Royal superfans have arrived in Norfolk to catch a glimpse of Kate Middleton and the family when they take their Christmas Day walk to church later today.
Queues began forming outside the gates of Sandringham from 7:30pm last night to secure the best spot.
That included self-confessed royal superfans John Loughrey and Sky London.
The friends spent the night sleeping al fresco wrapped in sleeping bags.
Mr Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth in London, said: ‘The weather has been damp, it’s been soaking through the sleeping bag and I’ve had an hour’s sleep. But it doesn’t matter.’
He said he empathised with Kate and her recent health issues because his late partner Marion Crean died with skin cancer in 2003.
Mr Loughrey, wearing a T-shirt depicting a montage of the Princess, and holding a Christmas rose bouquet for her, said: ‘Catherine has been an inspiration to us all, and her positivity has been amazing to see, she’s got support all around the world.
‘She has told us she is not out of the woods, but we want to stay positive.
‘We also all want to see King Charles and Queen Camilla because of course they’ve not been well.
Pomeranians Peanut and Coco ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service
Members of the public gather ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service attended by the royal family at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk
Royal fans queue at Sandringham ahead of the Christmas Day church service
The first people in a queue of well-wishers waiting to see members of the royal family walk to church arrived on Tuesday and camped overnight
Two Pomeranian dogs in the queue as the public wait to greet Royals on Christmas Day
‘It has been a difficult year for them and there are millions of people supporting them.
‘I’ve met the King before and he said to me he has never seen anyone wearing so many badges before.
‘I think to be honest there probably isn’t anyone in the world who has seen the Royal Family as many times as me, and I’m proud of that.
‘My friends know what I’m like, that this is my passion. Sometimes people say silly things but I love doing this.’
Mr London, 64, from Paddington in north London, was also wearing a customised Kate T-shirt and holding a bouquet for the princess.
He said: ‘John and I have had a good laugh, he kept trying to yap to me last night so I didn’t get much sleep.
‘The only place I’d rather be than outside here at Sandringham today is probably inside Sandringham with them. So this is the next best thing.
‘When you do this sort of thing you don’t actually need much sleep, you feel refreshed and ready to go.
‘It means the world to me to see them.
‘I really want to see William again. I spoke to him before and he said: ‘Don’t call me Prince William, I’m just William.’
‘And he is – he’s very down to earth. Unfortunately he’s an Aston Villa fan and I’m Birmingham City, their rivals, but that doesn’t put me off him.’
Royal fan John Loughrey holds a photo of Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, as he waits in the queue to see the Royal family
Royals superfans dressed up for the occasion in Norfolk today
Many waited overnight to catch a glimpse of the Royal family today
Retired chef John Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth, south London, said he and Sky London travelled by train to King’s Lynn then took a bus, arriving at Sandringham in Norfolk at 7.30pm on December 24
A bag adorned with British memorabilia seen in the public queue to greet the Royal family
American tourist Stacie Scrimshaw said she put her own family Christmas celebrations on hold back home so she could realise a long-held ambition to be at Sandringham for the royal visit.
The 55-year-old, from Brainerd in Minnesota, said: ‘I’ve come to the UK especially for this.
‘I decided a few years ago that I needed to come to a Christmas event here at Sandringham once in my life.
‘I told my family: “Don’t plan for me this year.” So we are having a Christmas when I’m back home in a few days.
‘I have such an affinity with the royals, ever since Charles and Diana got engaged. Before that I always thought princes and princesses only existed in Disney but they changed that.
‘Diana was a huge influence on me and what I have done in my life.
‘When she passed I said: I didn’t get to meet her but I will get to meet her sons one day.
‘Last year I got to meet William and Catherine at the coronation. They talked with me and ask so much about me, and I had a selfie with Kate.
‘She is so gracious. Everything that’s happened this year to them, I would love to be able to express to her how much joy she brings to people around the world.
‘Her stoicism is inspirational. She is light and love and kindness.’
She added: ‘I stayed nearby and then rented a hire car and drove here for 6am today – it’s so expensive but completely worth it.
‘Most of my family know not to question me too much about this. My mom said they will miss me but they know I like to follow my passion.’
A Pomeranian dog wearing a costume looks on as people gather outside the St. Mary Magdalene’s church
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service later today
(L-R) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn
King Charles III waves to well wishers as he leaves following a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, Sunday December 22, 2024
Fellow royal fan Martin Lawrie, 68, from Potters Bar in north London, said he hopes his cockerpoo Millais (CORR) would attract the attention of dog-lover Queen Camilla.
Mr Lawrie, whose beloved pet was dressed in a Christmas hat and jumper and perched in a small trolley, said: ‘We got here at 5.30am today, my partner and I were going to be on our own with the dog this year because the kids are abroad so we thought we would come here.
‘We go to a lot of the pageantry, it’s nice to see it and feel part of it.
‘The royals have had a difficult year, they have experience health problems that a lot of other people have had too, who can empathise with them, so in that sense they are just like everybody else.
‘And we’ve brought Millais – I know Camilla is a dog lover, so the dog in a buggy was a bit of a strategy, we are hoping to get her attention, maybe she will come over and make a bit of a fuss of the dog.’
Heidi Porter, 48, from Epsom in Surrey, arrived with her two Pomeranian dogs Peanut and Coco, dressed in royal-style outfits bought especially for the occasion and in a Silver Cross pram, similar to the one used by the late Queen for Charles and his siblings.
Mrs Porter said: ‘I have been planning this for a year – I went online and bought a couple of outfits for the poms.
‘I’ve wanted to do this forever. We’ve got two teenage boys but they are old enough to be left with my mum now, so here I am.
‘They didn’t want to come – they will be on their iPads eating cake for breakfast I expect.
‘To be honest I love being away from the boys, this is respite for me – time away is like gold dust,’ she said, laughing.
‘Peanut and Coco are my plan to get the royals over, use them as a magnet.
‘But honestly I think I will cry seeing the royals. I’ve seen them from a distance but never this close.
‘I regret not coming here when the late Queen was still alive.
‘And the year they’ve had – you forget they’re human some times. So it’s wonderful being here.’
