Australian Carleen Quirk to mark her 11th royal event at Coronation

Carleen Quirk, 80, is possibly Australia’s biggest royals fan having already been to eight royal weddings and two funerals. See how she’s marking the day on the Mall.

It’s all in the name – and Carleen Quirk is certainly unique.

Showcasing the best of Aussie pluck, the 80-year-old is camping out at London’s famous Mall ahead of the Coronation, with nothing more than a swag, a bag and a whole load of experience – because this will be her eleventh major royal event.

“I’ve been to eight royal weddings and two funerals,” Ms Qurik laughed.

“But I’ve never been to a Coronation, so I thought I should.”

Ms Quirk, from Tweed Heads in northern NSW, flew in on Wednesday and set up straightaway, snagging a spot right at the front of the crowd barriers, ensuring a perfect view of Saturday’s procession.

Despite her age, she made it look easy, because she’s done this before so many times.

Carleen Quirk, 80, from Australia is camping out at London’s famous Mall ahead of the Coronation.

“I’m an old pro,” she laughed.

“I got my OBE last year – Over Bloody Eighty!”

The true-blue (and red and white) royal fan was able to go to so many momentous occasions previously because she was married to an Englishman and lived between the UK and Australia.

And even at the Mall, where a tent city of avid spectators all keen to bag the best view was growing by the minute Thursday night, Ms Quirk was doing her bit to bring both nations together, helping her younger English neighbours with their own tent.

“I had to teach them how to set it up,” she murmured tactfully.

She said she feels quite safe, with police all around, but is looking forward to having a shower when all the excitement is over on Saturday night. Then she’s going travelling round Europe like someone a quarter her age.

“I’ll upgrade from camping to youth hostels,” she said.

In the meantime, she is right behind the new monarch and has a message for King Charles III and his family from Australia.

“Keep doing the good work you do, for all the world.”

Originally published as Australian Carleen Quirk to mark her 11th royal event at Coronation