DEVOTED royal superfans have camped out down the Mall a whole nine days before the King's Coronation.
The crowd have set up tents, camping chairs and lines of bunting in good time for the May 6 event as they prepare for the celebrations in the shadow of Buckingham Palace.
Patriotic John Loughrey, 68, and Sky London, 63, pitched up in the pouring rain on Thursday night with camping beds and bags of supplies.
They are part of a group of ten friends who will join them in the days leading up to the coronation, and they have spent more than £700 on coronation-themed goodies including shortbread, clothes, bags and paper plates.
John, from Streatham, South London, told The Sun: "It’s not about the money. It’s about our love for the Royal Family.
"We’re loyal to the Royal Family. We’re loyal to Parliament. We’re loyal to the establishment.
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"We came here so early because we like to see the build up. We like to see the people coming from around the world who say they don’t do what we do here. We talk to them about our history and the Royal Family. Thousands of people come past each day and take photographs."
He added that the coronation is bittersweet as he never wanted to witness the death of a monarch, but said that his period of mourning is over and he is now "ready to celebrate with King Charles and his Queen Camilla".
The devoted monarchist continued: "We want the sun to shine on them on their coronation day. We want it to shine on the King and his Queen, on the golden coach going down the Mall and to shine on the whole nation.
"It's very special. I can't believe I'm here to watch this. I'm not watching it on the telly, I'm here with my friends. We're ever so proud of the King and his Queen.
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"I say God Save the King, and three cheers for King Charles III and his Queen Camilla."
Further down the Mall, Bartley Graham, 34, Neasden, West London, has died his beard and hair red, white and blue for just a fiver.
The celebratory dye is apparently permanent and so will only come out if he bleaches his beard or shaves it off, but he said it's worth it to celebrate the occasion.
Bartley said: "I’m a big fan of the Royal Family. I was a big fan of the Queen. I loved her. It broke my heart when she died.
"Hopefully King Charles will be as good a King. I don’t care about the weather. Come rain or shine I’ll be here."
"I've waited a lifetime."
His pal Tony Ches, 67, has been sleeping in a camping chair with only a Union flag blanket for warmth since coming down from Birmingham yesterday.
He explained: "I’ve come to celebrate the coronation of the King. I’ve waited a lifetime to see a crowning.
"It’s been an absolutely fantastic atmosphere."
Another royalty-lover who arrived in the capital yesterday is Anne Daely, 65, who claimed that her father Michael, 90, was involved in the late Queen's coronation in 1953.
The former Irish Guardsman apparently stood guard outside the gate of Buckingham Palace 70 years ago.
"My family thinks I'm mad."
Anne said: "My dad said it would be lovely if you were there because he can’t be here.
"He lined the route for the late Queen’s coronation with the Irish guards. He’s very proud that I’m here."
The retired air stewardess has been singing 'is this the way to Westminster Abbey' to the tune of 'is this the way to Amarillo' to keep spirits up as the campers await the big day.
Meanwhile, tourists have flocked in from all over the world to be a part of the event.
Donna Werner, 71, arrived yesterday morning and said she has spent more than £5,000 on the trip from Connecticut, USA.
She told The Sun: "I love the Royal Family. I love the history. I love the pomp and circumstance.
"My family thinks I’m mad."
"The Royal Family is always here."
Fellow Americans Thomas and Stephanie Moore, from Salt Lake City, Utah, explained their reasons for making the trip.
Stephanie said: "I’m excited and thrilled that Charles has a love of his life.
"There’s no one to connect to in America. The head of state changes every four or eight years. The Royal Family is always here."
Thomas added: "I like a party and history. I like a 200 year old carriage. It’s something unique and wonderful."
He also said he was friends with the late Caroline, Duchess of Beaufort, who once told him that Camilla is a "wonderful" person.
Some have come from even further afield, including New Zealand native Mo Shelley, who spent over £4,000 to get to the UK.
She said: "I'll never get to see anything like this again. I love all the pomp and pageantry of it all.
"I think the royals are great and everyone is always so friendly down here."
The 60-year-old from Christchurch travelled over with her husband Brett who is humouring her royalist nature.
Just two tents over is Carleen Quirk, 81, from New South Wales, Australia.
She said: "I always said I'd come over for the coronation so here I am."
"I was just 11 when Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1952 so I couldn't come for that.
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"It's going to be the most amazing spectacle. I came over for the first time in 1963 for Princess Alexandra's wedding.
"I've spent about $2,700 getting here but I'm making a holiday of it in Europe."
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