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CNN Live Event/Special

Queen Elizabeth II, The Public Pays Tribute; Interview with Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Queen Elizabeth II's Cousin; Interview with Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 14, 2022 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey welcome back. We are live in London where Senior members of the military are moving into position for the Royal Procession. They will carry the Queen's coffin through the city to Westminster Hall, which is where she will lie in state and that is where hundreds of thousands of her subjects are expected to come over the next several days to pay their respects. Joining us right now is Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, the Queen's cousin will be attending her funeral on Monday. Thanks so much for -- for being with us and I'm so sorry for your loss and your family's loss. How are -- how are everybody that you've been talking to, how -- how are you doing? How is the family?

CROWN PRINCE PAVLOS OF GREECE, COUSIN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II: I'm -- I'm fine. This is obviously been a shock to everybody but she had lived a wonderful life and 70 years of service to her nation. So I think it was time for her rest as well and I think if we all have the chance to live like herself and has been -- been Duke of Edinburgh and passing after a days work in peace, I think is something we would all look forward to.

COOPER: There's also some solace in the idea of them being together again.

PAVLOS: Yes.

COOPER: Obviously his death was a tremendous blow for -- for the country, certainly for -- for the family and for her in particular. It must be so gratifying to see the outpouring that we -- that you have seen over the last -- the last --

PAVLOS: I mean, I also wondered the speech and walked past the palace and where all the flowers have been placed. It is a most heartening experience to be honest with you, just to see the love that's out there and also the love that they're giving towards King Charles every time he drives by and the people have come out to -- to say hello and give their respects to what's happened. I -- I think it's a very good experience for the nation to be so united under these difficult times.

COOPER: Is -- is this the kind of thing, you know, many people have talked about King Charles has been preparing for his -- his entire life obviously, taking on this role and yet obviously when it happens, it's still, no matter how much you've prepared, it's still -- it's the loss of your mother. It is a great blow.

PAVLOS: Yes. It's -- I think one of the toughest things for somebody who had the position of being the next in line is that what you've been waiting for your whole life is also the saddest day of your life. And my -- my opportunity who got that opportunity very young in his life was probably more (inaudible) because he was such a young man in his 20s', but the Prince of Wales now King Charles III has had the best training. I think he's -- he's probably the best prepared cousin (ph) for this job. He knows his country backwards. They know him very well.

[08:35:09]

PAVLOS: He's been in touch with his nation and -- and beyond in the Commonwealth with all the charity work that he's done and -- and continued connection to the -- to the world. So I -- I think we could not be looking at a better person to take on the role of a Queen who is beyond people's understandings to how wonderful she really was.

COOPER: Do you have a favorite memory of Queen -- Queen Elizabeth?

PAVLOS: Well she was just one of the kindest people I knew, very, very kind to my family, my parents. Every time when you saw her she was with a smile -- a real interest in what was going on in one's life. I had the honor of serving in one her regiments the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and very special for me to have her as a (inaudible) chief and a special day, now that she's passed and to pay my respects to her, and she was very, very kind, knowledgeable about everything.

I had a bad car accident when I was a young officer and she knew before my parents knew that -- that I was on a very bad situation and he's informed her right away. A little comic relief, my father had been announced at, many years ago, in American and she asked when she was informed that he had passed away, how did this happen? And they said, we believe he committed suicide and she said absolutely not, he's too fond of himself, so yes -- so, you know, that's a person who knows other people very well.

COOPER: You've talked also about her sense of humor.

PAVLOS: Yes, so she -- she had a very good sense of humor, always knew how to make light of a situation when necessary but also very solemn and ready to prepare for anything that was thrown was her which happened on numerous occasions.

COOPER: Yes.

MAX FOSTER, CNN SENIOR ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: What do you think she -- she planned every moment of this whole mourning period, didn't she? And it's all being articulated to the minute really from what we can see, how would she feel looking -- looking at these things unfold (inaudible)?

PAVLOS: Well I think she'd probably be impressed it's going as smoothly as it is, as it's expected. I think the British capability of running things on time and -- and to the perfect moment, I think, she'll very, very impressed to -- to watch it work out. Everybody from individual (inaudible) on the street must be in full stress, making sure they don't step in the wrong place and make sure they do the right thing. But the honor of being there at the same time would be immense.

FOSTER: We talked about this being a -- a moment where, effectively, the family have to hand over the casket to the nation for this lying in state. This is something unique obviously to members of the Royal family. How does that -- how does that feel? How does that -- how do you relate to that? How does the nation relate to that?

PAVLOS: I think the family to a certain extent are probably used to that concept. Obviously, their mother and grandmother (inaudible) passed yet and -- and their grandfather due to COVID and what not, did not have this period of time. But their concept, I think, is sort of vaguely known to them and I suppose a lot of families do this anyway very often when you have a wake or whatever. People to come by and -- and -- and say good-bye, so I think it's a -- it's a -- it's a very nice period where everybody gets a chance to pay their respects to a certain extent and the family can have some time to themselves, to be ready for the last internment.

FOSTER: What will today mean to Prince William? He's obviously been elevated. He's now first in line to the thrown, which puts a lot more pressure on his shoulders. He's got more expectation on his shoulders and he needs to effectively step up doesn't he? He's now the --

PAVLOS: What I think -- since the slowing down of the -- of the Duke of Edinburgh, I feel it is now what five years or so. I think you've seen a -- a -- a link between her majesty the Prince of Wales house and Prince William's household, that they've really worked in a very close way and you see this continuance so the smoothness of how this is going to forward I think would immaculate, and I think they were somewhat more prepared in the last few years for an event of this to take place. The -- the stress of taking on that new role will obviously come in its own time, but I think he's well prepared for it.

FOSTER: And, is it heartening to you to see the brothers coming together in the name of the Queen today walking behind the coffin?

PAVLOS: I think it's always heartening to see a family coming united. The best thing is to -- to -- to show the -- the front being strong and let's work things out in the backrooms not in the front.

COOPER: It is extraordinary that the history of -- of the hall where the -- the Queen will be lying in -- in state and to have the opportunity of -- there's no telling how many people may come to see her over the next several days.

[08:40:07]

COOPER: I think the last time somebody lay in state was her mother and I think some 200,000 people came -- came to see. FOSTER: We should just point out the gun carriage is coming out.

This is going to be also bearing the Queen's coffin and the imperial state crown will be placed upon that. These, all the members of the military getting ready for the procession. So they're moving from the barracks just by the palace into presumably the Forecourt where the -- the Royal family will take their positions behind --

(CROSSTALK)

PAVLOS: This -- this is, you know, going to be a memory that both stand with them and with us watching it for -- forever. Seventy years of service is -- is exceptional in any part -- in any persons life.

COOPER: And to be serving up until the very end, I mean --

PAVLOS: Literally the very end.

COOPER: -- seeing the -- the Prime Minister, welcoming the new Prime Minister just two days before.

PAVLOS: And that's an interesting point, as a young queen she was received -- or she -- she received her Prime Minister being Winston Churchill an older gentleman who served many years, and now we have an older gentleman as the King receiving the new Prime Minister who is a young lady. So we've swapped those two roles.

COOPER: Yes.

PAVLOS: I think both work very well and I think the country will do well in both cases, but it's interesting how it's happened.

COOPER: Yes. Of course Winston Churchill lay in state as well at Westminster Hall. Prince Pavlos of Greece, thank you so much for -- for coming by and talking with us, appreciate it.

PAVLOS: You're welcome.

COOPER: We are closing in on the start of the processional. The entrance of the Royal family straight ahead. We'll hear from people waiting in line for hours and days to see the Queen lay in state. Plus an interview with the Mayor of London, back in a moment.

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[08:45:09]

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DON LEMON, CNN HOST: Here at Buckingham Palace, last preparations are underway for an extraordinary Royal procession that begins very soon. Crowds are lining the streets to see the Queen's coffin move from her London home to Westminster Hall, with King Charles and other Royals walking behind in silent tribute. Beautiful live pictures here in London at Buckingham Palace. I want to get back to huge lines of people waiting to pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall. CNN's -- CNN's Bianca Nobilo is going to join us in just a moment and

as we watch these pictures, let me bring in my colleagues here Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Anchor and Richard Quest a -- an International Anchor as well. The pictures, welcome to the program Christiane. Have you been able to watch any of the pictures? You were out in the crowds with the folks as well, what are -- what are you seeing there?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well look, yes, of course and of course we've been covering this, CNN's coverage has been amazing. Like the rest of the nation is -- is covering this and of course it's not just a -- a news event, right? It's a massively choreographed transition and farewell to a woman who has had a stature that no one has ever known in the world, and will likely not know again. These 70 years on the throne are incredible. I guess I'm really touched by the fact that she would emerge, you know, in death, in her coffin from the very doors, the very gates, the very arches in this historic place for the royalty, you know, for the last time.

Where this is where she went over and over and over again, in and out in the Royal carriages for parliament, openings, for her birthday celebrations. This route that her coffin now will travel is almost like a Royal route, comes out, goes down the mall. You've seen these flags that -- that are lining or the people (inaudible) horse guards parade and then crucially I think, given her -- her link from -- to -- to the, you know, to the war she will go Whitehall where all the ministries, defense, foreign, Commonwealth and the Commonwealth.

LEMON: You are looking at the beginning of the procession as we watch, you see the Queen Consort there in the back of -- of the limousine. You can't see on the other side, who's with her but there you see the beginning of the procession as -- as folks here in London say good-bye to their Queen. Richard, do you want to add something?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Various divisions of the household covering the household division and the King's lifeguard are now in place. The members of the Royal family are arriving. There you have, of course, the Duchess, the -- the Princess of Wales will be there, the Duchess of Sussex. They will all be traveling in cars behind the gun carriage and the principle royals who will be walking behind.

LEMON: It will be, the procession especially, of course, the King, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince William, also Prince Harry as well and others will be walking. So we'll continue to watch these pictures but, you know, this is momentous day. It's a day of mourning in the UK capital and CNN's Bianca Nobilo spoke moments ago with the Mayor of London. Here it is.

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BIANCA NOBILO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Mayor, thank you so much for making time for us. Your office is obviously heavily involved in the planning of an event like this. The scale is almost unprecedented. Is London ready? MAYOR SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON: We are. It is unprecedented. I

mean, the world has not seen a funeral like this. She was loved, revered, a monarch for more than 70 years. We've got police officers from around the country. We've got the armed forces. We've got stewards and others because people that pay their last respects to her Majesty the Queen. We have been (inaudible) for some time now but able to see her majesty laid in state. She will be leaving Buckingham Palace for her last time, just after 2pm. Our King and the immediate family will be following behind by foot and they arrive at Westminster Hall at 3pm and along the route you will see literally hundreds of thousands of people paying their respects to her Majesty the Queen.

Personal for many people, we all have our own relationships with her Majesty and then she'll lay in state for the next five days before the state funeral on Monday.

[08:50:09]

KHAN: And we expect to see over the course of the next few days hundreds of thousands of people personally pay their respects to her Majesty the Queen but also we expect to see Prime Ministers, presidents, members of the Royal family and others from across the globe come to pay their respects (inaudible) in London. She was born in London, her Majesty and we're really proud that she was back home in London. Clearly she had a huge amount of affection for Balmoral and Windsor and on Monday, of course, she'll be leaving London for the last time going to -- to Windsor Castle.

NOBILO: I mean, you've been speaking to members of the public in the queue. There a huge Commonwealth presence. How does this make you feel as the Mayor of London as the world's eyes are on London right now? What it's capable of and what it does best?

KHAN: I was somebody born and raised in London. So my parents came from Pakistan, my grandparents from India. She was our Queen and the wonderful thing about her Majesty and Queen, not only was she our Queen, I speak as the Mayor of London. I -- I speak British, but the Queen -- the Commonwealth but also people aren't members of the Commonwealth. So her as their Queen, she was the continuity during the course of their lives and of course the globe. Presidents come and go. Prime Ministers come and go. Some members of respectable families come and go. She was (inaudible), but the really reassuring thing is our King, King Charles III have the best possible mentor and the best possible apprenticeship and that's why I'm so confident he will be a wonderful King and that's just from our city, is Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II, long live King Charles III. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right, that is our Bianca Nobilo with the Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn. This is a momentous day for everyone, especially the mayor. This is happening in his city. I'm back now with CNN's Anchors Richard Quest and also Christiane Amanpour, and Christiane, as we watch these pictures it's important to point out that before the -- the Queen Consort Camilla going into the palace, preparing for the procession to come out with the King. We couldn't see whether the King is with her but we're not exactly sure he was in the car.

AMANPOUR: Exactly and I -- I think that when, you know, the whole procession comes out, one of the things that's really resonate is that it goes down, this whole prescribed route that's essentially a Royal route. We're here at the palace and then there's The Mall, there is Trafalgar Square, where Nelson's Colony is but they're not going through that. They -- they go by the Royal Post Guard's parade and then in -- in -- in, you know, to Whitehall where all the big ministries are, but not just the ministries the symbol of -- of war and sacrifice.

So one of the main fixtures every year for the Queen and her family was to go to The Cenotaph in Whitehall there and to pay tribute to the war dead. And this is important because she is the last link to that generation and everybody's talking about that service that she did and the span of history from what her son called, the terrible privation and devastation of war to the modern era.

LEMON: Yes. And we are standing by for the events throughout the day here, the Royal Procession is about to begin. We're going to see the Queen's coffin and the Royal family move into position. That's going to happen very soon. We're going to squeeze in a very quick break. CNN's live coverage continues in just a moment.

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[08:55:10]

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LEMON: We're live everyone at Buckingham Palace where the Royal Family and the British people are about to take part in a powerful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. As you can see there crowds are growing, it's just minutes to go before the Royal Procession begins. I have pictures now from London. The Queen's coffin will be moved from the palace through the streets of London to Westminster Hall and that is where the Queen will lie in state until her funeral happens on Monday. While members of the public pay their respects to the only monarch most of them have ever known in their lifetime. Beautiful shot, the city of London right there. I'm Don Lemon at Buckingham Palace.

COOPER: And I'm Anderson Cooper in London overlooking the processional route. We're going to bring you every moment of what promises really to be an extraordinary and emotional day. The procession will begin, as Don said, at Buckingham Palace, move down the -- the Mall to Westminster with Royal Family members walking behind the Queen's coffin, will turn by the Horse Guard's Parade Ground, traveling down Whitehall. Past number 10 Downing Street, Parliament Square until they arrive outside Westminster Hall and the Palace of Westminster.

Leading the procession on foot King Charles III, he'll be joined by his siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew will be there, as well as Prince Edward, also his sons Prince William and Prince Harry reunited in this somber moment of grief. Walking together as they did when their mother Princess Diana died many years ago. Also walking in the procession, Princess Anne's husband Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence and her son Peter Phillips, the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon.

Traveling behind them by car the King's wife, the Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William's wife Katherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry's wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Edward's wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. I'm joined by CNN's Royal Correspondent Max Foster and once again Royal Historian Kate Williams. Such, I mean it is such an extraordinary moment when you realize not only the history of the day but also just the -- the drama within this family that has been going on, to see the family reunited in grief.

[09:00:00]