People camp outside Buckingham Palace days out from King Charles’ coronation

Now this is commitment. Multiple people are already camping outside Buckingham Palace in freezing conditions simply to catch a glimpse of King Charles.

Temperatures may be dropping to 6C in London, but diehard royalists are not letting potential frostbite get in the way of their brush with royalty.

Multiple people have already set up camp along the barricades on The Mall just outside Buckingham Palace, several days out from King Charles III’s coronation.

There are a handful of Britons who have been sleeping onsite to secure their front row seat for a moment in history, where, on Saturday, they’ll be joined by an estimated 1.2 million others.

John Loughrey, 68, a well-known identity in the royal “super fan” space, has donned a Union Jack oodie and bandana, as he proudly brandishes his Charles T-shirt.

As of Tuesday morning, UK time, Mr Loughrey has been stationed in the same spot for four days already.

Royalist John Loughrey has been camping outside Buckingham Palace in the lead up to the coronation.

But it’s not just an opportunity to see the royal family in the flesh. That part is fleeting. Much like the feverish suspense of Christmas Eve, Mr Loughrey relishes in the giddy anticipation.

“The reason why we come early because we like to get the build-up,” he tells news.com.au from his makeshift home, fit with a blue camp bed and endless food supplies.

“We like to see the people from world come here and they always say to us, ‘We don’t have this in our country. And that’s why we come to England, to London to see it.’”

A stone’s throw away from Loughrey is fellow royalist Sky London, 63, from West London, perched in his fold-out chair. He’s been here since Thursday.

Mr London (yes, that really is his name, I even asked to check his ID) is relying on the kindness of the people to bring him a warm cup of coffee in the brisk mornings.

He says it’s been freezing at times, but it’s all worth it to see “his King”.

“If your favourite pop star was gonna turn up, you’d be down here to catch a glimpse of them,” he said. “He is our King. And he’s focused on rather important issues, like the environment, which is important, not just to our country, but to the world.

“And he’s had to put up with a hell of a lot. And at his age, with his youngest son [Prince Harry] causing all these problems … It’s not fair on him.”

That’s not to say Charles is his favourite royal. Mr London’s unwavering support extends to all members of the monarchy.

“One isn’t as good as the other. Because after Charles, it’s going to go to William, so I don’t distinguish one from the other,” he said.

A bit further up the Mall is Anne Daley, 65, from Cardiff, Wales. On the two-hour train trip to London, she’s brought with her a life-size cut-out of the King and Queen, and flags from her home country.

Royalist Anne Daley, from Wales, has found her spot along the procession route.

Ms Daley is brimming with a level of joy words can’t describe. So, she sings us a self-written song instead.

I’m on my way to Westminster Abbey / Run away to Westminster Abbey / To see the King who will be crowned / Ba Ba Ba Bum

The former air stewardess arrived in the city on Tuesday morning.

It’s an unthinkable effort to make, but the King’s coronation represents a deep sense of nostalgia for Ms Daley – who says her father, now 90, was in The Irish Guards – official servicemen who protect royal residences – when the late Queen was crowned in 1953.

Ms Daley has met many members of the royal family. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

“He marched down the Mall on duty that day, so it’s an emotional time for me,” she said.

“[On coronation day] I’m hoping to see the guards, to remind me of my dad … And the marching bands, and the music. Charles is very moved by music.”

This is far from Ms Daley’s first royal rodeo. She was in the crowd for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011, and met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their walkabout in Cardiff in 2018 following their engagement.

“I invited [Meghan] on a Hen’s night, that was fun,” she said. “I met the Queen in Windsor. She came and had a chat.”

Ms Daley said she asked Meghan Markle on a Hen’s night during the Sussexes walkabout in Cardiff in early 2018. Picture: Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It’s expected more people will begin camping along the 2km procession route in coming days, where the ‘King’s Procession’ will set off from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning.

Charles and Camilla will ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, down the Mall, through the Admiralty Arch and south of King Charles I Island, before travelling through Whitehall and along parliament Street, around parliament Square, to Broad Sanctuary and then arriving at the Abbey for the tw0-hour service.

The newly crowned monarch will then embark on a larger scale procession the same route back, before waving to crowds on the Palace balcony.