A monarchist from Kent spent her birthday camping out on The Mall to ensure a prime spot for the Queen's State Funeral.

Lesley Warren traveled to London with friends and family from her home in Sittingbourne on Saturday, her 51st birthday.

Her pals presented her with a cake - complete with candles - and serenaded her with "Happy Birthday" along with other people camping on the thoroughfare near Buckingham Palace on Saturday night.

Lesley said: “My friend Sandra bought me a cake and we lit candles last night.

“It was amazing, about 20 people came over and sang me happy birthday. It was very special.

“Buckingham Palace is not a bad place to spend your birthday!

“It was also quite warm on Saturday night so we were all oayk. Everyone was friendly and all got together."

Lesley has been to many royal occasions. She also attended the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Diamond Jubilee plus William and Kate’s wedding.

She and her friends were sat amongst numerous flags and photos.

Lesley added: “When you do it time and time again you add more and more stuff to the display, so now we have all sorts that we take with us everywhere we go.”

She is camping out with her daughter Victoria Warren, her granddaughter Darci May and her friend Sandra Brabbs who she met when she came to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Sandra, 48, from Yeovil, Somerset, who bought the cake, said: “I had a nightmare as I dropped the first cake I bought on the floor before I came here so I had to get a replacement!

“Luckily, I got a new one because it was such a special moment celebrating with all these people.”

Source: SWNS