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Hala Gorani Tonight
Duchess of Sussex Gives Birth to Baby Boy; U.S. Deploying Strike Group to Send Clear Message to Iran; No Plans to Suspend Sukhoi Superjet After Crash. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired May 06, 2019 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hi, everyone. Welcome. I'm Robyn Curnow.
I'm here at the CNN center filling in for my colleague, Hala.
So Tonight --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX, UK: Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. A very health boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly
well. It's been the most amazing experience.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: It's a boy. Prince Harry as you can see there, all smiles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcome their first child. And the U.S. says
it's sending a clear and unmistakable message to Iran as it deploys a warship to the Middle East. Also investigations are under way into what
caused a Russian passenger jet to crash land and then burst into flames. These images killing 41 people on board. All of that and much more.
But we begin with exciting news from the UK. After much anticipation and speculation, the newest Royal baby has finally made his debut and they
welcomed their first child early this morning London time, a baby boy. He weighed in at seven pounds, three ounces. And both mom and child are doing
well as you heard Prince Harry say there. Prince Harry telling reporters he's over the moon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY: Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience
I could ever have possibly managed how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful
to all the love and support for everybody out there, from everybody out there, it's been amazing. Just wanted to share this with everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about names? Are you still thinking about names?
PRINCE HARRY: Still thinking about names. The baby is a little bit overdue. So we've had a little bit of time to think about it. But we're
still -- that's the next bit for us. We'll be seeing you guys in probably two days time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys
so everyone can see the baby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every birth is amazing, but for your own child --
PRINCE HARRY: I haven't been at many births. This is my first birth. It's amazing. Incredibly. As I said, I'm so proud of my wife and as every
father and parent would ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for. I'm over the
moon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: Of course he's going to say that. Really happy dad there, Max Foster joining me now live from Windsor. This little tyke, doesn't have a
name yet. Talk us through the information that we do have. How long ago, about 14 hours ago he was born?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Early morning was born 5:00 a.m., roughly. Went into labor this morning as well. Actually had the
baby quite quickly and all the indications are that she had a home birth as we were led to believe she wanted because we can't actually see any windows
of opportunity for them to have left the park here and gone out to the nearest hospital which is 15 miles away. We think it was a home birth.
The palace saying that's a private manner. Also to give the public and the media the information that we're looking for, the whole world is excited
about this moment. And that appearance was unplanned. We weren't told about that beforehand. That was something that Harry clearly decided he
wanted to do in the excitement of the moment. So a TV camera was hustled, up they went and that interview came out. It goes to show that things went
well, the baby is well, as he said. All good news.
CURNOW: There's not a lot of detail being released because of Harry and his family past with the media and they're making an effort to keep this to
themselves.
FOSTER: They are. Harry has got a very contentious relationship with the media. He's talked about tabloid media but more recently he's talking
about mainstream media and the issues. But at the same time he understands he needs to work with the mainstream media. The reason we're not going to
see any pictures is that they want to celebrate privately.
[14:05:00] So a small pool of cameras and media, very similar to what you saw today, will be invited to go back to the castle in a couple of days to
capture the family for the first time. We should have a name by then. The suggestion that they haven't resolved that yet, is they're having a
discussion about it. Maybe Meghan lobbying for American names, Harry lobbying for British names.
CURNOW: And I'm sure they have to confer with the Queen. The easel was put out at Buckingham Palace. It's not just about Instagram, is it?
FOSTER: No, they set up this Instagram page ahead of the birth. We assumed that a lot of the announcements of it would come out there on
there. And then they used more traditional notes. The easel was interesting because it does suggest to me that they are not going
completely off grid as some have suggested in doing things if their own way. They will give nods to tradition as well.
That's a very traditional form of announcing a birth. That was interesting. If the Queen does offer a title, Prince, for example, they'll
take that title instead of going off grid as it were as Princess Ann did in the past and make no titles for her children at all. We'll have his Royal
highness Prince XXX of Sussex. That's how we will know him or there might be an Earldom on the way.
CURNOW: I know the bookies are coming up with a few options, you've been looking at them. What are the top names that people are discussing here?
FOSTER: I think James, Arthur, Albert, all the usual ones. I do think, you look at these lists that the U.K. bookmakers are coming out with, they
have no intelligence whatsoever, but I think they're missing out these American names. I do think -- she's shown how patriotic she can be. She's
in no rush to take U.K. citizenship. When people are aboard and they -- the family is aboard, they become more patriotic.
I think she's going to push for an American name. Complete speculation again. And that allowing -- having the baby here in this tradition it
would be nice I think for her side of the family to have a nod to American culture as well and find an American name. There are plenty. You
suggested one of them, Robyn, that work for both countries.
CURNOW: I think somebody said, yes, Alexander because of the connection between Alexander Hamilton and I think that's also Alexandra is one of the
Queen's middle names. Your guess is as good as mine. I know that Anna Stewart is there on the streets nearby where you are, Max, and Anna, you
have been throwing out this question to a number of folks. No doubt, it's a happy time for people there. With Brexit and all of that, this is
welcome news, isn't it?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: It really is. The circus has been in town in Windsor. Flashbacks really of the Royal wedding last year seen a lot of
the same familiar faces. We've had not one but two town criers in all of their regalia and big bells and big voices. There have been songs,
singing, it's quieted down a little bit. I think a lot of people have left for the day. But I'll step aside, because you'll see what's known as crazy
corner by the Royal fans themselves.
They've left it for now. They've gone to get American pie and fish and chips to celebrate the Royal baby. And I have been catching up with them
all day, they've been here for about two weeks some of them. Take a listen to one lady. She thought it was going to be a baby girl, but she came
prepared.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNE DAILEY, ROYAL FAN: I had all the paraphernalia for a girl. But I'm over the moon. You have a new American Prince.
STEWART: It might be not be a Prince because the Queen would have to give this baby boy the title, and we don't know whether she will. Would you
like her to?
DAILEY: We'll have to see what her majesty bestows upon on the child first. Let's wait and see but I'd rather think Marvin, Earl is a nice
name, American name. I like that as a Commonwealth name.
STEWART: What if this baby ends up with a title of Earl and it might be Earl, Earl. And that's a bit of a tongue twister.
[14:10:00] DAILEY: It could be after EE for sure, a telephone company in England. I'm tipsy I don't normally drink ever, but this is a great cause
for celebration. Wet the baby's head.
STEWART: Complete madness. How long have you been here waiting for this moment?
DAILEY: I've started this process two weeks ago on her majesty's 93rd birthday. It's been going on quite some time. Everybody has been on the
edge of their seat. But I suspect in America you'll make a film about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: If that doesn't convey the excitement, I'm not quite sure what will. And frankly it's because so many fans have been here for days, even
the ones that haven't been here in person, have been waiting for days for the news and so much came. It's not that she's been in labor, but the
Duchess has the baby and it was a boy, and Prince Harry coming out to speak to people has been exciting.
CURNOW: And she had gone deep into that bottle of campaign. And the crazy corner having a pint because this is of course England. But the fact that
an American, that Meghan is an America, that seems to be that a lot of English people have said, that's OK. We're welcoming her into our family.
STEWART: It really is. And also it adds to Prince Harry's story. A lot of fascination with Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex is it completes
the story of Prince Harry that we have followed for years ago. No one can forget seeing Prince Harry as a young child following his mother's coffin.
Since he's met Meghan Markle, everybody has been so excited about the next chapters in his story, an American, an actress, mixed race, there's so many
firsts here. It really opened up the Royal family. There's a lot of excitement here.
I think people love the fact that she's American and it's something new and fresh and, in a way, accessible. Robyn?
CURNOW: Certainly is. Thank you so much. We will talk about the name, no doubt, over and over again in the next few days until we get one.
Kate Williams is in London, she's a Royal historian and author and exciting times for you as well because you really understand the lineage here, where
does this baby boy fall in terms of the throne?
KATE WILLIAMS, ROYAL HISTORIAN: This is a really thrilling day. It's very exciting. We have had a lot of Royal babies over the last few years.
You've had George, Charlotte, Louie and now this little one. That is quite a long way from the throne. And he will be pushed down by the children
eventually of Louie and Charlotte and George. He will probably end up about 15th or 16th or farther from the throne eventually.
But he's a significant individual even though he's only a few hours old today, he's the first dual American citizen as you were saying, the first
biracial Royal baby and some Royals have been small -- quite private lives. But I don't think this is going to be the case. This is a child born to
two global celebrities, the world's love for Harry is really strong and Meghan is so famous as well.
They've talked about using the -- their platform for global initiatives and you see the avalanche of tweets from famous people across the world,
Michelle Obama. And this child is not going to be just a minor role, but a global celebrity and will not live an ordinary life.
CURNOW: And also, let's not forget, that this is -- would have been the fourth grandchild for Diana, Princess of Wales.
WILLIAMS: That's right. His mother the same age as Meghan now and now he's giving birth. That's part of the joy we saw. When we saw Prince
Harry come out today and say how he was so thrilled, so over the moon, wonderful, I really felt that was very important and so many of us who have
been watching Prince Harry, he's had a hard time.
[14:15:00] I know he lives a wealthy life, but it's been tough on him losing his mother so young. I feel that was so heartening to see him
finding happiness and obviously that Diana now has her fourth grandchild. When we saw William talking about his mother in particular in 2017. He
talked about how he puts picture of Diana all over the House so his children will remember that they have this grandma who's no longer with us
and I think that's exactly what Harry will do.
CURNOW: Just before we go, the Queen, I've lost track. What number great grandchild is this little guy? She would have been the first to be told.
What number great grandchild is this little guy? She would have been the first to be told.
WILLIAMS: Yes, the Queen is the first to be told. Even though it seemed that Instagram was the first to know, the Queen is the first to be
informed. She has to be the first to be informed because this baby is Royal. It is in line to the throne. It is a significant -- very
significant person. And, yes, the Queen has a huge family, quite a lot of grandchildren, more to come from other members of the Royal family I'm
sure. But Harry is a favorite of the Queen. She absolutely adores him. She is so devoted to him and this baby will be a favorite of hers.
CURNOW: Kate Williams here, Royal historian and author. Appreciate it.
Still to come tonight, sending a powerful message to Iran. We'll see why the United States is deploying this aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
Also a Russian plane makes a crash landing and bursts into flames. Dozens were killed. We'll look at where the investigation stands on that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: Michael Cohen is now a prison inmate. Cohen began serving a three-year sentence today. He pleaded guilty to a series of crimes
including lying to Congress and making hush money payments on behalf of President Trump in violation of campaign finance laws. Cohen took one
final shot at the President before reporting to prison.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER ATTORNEY TO DONALD TRUMP: I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends, that the country will be in a place without
xenophobia, injustice and lies at the helm of our country. There still remains much to be told. And I look forward to the day that I can share
the truth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[14:20:00] CURNOW: Now to what the United States calls a clear and unmistakable message to Iran, the Trump administration is deploying an
aircraft carrier group and a bomber task force to the Middle East warning Iran that any attack on U.S. interests or allies will be met with, quote,
unrelenting force. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the deployment has been in the works for a, quote, little while.
He met today with the Russian foreign minister after confusing Moscow of aggressive behavior in that region and along. Fred has been covering all
of these events for us. Give us some sense on this move by the Americans. Any sense or any detail on why?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Why they're sending the aircraft carrier? The Secretary of State went in front of the
media here in Finland and he gave a little bit more detail as to why the U.S. did that. He said America has been picking up some signals from the
Iranian military that led them to believe that some sort of escalation might be in the works.
And that's the reason why the U.S. then decided to send that carrier strike group, the Abraham Lincoln and that bomber group as well. They're saying
as a clear message to the Iranians, that that escalation is not going to be tolerated. We've heard a little bit from the Iranians. He's been saying
that the Iranians don't want any sort of es escalation.
But they have said if there is an escalation with the United States in that region, that they could use their missiles to, for instance, hit American
military targets in the Middle East, but to also threaten the strait as well. One of the interesting things that the Iranians seem to be trying to
do, they seem to be playing on divisions within the Trump administration itself, the Iranian revolutionary guard talking very tough.
But the foreign minister saying he doesn't believe that President Trump wants a war but he believes some in the Trump administration like, for
instance, Secretary of State Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, might be more inclined to have an escalation. A lot of things at
play here, but clearly the Americans are saying they were picking up signals and that's the reason they decided to make this bold move, Robyn.
CURNOW: It certainly is. And we also know in terms of your reporting, you've been on this.
PLEITGEN: Yes, certainly has. It's quite interesting. I was on the carrier just a little bit over a week ago in late April when that carrier
was still in the Mediterranean. One of the things that we do know about this aircraft carrier is that it's still in the fairly early stages of its
deployment. The deployments of this aircraft carriers they go over several months. That crew is still very fresh. Obviously very motivated and very
capable as well.
One of the interesting things, I was on that aircraft carrier the last time it was in that area. It's an area we keep talking about in that standoff,
that very narrow water way. And a water way that the Iranians believe they could close if they had a confrontation with the United States. A lot of
symbolism of course.
When the United States sends an aircraft like that to a region like that, and this is a carrier that's been here before, where crew members are
experienced in operating in those waters and dealing with the kind of situation that on the one hand is a show of force, but as the Americans
also put it, carriers of course also a large bit of steel diplomacy.
CURNOW: You make a good point there, Fred Pleitgen, thanks so much in Finland.
Turning to Russia, a passenger jet makes U-turn, bounces on the tarmac and bursts into flames. Investigators want to know why. I want to show you
more of this extraordinary video. Take a look.
Those terrifying moments recorded there by someone inside the aircraft as it burst into flames. We know that 41 people were killed in yesterday's
fiery crash. It had turned to Moscow about a half-hour after it took off. It might have been hit by lightning. Matthew chance is in our Moscow
bureau and has been watching all of this. Let's talk about the survivors, Matthew.
[14:25:00] MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Horrendous images. Who travels frequently, those are the worst possible
pictures you can see. There were survivors, of course, there's been an official list released of the 30 or so people who have survived this. Some
of them have come into some criticism because some of the video that's been shot has been shown with passengers taking their bags.
You're not supposed to take any of your baggage. It's not the focus of the investigation. They're looking at pilot error, we're looking at the
qualifications of the maintenance staff that looked after this plane, we're looking at the air traffic control figures, people -- and we're looking at
the weather conditions. It's believed that the plane was struck by lightning.
What no one here is talking about in Russia, and this is significant, is grounding this type of aircraft, this Superjet 100. And the suspicion is
that's because this airliner is the first of its kind that was built in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it's a national prestige
project, part of Vladimir Putin's plan to make Russia more self-sufficient when it comes to aerospace technology.
So there may be some reluctance to take that step of grounding that aircraft. Aside from the clear humanitarian tragedy in which 41 people met
a fiery death, it's also a very powerful blow to that idea of national esteem when it comes to aviation.
CURNOW: And concerning for anyone who flies. Because those images clearly people knew there was a problem. It had been turned around 30 minutes into
flight. And we see it bounce on the runway. A lot of questions on why that happened.
CHANCE: Yes. We don't know the answer to that and we're waiting for the outcome of this investigation. The black boxes are being examined. This
plane made a circle around Moscow a couple of times. It came back down for that extremely hard landing, bouncing off the runway and the suspicion at
this point is that bits of the fuselage split off and caused that fire ball as it skidded to a halt.
Of course it was among the -- amid that fire ball that all those passengers had to be evacuated t. Evacuated. The Russians are saying it took 55
seconds for the entire plane to be evacuated of the survivors. The average they say in the century is 90 seconds. They're patting themselves on the
back for that. There are still all sorts of questions that have to be answered as to why this plane dropped off the sky in this way in a ball of
flames, Robyn.
CURNOW: 41 dead and many lucky survivors. Thanks for that update.
You're watching CNN, I'm Robyn Curnow. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:16] ROBYN CURNOW, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: More now on our top story, as Britain grapples with weighty issues such as how to leave the
E.U.? People there today have had a one of the happy diversion. Haven't they?
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy. You're looking at the official palace announcement here. Her husband, Prince
Harry, is all smiles of being a first time father. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX: -- and baby doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine. How any
woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely thrilled.
I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. And as every father and parent, whatever you say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this
little thing is absolutely to die for. So I'm just over the moon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: And Harry says Baby Sussex will probably have a name in the next few days. He's the latest chapter in the couple's fairytale. Isn't he?
Although sometimes, untraditional romance.
Here's Mike Galanos with more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE GALANOS, HLN ANCHOR (voice-over): The divorced American actress and the wild and sometimes controversial prince, the unlikely couple found each
other like many other couples around the world.
MEGHAN MARKLE, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: It was a blind date.
PRINCE HARRY: It was a blind date. We were introduced actually by a mutual friend.
GALANOS: Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle swore they didn't know much about each other until that first date in London.
PRINCE HARRY: And she was sitting there, I was like, OK. Well, I really I really have to up my game.
GALANOS: And he sure did. Whisking the actress away to a different continent on their third date.
PRINCE HARRY: I managed to -- persuaded to come and join me in Botswana -- going actually whole day together in the middle of nowhere and it showing
your time together and that kind of stuff. It was fantastic.
GALANOS: The couple would keep their love affair hidden for half a year. Telling the BBC they spend time on the couch and cooking for each other at
home.
But the notoriously aggressive British tabloids would find out anyway.
MARKLE: I've never been part of tabloid culture. I've never been in pop culture to that degree and lived relatively quiet life.
PRINCE HARRY: I tried to warn you as much as possible. But I think both of us were totally surprised by the reaction after the first five, six
months that we had to ourselves of what actually happened from there.
GALANOS: What happened was a rush of false reporting, some racially charged. Meghan is biracial. Her dad is white and her mom is black.
Immediately, Prince Harry fought back.
Kensington Palace released a statement that a line had been crossed, saying Meghan has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment, inciting the
smear on the front page of a national newspaper, the racial undertones of comment pieces.
But eventually, Meghan and harry would be cheered on wherever they went. Especially after Harry popped the question in 2017.
MARKLE: As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, "Can I say yes now?"
PRINCE HARRY: She didn't even let me finish. She said, "Can I say yes? Can I say yes? Then there was hugs and I had the ring in my finger, and I
was like, can I give you the ring? She was like, oh, yes, the ring.
GALANOS: Prince harry says he was hands on designing his bride's engagement ring. A large center diamond is from Botswana. A special place
for the couple.
PRINCE HARRY: The little diamonds either side are from my mother's jewelry collection to make sure she's with us on this crazy journey together.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think this is the happy ending that people have wished for, for Prince Harry.
GALANOS: And fast forward to their star-studded wedding.
PRINCE HARRY: I, Harry, take you Meghan --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To be my wife.
PRINCE HARRY: To be my wife.
MARKLE: I Meghan, take you Harry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To be my husband.
MARKLE: To be my husband.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
GALANOS: The world tours.
(CHANTING)
GALANOS: And this news.
PRINCE HARRY: And we also genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby.
GALANOS: Since the baby announcement, there's been talk about the modern couple breaking royal traditions in how they plan to raise their first
child.
BONNIE GREER, AUTHOR: With rumor about this be a vegan baby and gender neutral, I think that's a little bit over the top. But she certainly
probably going to cook this baby's food.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you'd expect is that they would observe the traditions they think are appropriate.
GALANOS: Traditions like letting the queen know first as soon as the baby is born.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It'll also be fascinating to see how they dress Baby Sussex.
GALANOS: Harry and Meghan's baby will be 7th in line to the throne. Not in direct line of succession.
GREER: Because they are minor royals, this baby has a lot more freedom than say George has, Prince George can't do a lot of things because one day
he'll be king. But their children will not be rulers of this country, so they'll probably get to do whatever they want, actually.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[14:35:15] CURNOW: Thanks to Mike Galanos there. He was reporting.
So I want to go back to Windsor where Max Foster is standing by. And we heard someone commentate there that this was a really happy ending. In
fact, this is just happy beginning. Isn't it? It's all been a bit of a fairytale, hasn't it?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it has. I think the wedding was the fairytale for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Coming from America, living
that ultimate fairytale and having that wonderful wedding.
Then I think having the baby is probably part of Harry's fairytale and a happy ending for him, simply because he's so connected to children, always
talked from a young age about how he wanted children. And also, that idea that he lost so much of his childhood with the loss of his mother or the
invasion of privacy he suffered as a young child.
So many brits, I think, particularly, wanted to see a happy ending to that story of seeing Harry walking behind his mother's coffin, head bowed,
famously.
So I think today is a big moment for him. And with Britain's relationship with him. He's got a lot of goodwill here. And I think it will have
warmed a lot of people to see that elation in that interview that he -- impromptu interview that he actually conducted today a few -- you know, a
few hundred yards behind me.
CURNOW: Yes, in front of the stables.
So, Max, thanks so much. It's been a happy day. Happy day. Isn't it nice to cover a story that is just full of so much joy? Thanks so much, Max.
It's early evening in England.
OK. So we heard a little bit earlier in that piece from Mike Galanos, from author and playwright, Bonnie Greer. She says Baby Sussex is nothing short
of a revolution.
Well, Bonnie joins us from our London Street.
And, Bonnie, Great to see you. It is a happy day.
GREER: Good to see you.
CURNOW: Whether or not you're a royalist or whether you're a Britt, it's good to have the sort of sense of a bit of a cultural moment. Why?
GREER: Well, it's always good to have a baby safely delivered --
CURNOW: It is.
GREER: -- in this crazy world. So that's really a happy thing to say. And, you know, I was thinking, like this little kid is really going to be
sort of a 21st century person in an interesting way. He's got this all this nationality wound up inside of him. And he's dual national, he's born
an American, he's born British. His mother is British.
So it's going to be really -- it's the beginning of a very interesting life. He's going to be a celebrity. He already is.
But the beginning of his life is very, very interesting. He's kind of a metaphor for where we are now heading into the 21st century as well. Also,
he comes with kind of, Robyn, strange moment in this country with Brexit. There's a lot of anti-immigrant, England Britain first sentiment. So here
comes this international baby in a very -- in the highest profile family in the land. So it's going to be very interesting.
CURNOW: And the fact that he's -- his mom is biracial. How do you think that plays into it? We heard from that piece a little bit earlier how
there was a lot of negativity, racial negativity towards Meghan in those early days? Harry made a quick point of trying to stamp that out. How do
you think he's going to deal with that if that happens again?
GREER: Well, you know, people are going to have to just sort of face themselves. What's really incredible to me about the birth of this child
now at this moment in history is this idea of the country having to actually look itself in the mirror through the lenses and the shape of this
child who has African slaves on his mother's side.
And for Americans, this is the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the United States. So the birth of this child into the world
family of Great Britain with its ancestry, is for me in a way, a very fascinating metaphor and, you know, a teaching moment in a way.
So I'm sure his parents are not -- that's not lost to them. And this is the beginning of a very interesting life, I think with this young man.
CURNOW: Well, I certainly don't think it's lost to them. I mean, anybody who watched that wedding will get a sense of at least Meghan's connection
to her own heritage.
GREER: Exactly. It's going to be, especially for this country, it's going to be a kind of entry, whether they like it or not, into a whole sort of
panoply, a whole huge international world that this child on both sides of his family is by virtue of his birth bringing to bear this moment of
Brexit, at this moment of division within this country. Incomes this little guy and he's going to be really fascinating. It's going to be
really fascinating.
[14:40:04] CURNOW: Let's talk about Meghan. She's going to come out perhaps on Wednesday. There's going to be some sort of photo, or at least
opportunity. But we have seen that the trolls online have been going at her.
Do you think a little bit of that negativity will be backed off particularly on social media?
GREER: Well, you know, partly social media is actually for that, that's why it exist. And in a way people --
CURNOW: Just to be mean to someone.
GREER: Well, people use social media because you can hide behind it. You know, you are anonymous. Some of it is really, really shocking. But this
is the way it is right now in the 21st century and I think their main concerns will be the protection of this child and this child's privacy.
And their own sort of being able to come into the world as a family and as a unit.
She looks like a strong person. I don't know her. But she looks like a strong person. And I think they're both ready for this. They're ready.
CURNOW: They also kind of hinted that they were just getting started in that interview they did just before their wedding, which was very
insightful. They also talked about their connections and how much they wanted to spend time in the commonwealth. There's been a little bit of
pushback to the some sort of suggestions that maybe they would go somewhere in Africa in the next few months to go and live. What do you make of that?
GREER: You know, Robyn, we don't know. All kinds of stuff --
CURNOW: The palace didn't deny it. I think that's why that has still been simmering.
GREER: Well, you know, we don't know. You know, whenever there's a vacuum, because they're very, very smart and savvy and controlling the news
outlet of themselves. So wherever there's a big hole, people will sort of try and fill it.
They both love the continent. It is the continent of Africa is the 21st century. At least three or four nations which will be the most dominant in
the world going up to the middle of the century. So it's a smart move if that's what they decide to do.
But I think most importantly, this child is born here in this country at a very pivotal moment and he's going to be in his own way, a kind of symbol
of the great changes that this country is facing now.
CURNOW: A revolution, as you say.
Bonnie Greer, great to speak to you. Thanks so much for joining us.
GREER: Good to see you. Thank you.
CURNOW: All the best.
So still to come here at CNN, a new report finds that humans are to blame for putting a million species, a million species at risk for extinction.
What led to the dire warning and what can be done to heal the planet? That important story is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: Welcome back. I'm Robyn Curnow. You're watching CNN.
I want to update you on a story that we've been covering here at CNN. That was the mass execution of a number of men carried out in Saudi Arabia.
Now, we know that in court documents, exclusively obtained by CNN, we discovered that many of these men had said their confessions were false and
had been based on torture that their pleas of innocence were apparently ignored before they died.
[14:45:12] Well, now, CNN is speaking to a lawyer who represented some of those men who were condemned to death. Here's Arwa Damon with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Seventeen and arrested for protesting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was sleep deprived, tortured, and coerced into confessing something I didn't do.
DAMON: An interrogator threatens the 16-year-old.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you don't validate your confession, I will kill your mother and father.
DAMON: And this young man also claiming he was abused in custody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The confession that was written by the interrogator, I signed it only after torture and threats.
DAMON: These are statements made in a Saudi court by some of the 37 whose death sentences were carried out. And the second largest mass execution in
the kingdom's recent history.
Taha Al Hajj is haunted by their stories. He was a lawyer in his former homeland of Saudi Arabia, where he briefly represented some of those
executed in April on what he calls trumped up and bogus, spying and terrorism charges.
The day of their execution, the Saudi government said, justice had been served. But hundreds and hundreds of pages of documents exclusively
obtained by CNN lay bare another narrative.
TAHA AL HAJJ, LAWYER FOR MEN EXECUTED BY SAUDI ARABIA (through translator): The court documents are proof of torture and injustice and they still have
the audacity to say they are merciful and humane.
DAMON (on-camera): The defendants say that they confessed because they were being tortured. That should have been investigated under Saudi law.
AL HAJJ (through translator): The judge is supposed to take this seriously, to ask the interrogators for an answer to these allegations.
But what happens in most of these cases is that the judge ignores it.
DAMON (voice-over): Saudi Arabia has denied accusations of torture in the past. And the Saudi government has not responded to CNN's numerous queries
about the allegations of confession under torture, as stated in the court documents.
Among the crimes the dead are accused of committing, demonstrating violence, spying, organizing demonstrations filming misleading videos and
communicating with foreign media.
Taha suspects that the government might have also accused him of false crimes. While still in Saudi, he received a call asking him to appear at a
police station. He fled the same day.
But even here in Germany, he is wary of the far-reaching tentacles of the Saudi government.
DAMON (on-camera): It's a very politely worded letter from the Saudi embassy here that he got on his phone. How did they get your number?
AL HAJJ (through translator): I don't know how they got my number. This was a new number.
DAMON (voice-over): The message from someone claiming to be a Saudi official in Berlin says, "The homeland still welcomes its sons with open
arms. And if you want, I could help you go back. I guarantee you an easy return that you will thank me for."
CNN has obtained exclusive new video in the murder investigation of "Washington Post" columnist, Jamal Khashoggi --
DAMON: A few months later, the news of the brutal murder of journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, dominated the headlines. He too had received similar
assurances from Saudi officials.
AL HAJJ (through translator): I thought to myself, I could be in the same state as Jamal if I had agreed. It brought this to my mind right away.
DAMON: He says his government could try to get to him, even here. But he will not stop using his freedom to be a voice for those who are still
inside. For those who are being tortured and abused. For those who can't scream, even when they are in pain.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: Thanks for that powerful report.
Now, the U.N. is issuing a dire warning on climate change. It released a report compiled by some of the world's leading scientists find and it finds
that nearly a million species are at risk of extinction because of humans.
Well, Nick Watt has more on this. Nick?
NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Robyn, this 1,800 page report is designed to be a wakeup call.
You know, since just the earlier 1990s, so a tiny sliver of human history, the footprint of our urban sprawl has more than doubled and apparently that
is just not sustainable.
So after years of research and six days meeting in Paris, Experts have put out this report and here are some of the horrific headlines.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WATT (voice-over): Around one million species now face extinction, many within decades because of humans. Three quarters of all the land on earth
is being significantly altered in just the past 50 years, by humans. Plastic pollution at sea is up tenfold since 1980, our fault.
[14:50:07] PAUL EHRLICH, PROFESSOR, STANFORD UNIVERSITY: For a species that named itself homo sapiens, the wise men were being incredibly stupid.
WATT: The human population has doubled in just 50 years. Our agriculture consumes more and more land, natural habitats are shrinking. We continue
to pollute, the climate continues to warm, and natural ecosystems crumble at an accelerating rate.
One hundred forty-five leading experts from 50 countries spent three years compiling this gargantuan report reaching frightening conclusions.
EHRLICH: The other organisms of the planet are our life support systems. You don't have to worry about them. If you don't care about eating, if you
don't care about breathing, if you don't care about having fresh water and so on, then you can just forget about it and die.
WATT: The authors hope this work will land like last year's bombshell U.N. global warming report which galvanized the green movement --
(CHANTING)
WATT: -- and spurred politicians towards more urgent action.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): We must also base the existential threat of our time, the climate crisis --
WATT: As for our rapidly dwindling biodiversity, these experts claimed it's the 11th hour. We must act now. Consuming less, polluting less,
having fewer children.
EHRLICH: I'm very, very optimistic about what we could do in theory. I'm very pessimistic about what we will do.
WATT: One-eighth of all animal and plant species on earth now at risk of extinction because of us and as this report states, nature is essential for
human existence.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATT: One of the reasons Professor Ehrlich, that you just heard from there is so pessimistic is that Donald Trump is in the White House. Donald
Trump, of course, has vowed to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
And a couple of months ago tweeted this, tweeted a quote, "The whole climate crisis is not only fake news. It's fake science. There is no
climate crisis. So the question is whether Donald Trump will continue listening to climate skeptics on Fox & Friends or if he will listen to 145
global experts. Robyn?
CURNOW: OK. Nick, thanks for that. So very good assessment there.
So more to come including one wait is over, now another is under way. Someone distant to become a household name doesn't even have one, we know
of yet. We'll take you through the top contenders. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: One big announcement, two happy parents, and three little letters that sum up what we know. It's a boy.
Well, one of the most talked about people on the planet right now doesn't even have a name that we know of. He's the first child of Britain's Duke
and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan. His arrival was announced by his jubilant father just a few hours ago. We know little boy's weight, we know
of his time of arrival, but what is he going to be called?
Anna Stewart is joining us now from Windsor. As a famous Brit one said, what's in a name? And that's certainly the parlor game right now, isn't
it?
ANNA STEWART, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Speculation has been ripe. Bookies have been placing bets on this for weeks, months, even and plenty
of people here are playing the geussing game.
[14:55:06] The bookies, so far, Robyn, haven't actually been that accurate considering almost all of them thought it was going to be a girl. Quite
strongly, clearly it wasn't. So I've been asking around and it's quite expensive to guess wrong. Particularly with unlikely bets.
Listen to what Rupert Adams, he was the international PR manager for William Hill, told me a few weeks ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: So if they name their maybe Chardonnay, you know, it's big.
RUPERT ADAMS, INTERNATIONAL PR MANAGER, WILLIAM HILL: I recommend it's about half a million (INAUDIBLE) for their baby's called Chardonnay. So,
Harry, don't do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: Well, chardonnay is definitely, because it is not a girl.
Let me give you the top four names at a moment on Betfair. We have Alexander, 7/2, then we have James. We have Arthur. Then we have spencer.
And I just want to mention that Spencer is fairly new to the top table, which has me wondering whether there's some leaked information. Maybe
there's something we don't know.
You know, Spencer is of course Princess Diana's maiden name. And Spencer's family had been included in the statement today. So that's one to watch, I
would say.
Now, I do want to bring in a really special guest now. Because this is Terry Hutt who is -- I'd say I'm not allowed to have favorite royal fans,
but he's certainly one of my favorites.
Terry, you are 84. You have been covering royal events since you were four years old. So that's 80 years. What do you have to say about this
wonderful event?
TERRY HUTT, ROYAL FAN: Every event I go to, I really, really enjoy. I can't say more about this couple, because they're lovely. I'm sure they're
going to make a go of it. And if and when the baby does arrive, I'm sure the main thing is being healthy.
STEWART: Exactly. And the baby is very healthy, which we know. We don't know the baby's name.
Now, tell me, you don't really have opinions on the baby's name, from what I've heard.
HUTT: Well, if the baby was born and named after me, that wouldn't go amiss.
STEWART: Terry, Terry. I'm not sure I've seen that in the top tables on Betfair today. But maybe you could put a bet on that. I think you'd get
good odds.
I have to say now, once upon a time Terry was covering fan's base, Crazy Corner, which is behind me, for the birth of Prince George and something
rather special happened, Robyn. Tell her.
HUTT: What was first choice, I was given a birthday cake for my 80th birthday out of the blue.
STEWART: By? By who? Who gave you the cake?
HUTT: Probably security, whoever. And they put a note in there thanking me for their support.
STEWART: But that was on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Perhaps we'll get another cake, but probably not. Robyn?
CURNOW: Well, it is a happy day. A little bit earlier, you were speaking to somebody who was sort of halfway through a bottle of champagne and she
wanted the baby to be called Marvin. Catchy.
STEWART: Yes, I mean, really -- I mean, old names are on. I'd go for Anna, but I think it's probably not. It was a boy.
CURNOW: OK. Thanks for that. Anna would be good.
Thanks for watching. Thanks a lot. Wonderful day. Stay with us here at CNN "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next by Richard.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
