<p>"After watching the rehearsals at 5am a few days before I thought I had better watch the real thing...
</p><p>"I arrived just after 2pm the day before. Other than around Westminster and Buckingham Place the crowds were building up but there was still plenty of space to pitch my little tent in the front row. I chose a space about 100 yards away from Clarence House not far from the small gate to the garden. Later in the afternoon I saw a small crowd about 20ft away. I took a look to see it was Camilla. At first I thought it was one of those look-a-likes you often see at these events. Then I saw about 4 security men, all similar plain clothes keeping some of the crowd back...
</p><p>"I took a stroll along along the route to Westminster Abbey. Hundreds of people were still flowing into the area to take a look and the police where having to work hard to look after them especially as the roads were still open to traffic.
</p><p>"Back at base camp a politely smart dressed lady walked by and offered free teas and coffee. My thought to "what charity was this?". I soon discovered that this was staff from Clarence House who had sent a few of their own trolley dollies to give out refreshments to those staying overnight. How kind of them.
</p><p>"Through the evening more cars came and went from the main gate of Clarence House. Mostly fast cars with dark back windows that I could not see. Later in the evening William and Harry came for a walk-about. They seemed so excited and relaxed.
</p>
"After a walk to Big Ben to catch the mid-night chimes I managed to catch a few hours cold sleep prior to hearing the familiar noise of more people turning up and chatting, the road sweeper lorries and the sun rising. The day time police turned up and took their place. TV crews walked up and down looking for interesting people to talk to."
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/57989987@N00">John Pannell</a> from Watford, UK
CC BY 2.0
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