A woman dubbed the world's most devoted royal watcher travelled 11,600-miles to pay her last respects to her beloved Queen. Julia McCarthy-Fox journeyed from New Zealand, forking out around £2,500 for the flight home.
When Julia emigrated from Horsham in West Sussex in 2019, her devoted love for the royal family never faltered. She visited every corner of the country and has been around the world to take photos and meet the Queen.
Since arriving back on British soil, the 57-year-old has set up camp on The Mall. She enjoyed front row seats to see Her Majesty arrive back at Buckingham Palace for the final time.
"It was quite odd when she arrived, but it was very moving, as her coffin was lit up like a spotlight as the hearse arrived in the dark and rain," she said. "I think the reality really hit me when I saw the car, it was very emotional."
From seeing the Queen's coffin heading up The Mall, she headed off to join the long and winding queue to see her lying-in state. She said: "I'm hoping to get to the front this morning.
"I can sleep standing up so I will have to do that in the queue, but I don't know if I can sleep and walk. I have packed lots of chocolate so I will be living off that."
For the funeral she plans to be in London the night before and head out at around 3am to say her final goodbyes to the Queen. She flies back to New Zealand on September 27.
She said: "While it has been hard and frustrating at times I am so glad I have come. I would have regretted it if I didn't."
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