Moment Prince William spots ‘Diana’s biggest superfan’ in Sandringham crowd and calls out to him by name – before introducing him to Charlotte, Louis and George
Prince William spotted ‘Diana’s biggest fan’ among the crowds queuing to greet the royal at Sandringham yesterday.
But the Prince delighted royal fanatic John Loughrey, 70, by calling him out by name before introducing him to Charlotte, Louis and George.
Wearing a hat covered in Royal Family pins and carrying gifts for William’s children, Mr Loughrey wished the family a merry Christmas and told Prince George: ‘Diana would be proud of you.’
The royal children politely greet the superfan and thank him for his gifts, with Charlotte adding: “Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you.”
King II Even Charles recognized the man who was called Princess Diana’s biggest fan.
As the monarch shook hands and greeted festive well-wishers who lined up outside Sandringham Estate in Norfolk yesterday, she noticed Mr Loughrey’s impressive badge collection and said: ‘You’ve collected more badges since last year!’
John Loughrey, from Wandsworth in south-west London, arrived at 9pm on Christmas Eve and spent the night in a folding chair outside the gates, and was first in the queue outside the Sandringham War Memorial gates to greet the royals on Christmas Day.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘It was cold but I had heating pads in my jumpers and hand warmers.
Prince William spotted John Loughrey and introduced him to his three children (George, Louis and Charlotte)
Prince George and Louis are seen shaking Mr Loughrey’s hand and accepting gifts as they walk through the crowd
Mr Loughrey gifted Prince William a portrait of himself holding the Union Jack in 2012
King Charles noted Mr Loughrey’s impressive badge collection, which he said had increased since last year.
Princess Kate looked dazzling as she greeted fans in a silk scarf and purple plaid coat yesterday
‘There’s something special about sharing Christmas Day with royalty at Sandringham.’
The royal mega-fan also came armed with a portrait she painted in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales in 2012, which she hopes to pass on to Prince William.
The retired sous chef was painted by artist Rebecca Francesca Cartwright de Fontenelle and featured in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters 2012 exhibition.
“I’ve met him a few times before,” Mr. Loughrey said of Prince William.
‘I last saw William at the Centrepoint homeless charity a few weeks ago and told him I was bringing a special gift to Sandringham.’
Mr Loughrey also met William in March when he visited the mental health charity called Mental Health Innovations (MHI) in the White City, which was set up by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2017.
Prince William also stopped to greet Mr Loughrey in March, where he discussed plans to commission more royal memorabilia.
The superfan, well known to the press, is a regular visitor to St Paul’s Cathedral and when the Queen dies in 2022, he planned to camp out outside Buckingham Palace for ten days to mourn.
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Should superfans camp out for days to see the royal family, or is this crossing the line into obsession?
King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family past crowds of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of the family on Christmas Day
The Princess of Wales looked dazzling as she greeted fans with her daughter Princess Charlotte
Princess Beatrice and her husband Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi also made an unexpected appearance, despite rumors that they would spend Christmas elsewhere.
Yesterday, senior Royals greeted crowds heading to and from Mary Magdalene Church at the traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
King Charles led the parade alongside Queen Camilla, who stood out in her bright red coat and matching hat. The couple looked relaxed and cheerful as they greeted the crowd on the sunny but chilly morning.
After the hour-long ceremony, the family returned to Sandringham House for a Christmas dinner hosted by the King, stopping once more to greet the public on the way back.
Also making a surprise appearance on the day were the King’s nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who attended despite speculation they might spend Christmas elsewhere this year.
Beatrice was later joined by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who wished members of the press a merry Christmas as the family departed.
Other royals pictured include Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and their children Lady Louise, 22, and James, Viscount Severn, 17, and Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence.
Zara and Mike Tindall attended with their children Mia, Lena and Lucas, while Peter Phillips was joined by his daughters Savannah and Isla.
