Platinum Jubilee: Royal fans camping out on the Mall days ahead of celebrations

Devoted royal fans have pitched their tents on the Mall to ensure their spots days ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations - despite fierce thunderstorms in the capital.

Marking Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne, the event has attracted an international camping audience, undeterred by the bad weather.

Donna Werner, 70, from Connecticut, said she flew in from the US on Saturday for the celebrations and has now set up a tent on the Mall with British friend Mary-Jane Willows.

She said: "It’s to show the Queen some love and respect for all she has done.

"I think that after 70 years of working in one job she should be honoured.

"She has done a wonderful job."

Mrs Werner, a retired housewife, said the Royal Family is well loved and respected in the US.

She added: "They love the pomp and the castles, they love reading about it."

Accompanying her in the celebrations is friend Mary-Jane Willows, 69, from Penzance, Cornwall.

They said they will watch the procession and the appearance on the balcony of what they hope will be Prince George.

Ms Willows explained the reason she came: "It is loyalty to the Queen.

"She has gone 70 years of her life and she deserves us here to say thank you and for us to give our love, respect and gratitude for all that she has done."