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CNN Saturday Morning News

Throngs Gather to Glimpse Queen Mum on 101st Birthday

Aired August 04, 2001 - 09:16   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.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: In London this morning, they're lining the streets outside of Clarence House hoping to get a glimpse of the birthday girl, the queen mum, who is Prince Charles's grandmother. She turned 101 today.

And senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers is joining us live now from, I think, outside of Clarence House with the latest.

Good morning, Walter, or good afternoon to you.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Brian.

The royal birthday party for the queen mum with the royal family here at Clarence House has just about concluded. In a few moments, we may see Queen Elizabeth's limousine driving out, taking her back to Buckingham Palace, which is just about two football fields down the street.

In point of fact, it's been a lovely celebration for the royal family. The queen mother emerged earlier this morning from Clarence House, her official residence. She looked quite good considering the fact that she spent a day in hospital this past week. She'd had blood transfusions for anemia.

There were several thousand people around Clarence House trying to extend birthday wishes to her. At one point she got into the royal golf cart, the royal buggy, and slowly toured the lines in this area, lines of well-wishers. Many people pressed floral bouquets upon her, trying to wish her personally a happy birthday.

After that, there was a brief photo session with some members of the royal family, of course, her beloved grandson, Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne, Prince Charles's youngest (sic) son, Prince Harry. In the wheelchair was Princess Margaret, the queen mother's youngest daughter, that is sister to the current queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II.

This evening, the queen mother is hoping to go out to a bash of sorts, that is to say, we're told, she's going to the theater, which is traditionally the way the queen mother has celebrated her birthday, now for the better part of 101 years -- Brian.

NELSON: Walter, queen mum got out of the hospital after some treatment for a newly discovered case of anemia. And so did Prince Charles this morning, I understand. So what -- he fell off his horse yesterday. How is he doing?

RODGERS: He took a nasty tumble off one of his polo ponies. As you know, he's an avid polo player, even though doctors have suggested that he stop doing this competitively. Nonetheless, he was in a match out in Serancester (ph) in Glouscestershire. He took a tumble from the pony. Buckingham Palace said that Prince Charles actually became unconscious when he hit the ground for a brief period.

They say everything's all right now. He did spend the evening in hospital. Prince Charles now, however, is said to be completely recovered from that fall. He has had the sense of accident proneness over the years, but he's well now, he just had lunch with his grandmother, helping her celebrate her 101st birthday -- Brian.

NELSON: In fact, if I recall correctly, he broke an arm a few years ago falling off the horse.

Thanks, Walter, thank you for being with us. CNN Walter Rodgers...

RODGERS: He broke an arm in two...

NELSON: In two places? Oh, I'm sorry about the delay. Well...

RODGERS: Yes, in two places. He's had a broken rib, almost buried in an avalanche, you name it.

NELSON: OK, thanks. Walter Rodgers in London.

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