Are you Ready for The Royal Wedding? This Plonker certainly is... ~ Hollywood News

With his trusty sleeping bag, two carrier bags and a Union Flag hat, this is the first Royal Wedding fan to stake out a place in front of Westminster Abbey for the big day.

Dedicated John Loughrey, 56, slept out on the pavement last night as he began his week-long vigil to ensure a prime position.

He was dressed in a Kate and William T-shirt, emblazoned with the words 'Diana Would Be Proud' with the images of Kate and William tied round his waist and a Union flag hat.

Dedicated: Royal Wedding fan John Loughrey has already begun camping out to get a good spot for the big day

John Loughrey believes William and Kate will be together forever

The former assistant chef, from Wandsworth, south west London, a self-confessed "super fan" of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, said he planned to stay in his position until Saturday.

He said: "I have always been loyal to the Royal Family."

"I think they are good for Britain and good for tourism. We have had them for more than 1,000 years and they make a great contribution to the life of this country."

Mr Loughrey said he had attended every single hearing of the inquest into the death of Diana, camping for three days outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.

He became so well-known at the inquest - with 'Diana' and later 'Dodi' painted on his face - that he was even given a special mention by the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker.

Mr Loughrey, whose partner Marion died of skin cancer in 2003, also spent four days camped outside following the death of Diana in 1997.

He said he believed Miss Middleton and William would be together 'forever'.

'They have taken their time over marriage, unlike the Prince's late mother - she got married maybe far too young,' he said.

'The Prince has learned from his mother to take his time.'