Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, fans pitch their tents on the Mall with the brave Royalists battling showers to soak up the historic occasion

Royal fanatics are already getting into the Jubilee spirit after fans started camping out at the mall TWO DAYS before the celebrations started.

Tents are pitched near the security fence around Buckingham Palace with dedicated royalists braving heavy rain showers to soak up the historic occasion.

And two royal super fans eager to get their seats are two familiar faces in John Loughrey and Maria Scott, who can often be seen in front of crowds at major royal events.

Their passion for the Royal Family even led Mr Loughrey to quit his day job so he could attend all hearings into the inquest into Princess Diana’s death in 2008.

The 67-year-old also waited patiently outside the hospital where Prince George was born in 2013 and did so for Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018.

The Princess Diana fanatic also visits Westminster Abbey every week to say a prayer for her.

The former kitchen worker has attended countless royal events and monuments and thought the Queen’s 90th birthday was the most special occasion.

He said: “Prince William was at the palace with his children and he came out and spoke to us, saying it was an unofficial visit and I am touched by what you are doing for my mum.

“I said I was still praying for your mother and would light a candle at Westminster Abbey.”

His love for the Royal Family began as a child in the 1960s and he met the Queen twice – and presented her with a rose at Windsor Castle for each member of the family.

He added: “She goes out of her way to meet people. I said to Her Majesty, ‘we are very proud of you and you are always in our hearts’.

“She has seen so much history. She had a long life, was always there for the Commonwealth and did her duty.”

And one royal fan who flew in from the US for Saturday’s celebrations is Donna Werner, 70, from Connecticut.

She set up a tent on the Mall with her British friend Mary-Jane Willows.

She said: “It’s to show the Queen some love and respect for everything she’s done.

“I think after 70 years of working in one job, she should be honored.
“She did a terrific job.”

Ms Werner, a retired housewife, said the royal family was well loved and respected in the United States.

She added: “Love of pomp and castles, they love to read about it.”

Accompanying him in the celebrations is his friend Mary-Jane Willows, 69, from Penzance, Cornwall.

They said they would watch the procession and the appearance on the balcony of what they hope is Prince George.

Ms Willows explained the reason for coming: “It’s loyalty to the Queen.

“She has spent 70 years of her life and she deserves us to say thank you and give her our love, respect and gratitude for all she has done.”

Ms Scott, 51, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is another royal fan who is camping outside the mall.

She even showed up at 1.30am to attend the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London for the births of Prince William and Kate’s three children.

The 51-year-old can is often seen at royal events with her daughter Amy, 20, she told Mail Online: “The police know us because we always go out at royal events.

“They have no problem with us doing it.

“We were going to stay for the Trooping of the Colour, then we’re going to spend the night in St Paul’s, then we’ll be back down for the gig and the show on Sunday.

“When the rain goes away, we normally have a lot of people coming to chat with us.

“They think it’s wonderful how patriotic we are and it’s wonderful to meet people from so many different countries.

“I think the Queen is amazing. She’s been very strong over the years and throughout her life. She’s the backbone of the country.”