Royal fans from as far away as North Carolina camping out on the Mall for Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Royal fans from as far away as North Carolina camping out on the Mall for Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Live stream 1069
Anna Fox

By Anna Fox


Published: 01/06/2022

- 14:31

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:11

Hardy fans huddle in tents awaiting the Platinum Jubilee spectacle

Hardy royal fans have flocked to The Mall in hopes to gain a glimpse of the Queen across the four day Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Fans have flocked from far and wide including some from as far away as North Carolina.


Many have formed life-long friendships from camping outside the palace for previous weddings and jubilees.

68-year-old retired charity executive, Mary-Jane WIllows said to PA she first camped out for the Diamond Jubilee, followed by the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Queen's 90th birthday.

Royal fan Mary-Jane Willows, 68, from Cornwall who has been camping in her tent on The Mall near Buckingham Palace, London, since Tuesday ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Picture date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Royal fanatic Mary-Jane Willows is camping on The Mall ahead of the Jubilee
James Manning

"Several of us met at those events and have stayed friends ever since," she added.

Her admiration and adoration of the Royal Family was passed down from her mother, alongside an original copy of the Queen's coronation album.

In honour of the Queens 70 years of service, Ms Willows decided to take to streets to thank her for her duty.

Ms Willows added: “She has given 70 years of her life to serve us, the country,” she said. “That’s what she said at her coronation and she’s done it every second of every day.

“She’s never taken a wrong step, and so we’re here to thank her and to celebrate.”

Royal superfan Donna Werner, from the US, on shows off her Jubilee themed straw hat on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London, where people are camped out for a prime position to view the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Picture date: Tuesday May 31, 2022.
Donna Werner has travelled from Connecticut for the Jubilee celebrations.
Aaron Chown

Accompanying Ms Willows was her friend Donna Werner who is 70 years-old. Ms Werner has made the trip especially from Connecticut for the celebrations.

Ms Willows and Ms Werner formed a friendship after camping out at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding.

Ms Werner formed a fondness for the Royal Family after cycling around the UK in her youth.

“I just fell in love with the country,” she added.

She recalls her first royal event; the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1986.

"I was pregnant, I slept on the street for two nights. That was quite an event, she was a beautiful bride," she added.

Jubilee celebrations will begin tomorrow with the Queen's birthday parade. Beginning at 10am at Buckingham Palace, the procession will snake down The Mall to Horse Guards parade, with members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages following shortly after.

The colour will be trooped by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, where Prince William is Colonel of the Regiment.

You may like