Michael Jackson's children seen with grandmother Katherine Jackson on Oprah... as she prepares to open up about the day he died

Michael Jackson's children Prince (centre), Paris (second right) and Blanket (right) will appear in an episode of Oprah with their grandparents in an interview taped at their home in Encino, California
Their lives were shrouded in secrecy for most of their childhood, their identities a fiercely guarded secret behind masks enforced by their paranoid father.

But since his death, Michael Jackson's children have come out into the open, appearing at his televised funeral and enrolling in a normal school where they mix with other children.
Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, have now taken the next step and will be shown up close on the an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Katherine Jackson says that five of the songs on the album, recorded in 2007 at the home of his friends the Cascios, are by 'an imposter.'
The pop star's mother Katherine Jackson has sat down for an 'extensive' chat with the TV host.
In the sit-down, which was filmed at the Jackson home in Encino, California over the weekend, Mrs Jackson will open up about the day the music icon died in June last year.
The 80-year-old matriarch is also expected to reflect on Michael's life as a child star. Her husband Joe appears along with their three grandchildren in a 'backyard' visit by Winfrey.
It is unknown if the family will discuss a dispute with the singer's estate, who have signed a $250 million deal with Sony to release a CD of new Michael Jackson material at the end of the year.

The Jackson family say a CD of new tracks by the artist feature the vocals of an 'impostor'

A family insider told celebrity website X17 Online: 'Katherine says its not his voice, but the estate says its going to release the album anyway.
'The Cascios family built a studio in their home for Michael when he stayed with them in New Jersey back in 2007, and he did a lot of recordings while he was there
'I think the Cascio's added what they wanted to Jackson's partially recorded tracks and took the material to Sony after he died. Michael left a lot of stuff behind and I think they are taking advantage of that.'
Sony, who are expected to release the album despite the family's concerns, are said to have brought in forensic audiologists to determine if it the vocals are Jacksons.
X17 Online also reports that Prince and Paris, who were present at the 2007 recordings at the Cascio's New Jersey home, have been asked to verify the vocals on the songs.
There are online rumours that Harpo Productions are also trying to secure a taping with Debbie Rowe, the reclusive mother of Prince and Paris. Harpo has not commented on these claims.
The highly anticipated interview is one of a string of sought-after exclusives produced by Harpo for Oprah's final season.
Winfrey, whose interview with Jackson himself in 1993 revealed he was suffering from the skin condition vitiligo, has also sat down with Harry Potter author J.K Rowling and last week with the entire cast of the Sound of Music.
The episode will air in the US on November 8.