Thousands of well-wishers braved the morning chill near Westminster Abbey in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royal wedding.

Clutching Union Flags and home-made signs with messages for the happy couple, royal fans refused to let the grey London skies dampen their spirits. Some wore tiaras while others painted their legs and faces red, white and blue to mark the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Several fans have been camped outside the abbey for days but others got on packed early-morning trains, carrying fold-up seats, hats and balloons.

Sisters Joan Fuller, 69, and Brenda Rowlands, 60, got up at 5am to secure their place in Parliament Square, which is part of the royal wedding route.

Mrs Fuller travelled from near Doncaster in South Yorkshire to her sister's house in Woking, Surrey, on Thursday.

"I walked the entire route as soon as I got here to have a look and see what was going on," she said.

"I love the royal family and have sat on the Mall for many royal occasions, the last being the Queen's jubilee. I am really looking forward to seeing William and Kate together and the atmosphere is amazing. There are thousands of visitors here, I just think it's really good for the country.

"Diana would be very proud of William because she was so family orientated. William and Kate look so happy, I'm sure she would be delighted."

Husband and wife Julian and Brenda Swinstead, both 61, arrived in the UK three days ago from Darwin in Australia.

Mr Swinstead, draped in an Australian flag, said: "My wife told me that I had better not plan anything for the 29th as she would be watching the wedding on TV with her daughter. I thought I could do better than that so I bought tickets to come over. It's a carnival atmosphere and we are loving it. We've come for the wedding but also for the parties."