Post date: Apr 27, 2011 5:44:30 PM
Ardent royalists from around the world have begun to camp outside Westminster Abbey ahead of the royal wedding - trying to claim a place close to the action
UK-ROYAL WEDDING CAMPERS - There's still two nights to go until the wedding of Britain's Prince William to Catherine Middleton.
But already royal enthusiasts from all around the world have already arrived in London to camp out on the streets ahead of the big day to ensure they have the best possible places to watch the wedding.
They have been lucky in that Britain's normally, shall we say "variable" weather has been extraordinarily mild
for the time of year.But even so pitching themselves in the centre of the UK capital days ahead of the royal wedding wouldn't be for everybody.
But nothing would deter Bernadette Christie from Alberta Canada outside Westminster Abbey - the church where the royal couple will exchange their vows.
Bernadette Christie from Alberta, Canada, saying:
"I watch every wedding and every funeral on the TV and so as soon as this was announced I said to my husband all I want for Christmas is a ticket for the wedding and I planned right then I was going to sleep right in front of the Abbey."
It's an uncomfortable, very public and rather noisy place to camp... and Janelle Howell from Melbourne was getting some rather muted support from friends and family.
Janelle Howell, Melbourne, saying:
"I have just had a message from Louisa - she says you are totally completely, utterly mad as a box of frogs but we love you anyway."
It seems anything is worth it just to catch a glimpse of the UK's latest royal couple to wed and all the parades and celebrations surrounding the big event.
For ardent royalist John Loughrey who was at Prince Charles wedding to Lady Diana 30 years ago - it is not the hard pavement that is stopping him sleeping...
John Loughrey, royal follower for 30 years, saying
"It's not easy to sleep on a big occasion like this - I am only getting half asleep because the excitement and the adrenaline inside of me so much it is very difficult to sleep."
And these early birds are perhaps wise to stake a place now. They are expected to be joined by more than 200 thousand others on the day of the wedding all trying to get a glimpse of the happy couple.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.