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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Royal fans claim their spot 3 days before wedding


Royal 'superfan' stakes early claim to bag prime spot for Royal Wedding... three days before the big event

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:00 PM on 26th April 2011
With his trusty sleeping bag, two carrier bags and a Union Flag hat, this is the first Royal Wedding fan to stake out a place in front of Westminster Abbey for the big day.
Dedicated John Loughrey, 56, slept out on the pavement last night as he began his week-long vigil to ensure a prime position.
He was dressed in a Kate and William T-shirt, emblazoned with the words 'Diana Would Be Proud' with the images of Kate and William tied round his waist and a Union flag hat.
Dedicated: Royal Wedding fan John Loughrey has already begun camping out to get a good spot for the big day
Dedicated: Royal Wedding fan John Loughrey has already begun camping out to get a good spot for the big day
John Loughrey believes William and Kate will be together forever
John Loughrey believes William and Kate will be together forever
The former assistant chef, from Wandsworth, south west London, a self-confessed 'super fan' of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, said he planned to stay in his position until Saturday.
He said: 'I have always been loyal to the Royal Family.'
'I think they are good for Britain and good for tourism. We have had them for more than 1,000 years and they make a great contribution to the life of this country.'
Mr Loughrey said he had attended every single hearing of the inquest into the death of Diana, camping for three days outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.
He became so well-known at the inquest - with 'Diana' and later 'Dodi' painted on his face - that he was even given a special mention by the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker. 
Mr Loughrey, whose partner Marion died of skin cancer in 2003, also spent four days camped outside following the death of Diana in 1997.
He said he believed Miss Middleton and William would be together 'forever'.
'They have taken their time over marriage, unlike the Prince's late mother - she got married maybe far too young,' he said.
'The Prince has learned from his mother to take his time.'
Get your place early: The map of the Royal Wedding route
Where will you be? The key locations for Royal Wedding day
Where will you be? The key locations for Royal Wedding day
Mr Loughrey will soon be joined by thousands of other Royal fans camping out to ensure a good vantage point, with an estimated 1.5 million expected to converge on the capital by Friday.
Good spots include the steps under the Duke of York Column in Carlton House Terrace and the pavements by Admiralty Arch.
Much of the crowd is expected to head for Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, where giant screens will show live coverage of the ceremony. 
A 196ft-high ‘London Eye-style’ observation wheel has been erected in the park, which can be ridden from 7am on the day.
Both venues promise a carnival atmosphere, with food and drinks stalls, including licensed bars, to keep the ‘extended wedding guests’ refreshed.
Other places where big screens will be erected include Clapham Common, which is turning into a campsite the night before, Southbank Centre Square and Battersea High Street, where there will be a huge street party with food stalls.
Wedding fever: Union Jacks decorating London's Regent Street in a scene that could almost come from 1945 as the wedding approaches this week
Wedding fever: Union Jacks decorating London's Regent Street in a scene that could almost come from 1945 as the wedding approaches this week
Focus: Construction workers set up a platform for the cameras outside Westminster Abbey
Focus: Construction workers set up a platform for the cameras outside Westminster Abbey
FILE - This is one of two official portrait photographs taken on Nov. 25, 2010 in the Council Chamber in the State Apartmentepa02702436 Customers walk through a stand with gift plates with pictures of Prince William and his bride to be Kate Middleton
Some of the Royal Wedding memorabilia on sale in London today and, right, the happy couple  


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1380634/Royal-superfan-stakes-early-claim-bag-prime-spot-Royal-Wedding.html#ixzz1KdD7uE8l

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