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Royal enthusiasts have begun camping out in front of Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

John Loughrey was first to arrive on Monday night, and said he planned to stay in his position to ensure a prime spot for the event on Friday.

The 56-year-old from Wandsworth, south-west London, said: "I have always been loyal to the Royal Family."

He was joined on Tuesday by Guen Murray, 76, from Attleborough, Norfolk.

The mother-of-four arrived with a suitcase, a roll of bedding and a large ball of wool so she could knit during the week.

Mr Loughrey was dressed in a Kate and William T-shirt stating "Diana would be proud".

The former assistant chef - a self-confessed "super fan" of the late Diana, Princess of Wales - also wore a Union flag hat.

He said of the Royal Family: "We have had them for more than 1,000 years and they make a great contribution to the life of this country."

Mr Loughrey also spent four days camped outside following the death of Diana in 1997.

He said he thought Miss Middleton and William would be together "forever".

Mrs Murray said she camped outside Buckingham Palace for the wedding of Diana to Prince Charles 30 years ago.

She did the same for the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986 and went to Windsor when Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles.

Mrs Murray thought Friday's ceremony would be "great", adding: "I think they both deserve a good day - they have waited long enough, haven't they?"

About 200,000 people are expected to flock to Hyde Park and about 20,000 will gather in Trafalgar Square, where screens will show highlights.