Charles coronation: Fans get in party spirit as they camp on Mall to catch glimpse of history with 62m pints to be sunk
EXCITED Royal superfans got into the party spirit tonight while camping on the Mall ahead of King Charles’ historic coronation.
Thousands of people from all over the world have gathered in London to catch a glimpse of the landmark procession tomorrow.
Some have even spent more than £4,000 to ensure they capture a slice of history tomorrow.
Draped in Union Jack flags, the superfans are braving the rain in makeshift tents to secure a prized spot along the Mall.
King Charles will travel along the route twice tomorrow as he prepares to take the crown in Westminster Abbey.
Thirsty Brits watching the celebration in the pub are set to sink 62million pints this weekend.
Boozers across England and Wales have been granted permission to stay open until 1am from tonight until May 7.
Royal fans who prefer seeing the action close up gathered in London earlier this week – turning the 1.3 mile route along the procession into a sea of red, white and blue.
There were cheers today as the Royals met with well-wishers in an impromptu walkabout outside the Palace.
Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate mingled with the delighted crowds and took selfies with their fans.
Kate told fans: “We’re like swans – calm on the outside, furiously paddling on the inside.”
There was no sign of Prince Harry, who is flying in from California solo to support his dad.
A private plane believed to be carrying the Duke of Sussex touched down in Farnborough today.
Harry, 38, is attending tomorrow’s celebrations without wife Meghan Markle, who has remained in the US with their children.
The festivities will begin tomorrow at around 10.20am as the couple leave Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
Other members of the Royal Family will make their way separately to the service, which starts at 11am.
Prince Harry will be among the group after he accepted an invitation for his dad’s big day – although Meghan Markle is remaining in the US for Archie’s birthday.
Once Charles and Camilla have been crowned, they will lead the Royals on the journey back to the Palace in the gilded coach.
They will be joined by thousands of military personnel including military bands as the pomp and pageantry of the day reaches a thrilling crescendo.
There will be a chance to glimpse the Royals again in the afternoon when they appear in the balcony for a flypast.
Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber from the Battle of Britain will roar above the crowds in an impressive six-minute display.
The Red Arrows will then turn the sky red, white and blue as they bring the day’s landmark festivities to a close.
Over the years, the King has expressed a desire to thrust the Royal Family into the modern age, which will be reflected in today’s service.
Charles has shunned the extravagant trappings of wealth seen in his own mother’s £1.57million ceremony as he moves towards a stripped-back monarchy.
The guestlist has been slashed to just 2,000, compared to the Queen’s 8,250, and the length of the service has been drastically reduced.
Even the dress code is different, with the King opting to wear military uniform instead of the silk stockings and breeches seen in the past.
But he will still wear the sacred garments – including a crimson Robe of State made for his grandfather George VI’s coronation in 1937 as he first enters the Abbey.
Charles is the first king to be crowned in Britain since his grandfather King George VI on May 12, 1937.
The Queen had attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey before her own coronation just 16 years later after the death of her father.
Although not much time had passed, her own ceremony reflected a more modern monarchy after it was aired on TV for the first time ever.
More than 20 million people watched as St Edward’s crown was placed on her head at the end of the three-hour ceremony.
Brits celebrated with street parties up and down the country while others tuned in from pubs and cinemas.
Charles was by his mother’s side when she passed away in September aged 96.
He later paid tribute to his “darling mama” and vowed to renew her promise of a “lifelong service”.
Charles also praised his mother in the speech and the “affection, admiration and respect” she inspired that “became the hallmark of her reign”.
He added: “Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother.”
The King spoke of her “unswerving dedication” as he took a “solemn pledge” to uphold the same “constitutional principles” for “the remaining time god grants me”.
And he poignantly touched on the Queen’s “qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.”
The King ended the speech by saying: “To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.
“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest’.”