Royal superfans began their vigil outside Windsor Castle on Tuesday night to get a glimpse of Princess Eugenie on her big day.
Even though she is only ninth in line to the throne, and the crowds were thinner than on her cousin Harry’s big day in May, Britain’s most dedicated royal well-wishers saw out the day in style.
Dressed head-to-toe in a union jack suit Joseph Afrane, 54, said he came to pay tribute to a country who had saved his life 24 years ago when he came from Ghana as a refugee.
He said: “The Queen is our head of state and this is her granddaughter – we should be here for her because she has been here for us, always.
Despite the small crowds the royal fans were determined to get the most from the big day – singing the national anthem and ‘get them to the church on time’ while wrapped in flags.
A dedicated core who had slept out since earlier in the week to get the best spots found that they didn’t face much competition for the best spaces.
But they say the time is all part of the atmosphere for them – letting them soak up the spirit of the day and swap stories of better attended royal events in the past.
For 83-year-old Terry Hutt from Weston-Super-Mare getting a glimpse of the royal couple meant sleeping out on the street last night.
“I’ve been coming to every royal event I could for the last 51 years, I wasn’t going to miss this,” he said.
“Obviously the level of excitement isn’t quite what it was for Harry and Meghan’s wedding but it is our royal family and more people should be here to support them “Eugenie looked beautiful in her dress.”
Some braved the cold for even longer.
Kerry Evans, 54, from Barton-Upon-Humber arrived on Tuesday and has camped out since.
She said she came to pay tribute to a family who she said gave her strength when she raised her two autistic sons.
She said: “Looking at the royals I’ve always seen a family that looked like mine and I have always taken a lot from that.
“Big crowds or not, it was a gorgeous day and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
But not everyone felt they got the most from their hours of waiting outside Windsor Castle’s walls.
One man who had been waiting for three days to see the carriage procession said he was “thoroughly disappointed”.
Bartly Graham, from County Durham also arrived on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old said: “I did Harry and Meghan’s wedding and it was a much larger affair.
“I’m thoroughly disappointed that we didn’t have the general horse displays and the military aspect, I’m really disappointed.”
But the mood for these most dedicated fans was summed up by American Maggie Doyle, 20, who came all the way from Brussels where she studies to watch the day unfold.
She said: “She could be the 45th in line to the throne and I’d still be here!
“I think if I was British I would be frustrated though, knowing my tax was funding this.”
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Pensioner David Weeks, who was stood just metres from the castle gates, wore a custom made sequin covered suit – designed for him by a trapeze artist.
The 77-year-old from Petersfield, Hampshire said he came to see friends he met through years of following the royal family.
He said: “I’m a true royalist, I have been all my life.
“They make me proud to be be British. It was a lovely wedding and it’s lovely to see a young couple so happy.
“I was stood here for Meghan and Harry’s wedding and I was stood just across the road for the Queen’s 90th.
“I’ll keep coming for as long as I can.”
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