The celebration has already started for dedicated Platinum Jubilee revellers who are determined to thank the Queen for her 70 years of service.
Spirits were high on The Mall on Wednesday as final preparations for the big weekend were underway.
Dedicated royal watchers began arriving as early as Monday to secure the best spot to watch Thursday’s Trooping the Colour parade, with some travelling from as far as the US to catch a glimpse of the Queen.
Royal superfans arrived with tents, deckchairs and plenty of champagne - determined to celebrate come rain or shine.
Donna Werner, 70, from Connecticut, booked her tickets as soon as palace officials set the date.
She and pal Mary-Jane Willows, 68, from Penzance, Cornwall, arrived on Tuesday and plan to camp all the way through until Sunday.
Donna said: “I have followed the royal family since I was a young girl. The first event I followed was Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Philips and I fell in love with Britain and the monarchy.
“I love the grand palaces and the gardens and everything involved with Britain.
“I wanted to show my respect to the Queen and everything she’s done for the past 70 years.”
Mary-Jane added: “This is the most important royal event there has been in our lifetime. She has given us 70 years - we can give her the weekend.”
John Loughrey, 67, from Streatham, was the first to arrive on The Mall when he pitched his tent on Monday afternoon.
He told the Mirror: “I want to tell the Queen: You are the crown jewels and we thank you ma’am.”
Security guard Joseph Afrane, 58, from Battersea, celebrated with other royal watchers dressed head to toe in a Union Jack suit.
“The Queen is a beacon to this country as well as the Commonwealth,” he said.
“It’s going to be fantastic and I am so excited. It’s a historic weekend.”
Keen cyclists known as the ‘Bike Angels of Basildon’ cycled down The Mall on Wednesday singing God Save the Queen.
Clare Weitzel, 55, said: “There is already a fabulous atmosphere. We did go down The Mall in formation singing God Save the Queen. When we came through Admiralty Arch I got goosebumps straight away.”
Carole Oakley, 62, and Judith Shaw, 62, added: “The Queen has done so much for this country. We want to show her what we all think of her.”
Sandra Brabbs, 48, and pal Jo Elworthy, 55, travelled from Yeovil, Somerset, to camp out for the first time with royal superfans Lesley Warren, 50, from Sittingbourne, Kent, and Munever Halil, 59, from Catford, south east London, who has been watching royal events for 30 years.
Sandra told the Mirror: “I just think I had to do it because we are never going to get another chance to do this again.
“I think that this is the last time we will publically see the Queen like this and after this weekend she will step back.
“The atmosphere is just electric. It’s so exciting to be a part of it.”
Fiona Chappell, 55, and Sammi Day, 33, also stocked up on ponchos, sleeping bags and champagne to set up camp on The Mall for the first time.
The pair, from Basingstoke, said they wanted to come to show their gratitude to the Queen.
Fiona said: “I have never done this before but we just felt it was really important to do it this time.
“Really to say thank you to the Queen because she does an amazing job.
“I am not a massive royal fan but I love the Queen. I think her dedication and service to this country is amazing.
“She’s the only person we can always count on to represent us.”
