TWO madcap monarchists are camping outside Buckingham Palace for 36 HOURS this weekend for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Louise Robson and Graham Hollingworth, from Cemetery Road, York, want a bird's-eye view of the monarch as she parades down The Mall on Monday and Tuesday.

They will bed down on the pavement in sleeping bags and rely on free cups of tea from the Salvation Army.

"We don't want to miss a thing," said Louise, who works at York City Art Gallery and Past Times.

"We are planning to arrive in London early on Monday morning, visit Kensington Palace and then take up our space on The Mall for the next 36 hours.

"I had to rope Graham into coming along."

The 22-year-old former University of York student queued for nearly seven hours recently to pay her respects to the Queen Mother in Westminster Abbey.

Her love of the Royal Family comes from her mum, who used to dress her up in replica Princess Diana dresses.

"I've always been interested in Royal history," she said.

"I love what they represent and the sense of duty and stoicism.

I'm a big fan of tradition and pageantry."

The pair will watch the "party at the Palace" on a large screen outside and see the Queen light the Jubilee beacon and start the fireworks display.

They will be in prime position to cheer on the mass procession which will wind its way to St Paul's cathedral.

"My friends think I'm mad," said Louise.

"I see it as a bit of fun. It's something to remember and tell our kids about."

"We probably won't sleep much - I just hope there are Portaloos outside the Palace."

- A Jubilee celebration will take place on the recreation ground at Rillington, near Malton, on Tuesday, between 2pm and 4pm - with a family picnic, including raffles, a disco and stalls, then between 6pm and midnight there will be a barbecue with a licensed bar and a bouncy castle. Admission is free.


Updated: 10:09 Saturday, June 01, 2002