Watch: Coronation Royal Family superfan camped out on London’s The Mall by Buckingham Palace

A growing number of people are claiming a pitch in The Mall, ahead of the massive crowds which will gather for the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday (May 6).

For Rachel from Norwich it is the first time camping out, having gone for a hotel for the Queen’s funeral and William and Kate’s wedding. This time she wants a better view.

“I thought for the Coronation I want front row. I don’t want anyone in front of me blocking the view. You’ve got to camp out if you want the front row,” she said.

Rachel’s support for the royals goes back years.

“William and Catherine were married twelve years ago and I was [in The Mall] at their wedding so - well over a decade,” she said.

Asked about the prospect of Charles as king, she said he was decades ahead by advocating for organic farming and sustainable methods.

“I think he’s had long enough training and hopefully he’s learned a lot from his mum, watching the Queen and how she did it, so I think he’ll do alright,” she said.

“He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s not stupid.”

Rachel is full of praise for the Queen.

“She was like a surrogate granny for me. She was always on the telly. She was always there,” she said.

“And when she did her little speech for Covid, she was like an anchor, she was really reassuring. I found it really reassuring.”