutral figure. And that speaks to how seriously she took her role.
But she is reputed to have had a very big sense of humor in the background. You always saw her laughing. The only time I ever saw it was at the races.
LEMON: Yes.
FOSTER: That was the one time she let go. She loved her horses and whenever she was with horses she would smile.
LEMON: But didn't she do -- I mean, where there were things that she wanted to promote or for big events she would often -- wouldn't she do things with sort of comical sort of things or spoofs that she would do like walking around the castle?
FOSTER: Well, she was genius, wasn't she, on the two jubilees.
LEMON: Yes.
FOSTER: The time with Daniel Craig --
LEMON: Right.
FOSTER: -- when he picks her up at the palace and they jump out of a helicopter. No, that was the Olympics. And the recent jubilee was with Paddington Bear. LEMON: Yes. So you saw some of her humor.
FOSTER: Yes.
LEMON: Paddington Bear I think is the one that I was talking about.
FOSTER: Yes, and it's about something that everyone loves. You're not offending anyone. And that's interesting about Prince Charles and Prince William weren't even told about that.
LEMON: Yes.
FOSTER: It was a very small group and the queen very much oversaw it.
LEMON: Yes.
Well, she really had affection for the Obamas and the Obamas have a sense of humor and they can be very playful and very affectionate. And she was drawn to that. They were drawn to each other.
FOSTER: Absolutely. And Prince William sparked up a really strong friendship with the Obamas and they speak quite often I think. And they've got lots of common interests. And it will be interesting to see who comes to the state funeral. I think certainly, the Obamas were pretty high up the list.
LEMON: I'm glad you mentioned that because we were just talking to Arlette Saenz and she said that the Bidens -- the current president and first lady have not decided or they don't know if they're going to come. But they don't know when the funeral is going to be I would imagine. That has to be arranged --
FOSTER: Yes.
LEMON: -- before they can make that decision.
FOSTER: And we keep asking and they are trying to figure that out. And I think for all those heads of state's diaries they desperately want to know. So I think we'll find out pretty soon.
It's going to be in Windsor, likely, and it will be in the chapel, and there's limited space. You know, the -- it was the wedding of Meghan and Harry that you remember. It was about the same space.
LEMON: Yes. We covered it together.
FOSTER: Yes, absolutely. And they've got to fit the whole family in. They've got endless public figures in the United Kingdom but certainly, all the key heads of state will be invited -- particularly, obviously, the Realms.
LEMON: All right, Max Foster, stand by. Max is going to be with me. He's going to be my co-anchor throughout the day here on CNN.
All right. John, I'm going to throw it back to you in New York. JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes -- and watching these events unfold -- it is history. So much of this, no one has ever seen and that's what I think the next few days is going to hold for so many people of the world. Thanks, Don.
So, how the world and now, more specifically, the world of sports is responding to the passing of the queen.
(COMMERCIAL)
[05:37:41]
BERMAN: The world of sports paying to tribute to Queen Elizabeth on the day of her death. While many leagues in the U.K. are postponing games in honor of the queen, tributes poured in for the longest- service British monarch.
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BERMAN: In Milan, Great Britain's men's basketball team sang the British National Anthem before the EuroBasket game. And Manchester United held a moment of silence before their game in the Europa League. The players wore black arm bands to show support for the monarch.
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NFL ANNOUNCER: Please join in a moment of silence in the memory of Queen Elizabeth, whose message of unity and peace --
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BERMAN: The NFL kicked off its season opener in California with a moment of silence, asking to honor her message of unity and peace that inspired the world for generations.
Famed Brazilian soccer player Pele posted these iconic images. This picture of him alongside Queen Elizabeth when she visited Brazil in 1968, writing, "This legacy will last forever."
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us now are co-hosts of the Royally Obsessed podcast, Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie. They also co-wrote "Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family." Thank you so much to both of you for being with us.
Roberta, as you're watching this -- as royal enthusiasts -- royal watchers are seeing how all of this is playing out, what's been on your mind?
ROBERTA FIORITO, CO-HOST, "ROYALLY OBSESSED" PODCAST, CO-AUTHOR, "ROYAL TRIVIA: YOUR GUIDE TO THE MODERN BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY": I mean, we're absolutely gutted. I think a 70-year reign -- the longest reigning monarch in British history -- nothing can compare to that. And she is one of, if not the most iconic figure of the modern era. And so, to see this transition unfold before us, it feels historic and it feels like nothing can ever compare to what we're experiencing right now.
BERMAN: And Rachel, I was talking to you in the break picking your brain and your vast area of knowledge here. This is your job. I mean, you talk every week about the queen and the royal family, yet you tell me you still weren't ready for this.
[05:40:00]
RACHEL BOWIE, CO-HOST, "ROYALLY OBSESSED" PODCAST, CO-AUTHOR, "ROYAL TRIVIA: YOUR GUIDE TO THE MODERN BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY": Roberta and I were so stunned when it happened, I think especially because we had just seen her on Tuesday swearing in the prime minister, Liz Truss. And we had commented on the podcast about the queen looked frail but she looked colorful. She looked -- you know, just to see her out, it was quite a rapid turn of events.
KEILAR: And Rachel, how are you watching this next era of the monarchy unfold with Charles at the helm?
BOWIE: I mean, I think that we are definitely very curious. Roberta and I have talked quite a bit about it. I mean, Charles has some very interesting causes that he cares so much about -- sustainability, environmentalism. He's also been really vocal about slimming down the monarchy. So I think we're really excited but also have that tempered optimism about what might unfold.
BERMAN: And Roberta, you guys are royal watchers. I mean, you watch every move. What are you watching for today and over the next week?
FIORITO: Well, today, I think we will see King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla travel from Balmoral to London. They're making their way there now if they haven't left already. And we will see an address from the new king later today, a gun salute, bells ringing across London, services, and just an outpouring of grief from the public.
I think we've seen the protocol for where to leave floral arrangements near palaces. They're going to be moving them to Hyde Park. So, just a nation and a world in mourning.
KEILAR: Roberta, there's so much curiosity from many Americans -- not all Americans but a lot of Americans find the monarchy, found Queen Elizabeth so intriguing and they watch this was such interest and curiosity. Why do you -- why do you think that is?
FIORITO: I mean, I think it's interesting she was never meant to be queen. Her uncle abdicated when she was 10 years old. And then she ascended the throne when she was only 25. And so, to think that this person has reigned over not only the U.K. but 14 other countries, 54 commonwealth countries for 70 years -- I mean, I think there's something so fascinating. Not only the longest reigning British monarch, as I said, but also a female head of state, which we won't probably see again in our lifetime.
BERMAN: Yes, it's interesting. We were hearing, Rachel, from Max Foster, our royal correspondent, who said King Charles -- king for all of one day -- is about to have to give the biggest speech of his life.
BOWIE: Oh, absolutely.
BERMAN: Right. This will be the biggest moment of his life when he speaks to the people of the United Kingdom as king for the first time.
I wonder what questions you have not just about him but about the family now going forward?
BOWIE: I think my biggest question is how they will adapt the queen's famous never complain-never explain policy. I think that there have been many moments, in particular, over the last couple of years with the Sussexes and with Prince Andrew where we would have liked to hear much more than we did from the monarchy. So, I think Charles -- that's my biggest question I think, is will that evolve?
KEILAR: Roberta and Rachel, thank you so much. We know that you are watching these events unfold with so much interest as are so many Americans, and we appreciate your time this morning.
FIORITO: Thank you so much.
BOWIE: Thank you.
KEILAR: You're about to hear from the new king -- King Charles III. What is he going to say to a mourning nation, and what will his new role mean for his country and the world? This is CNN special live coverage.
(COMMERCIAL)
[05:48:10]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The party is about to start, your majesty.
PADDINGTON BEAR: Happy jubilee, ma'am, and thank you for everything.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: That's very kind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was one of the moments that Max and I were just talking about just a short time ago. Paddington Bear helping the queen celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. That was earlier this year.
Moments from now, we are expecting the hear the first public remarks from the new king of England, Charles -- King Charles III. Interesting to say that, right?
In the wake of Queen Elizabeth's passing, what is next for the monarchy? Well, the perfect person is here to discuss that. Joining me now is John Quelch, CBE. He was personally appointed as commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate you being with us, John.
Tell us about your relationship with the queen.
JOHN QUELCH, APPOINTED COMMANDER OF ORDER OF BRITISH EMPIRE BY QUEEN ELIZABETH: Don, I met the queen on three occasions and most memorably, as you said, to receive an award at Buckingham Palace.
LEMON: Yes. So, how are you doing after her death? Where were you when you heard the news?
QUELCH: I was in my office in Miami and, of course. It was an occasion that was anticipated but the speed with which we went from her receiving the new prime minister of the United Kingdom to hearing of her death -- the speed with which that occurred was a shock.
LEMON: John, if you -- if you speak to folks here that -- I've just spoken to a few since I've gotten in the country -- some in London -- and they said she promised to serve us for her entire life and she did up until the end.
[05:50:09]
Can you talk to us about the queen's work ethic, even to the end, during her long reign?
QUELCH: As you said, Don, she was working right up to the end and only a couple of days ago, of course, appointed the new prime minister.
This is a consummate servant leader. She modeled servant leadership. And it's really interesting I think that one of the most prominent and wealthy people in the world would take on the role of servant leader. And basically, her whole life was, as you said, dedicated to the duty and responsibility that she felt in that regard.
And I think the values that she generated and projected in this vein are ones that King Charles will wish to acknowledge and channel on behalf of a grieving nation when he addresses the nation later.
LEMON: You know, John, she was the queen, right? One of the most recognizable figures -- most famous people on earth. And yet, people here still found her to be approachable and real. Why is that?
QUELCH: In my own interaction with her, Don, I found that she was always very well-briefed, asked excellent, succinct questions, but had a great capacity to listen. And though -- although she may have spoken relatively few words in our conversations one always left feeling that one had had a personal connection with Queen Elizabeth. It's a skill that is central to effective leadership in any field, but she modeled it incredibly well.
LEMON: What do you think is next for the monarchy, John?
QUELCH: Well, Prince Charles is, as king now, going to address the nation and there are perhaps three things that he has to do. One, he has to, Don, channel the grief of a nation as the now new head
of the royal family. The second thing that he has to do I think is affirm his commitment as the son of his mother to the values and sense of responsibility that she stood for.
Perhaps, thirdly, it's important to note that he has to address not just the citizens of the United Kingdom but those of all commonwealth nations of which there are 54 -- and, in particular, there are 14 other countries where the king is now the head of state. And those constituents are as important, in many respects, to the health of the monarchy as the citizens of the United Kingdom.
And then, I would say, finally, he has to affirm his commitment to some of the core principles of the British monarchy in the context of the British government system. Notably, the importance of staying out of politics on a daily basis.
The queen was, perhaps next to or alongside the Pope, the most prominent apolitical figure on the public stage worldwide, and that apolitical nature of the way which she saw her role was a core reason I think for her continuity and for the loyalty with which all people viewed her.
I think that it's just amazing, Don, that in this moment of grief that we see tributes coming from Beijing where President Xi, for example, acknowledged that the queen visited China in 1986. We see tributes coming from Moscow where President Putin comments on her authority on the world stage. This is a remarkable --
LEMON: We see it --
QUELCH: -- a remarkable person who has united the world in her death.
LEMON: Yes. We see it coming from all over the world. She is the one constant -- 70 years in that role. The one constant when it comes to world leaders.
[05:55:00]
John Quelch, thank you very much. And pardon me -- I haven't had much sleep -- but I'm sorry for your loss. I should have said that in the beginning. We appreciate you joining us here on CNN. You be well. Thanks so much.
QUELCH: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: So, from the Rolling Stones and Elton John to Janet Jackson and Harry Styles, the world's biggest stars are paying their respects to the world's longest-serving queen.
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HARRY STYLES, MUSICIAN: Please join me in a round of applause for 70 years of service.
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL)
