Queen opens new CNN newsroom

CNN.com Europe editor Nick Wrenn showed the Queen the latest technology

By CNN's Nick Wrenn

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Queen Elizabeth II officially opened a new newsroom for CNN's London bureau on Wednesday, crowning a multi-million dollar relocation.

And the 75-year-old monarch revealed that Buckingham Palace has installed multi-channel satellite TV for her to watch.

"She said she always wondered what the people did in the background of the studio and wondered if they were part of the set," said CNN's Tony Maddox, who showed the Queen around the new offices. "Now she knows they're working."

CNN presenter Richard Quest added: "She found it intriguing how TV presenters can talk and listen to their ear pieces at the same time."

VIDEO A royal opening: CNN's Richard Quest reports (November 28) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The Queen was shown how CNN news from the Web site can also be accessed on phones and other mobile devices and said she was "amazed" by the expansion of technology.

She toured the newsroom, met some of the journalists and unveiled a plaque. She was also introduced to Walter Isaacson, chairman and CEO of CNN News Group.

The visit to CNN's Great Marlborough Street bureau, CNN's biggest operation outside the U.S., sets the seal on months of work to build two state-of-the-art digital studios and an office for 150 journalists producing news for television, the Internet and mobile services.

CNN's London bureau had been based less than a mile away at Rathbone Place in the city's West End.

"In the last five years the amount of programming coming out of London has increased enormously," said Maddox, CNN Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "It became increasingly apparent that we urgently needed to expand our facilities."

The bureau broadcasts more than 50 hours of programming every week. CNN.com's European edition is also produced there.

Expansion will continue in 2002 with the launch of a new daily four-hour morning block of programmes, live from the new London studios.

The Queen's visit was part of a media day. She also saw the ITN news studios in London and met the cast of top UK television soap "EastEnders," including veteran actress Barbara Windsor.