Royal superfans arrive early to catch a glimpse of Kate and the others after they take their Christmas Day stroll to church

Royal superfans have arrived in Norfolk to catch a glimpse of Kate Middleton and the family when they take their Christmas Day walk to church later today.

Queues began forming outside the gates of Sandringham from 7:30pm last night to secure the best spot. 

That included self-confessed royal superfans John Loughrey and Sky London.

The friends spent the night sleeping al fresco wrapped in sleeping bags.

Mr Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth in London, said: ‘The weather has been damp, it’s been soaking through the sleeping bag and I’ve had an hour’s sleep. But it doesn’t matter.’

He said he empathised with Kate and her recent health issues because his late partner Marion Crean died with skin cancer in 2003.

Mr Loughrey, wearing a T-shirt depicting a montage of the Princess, and holding a Christmas rose bouquet for her, said: ‘Catherine has been an inspiration to us all, and her positivity has been amazing to see, she’s got support all around the world.

‘She has told us she is not out of the woods, but we want to stay positive.

‘We also all want to see King Charles and Queen Camilla because of course they’ve not been well.

‘It has been a difficult year for them and there are millions of people supporting them.

‘I’ve met the King before and he said to me he has never seen anyone wearing so many badges before.

‘I think to be honest there probably isn’t anyone in the world who has seen the Royal Family as many times as me, and I’m proud of that.

‘My friends know what I’m like, that this is my passion. Sometimes people say silly things but I love doing this.’

Mr London, 64, from Paddington in north London, was also wearing a customised Kate T-shirt and holding a bouquet for the princess.

He said: ‘John and I have had a good laugh, he kept trying to yap to me last night so I didn’t get much sleep.

‘The only place I’d rather be than outside here at Sandringham today is probably inside Sandringham with them. So this is the next best thing.

‘When you do this sort of thing you don’t actually need much sleep, you feel refreshed and ready to go.

‘It means the world to me to see them.

‘I really want to see William again. I spoke to him before and he said: ‘Don’t call me Prince William, I’m just William.’

‘And he is – he’s very down to earth. Unfortunately he’s an Aston Villa fan and I’m Birmingham City, their rivals, but that doesn’t put me off him.’

American tourist Stacie Scrimshaw said she put her own family Christmas celebrations on hold back home so she could realise a long-held ambition to be at Sandringham for the royal visit.

The 55-year-old, from Brainerd in Minnesota, said: ‘I’ve come to the UK especially for this.

‘I decided a few years ago that I needed to come to a Christmas event here at Sandringham once in my life.

‘I told my family: “Don’t plan for me this year.” So we are having a Christmas when I’m back home in a few days.

‘I have such an affinity with the royals, ever since Charles and Diana got engaged. Before that I always thought princes and princesses only existed in Disney but they changed that.

‘Diana was a huge influence on me and what I have done in my life.

‘When she passed I said: I didn’t get to meet her but I will get to meet her sons one day.

‘Last year I got to meet William and Catherine at the coronation. They talked with me and ask so much about me, and I had a selfie with Kate.

‘She is so gracious. Everything that’s happened this year to them, I would love to be able to express to her how much joy she brings to people around the world.

‘Her stoicism is inspirational. She is light and love and kindness.’

She added: ‘I stayed nearby and then rented a hire car and drove here for 6am today – it’s so expensive but completely worth it.

‘Most of my family know not to question me too much about this. My mom said they will miss me but they know I like to follow my passion.’

Fellow royal fan Martin Lawrie, 68, from Potters Bar in north London, said he hopes his cockerpoo Millais (CORR) would attract the attention of dog-lover Queen Camilla.

Mr Lawrie, whose beloved pet was dressed in a Christmas hat and jumper and perched in a small trolley, said: ‘We got here at 5.30am today, my partner and I were going to be on our own with the dog this year because the kids are abroad so we thought we would come here.

‘We go to a lot of the pageantry, it’s nice to see it and feel part of it.

‘The royals have had a difficult year, they have experience health problems that a lot of other people have had too, who can empathise with them, so in that sense they are just like everybody else.

‘And we’ve brought Millais – I know Camilla is a dog lover, so the dog in a buggy was a bit of a strategy, we are hoping to get her attention, maybe she will come over and make a bit of a fuss of the dog.’