Northern Ireland royalists on the Mall for King's Coronation

"It's a once in a lifetime experience so why not?"

As well as a bike and Lego, a trip to London for the King's Coronation was a birthday present for nine-year-old Henry Burnett, from Lurgan in County Armagh.

He and his mum Victoria set up camp on the Mall on Friday night - and they weren't the only ones.

For days, all along the Mall has been rows deep with eager royalists keen to reserve a decent space to watch history unfold.

Despite the rain, thunder and sunshine, the mood is a far cry from the sombre affair eight months ago when hundreds of thousands of people paid their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

There are lots of tents, tea and buns and a sense of cheery camaraderie.

Among them are a number who have travelled from Northern Ireland to witness the historic occasion - and maybe catch a glimpse of world leaders and celebrity guests as well as the newly-crowned King and Queen.

Some have camped near the Buckingham Palace, while others have a more comfortable bed for the night.

Victoria, who is a nurse, explained how Henry has always loved the Royal Family.

He was keen to go to the Queen's funeral but they could not manage it so she wanted to do this for him.

"I promised him once the coronation was announced we would book and come so the date was released and we booked flights and a hotel on the same day."

She was bit nervous about sleeping out all night but says: "It's a once in a lifetime so why not?"

Henry's favourite royal is Prince George because "he's the same age as me".

So what was Henry looking forward to most?

"Seeing the King coming from Westminster Abbey with Head of State Crown on him with the orb and the stick."

Harpist Lesley Magee, from Ballymoney in County Antrim, camped out from 02:00 BST on Saturday.

On Friday, Lesley got a handshake with King Charles during his walkabout on the Mall.

"He thanked a young guy beside me for sleeping overnight in his tent. He asked if there was a cooker in the tent and the guy retorted: 'Sorry, Your Majesty, we can't cook for you.'"

Lesley says she has come to London because "this is a huge historical occasion - I want to see the pomp and circumstance of everything that is going on here".

"I also particularly want to see the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry. I've been over for royal weddings and the Queen's funeral and I've learned about patience doing these events!"

As a musician, she is interested in the music the King has chosen for the ceremony.

"It's a mix of traditional and modern," she said.

Lauren Alcorn and Dylan Robertson, from Limavady in County Londonderry, arrived to torrential rain.

"My granny, who passed last year, was a royalist so I just wanted to come over and experience it myself - there's a bit of a disconnect with the royals from the younger generation," Dylan told BBC News NI.

"This is history and it's amazing to see all different nationalities here."

Lauren said: "I just wanted to experience the whole occasion of everybody getting together to celebrate the King.

"My family are really into the royals so I have always wanted to experience the atmosphere."

Catherine Grant travelled from Portadown, County Armagh, on Thursday with her husband Jason and their children, two-year-old Sophia and four-month-old Will.

"We didn't want to leave the children behind at home when we wanted to be here - and we just thought it would be a lovely memory for them to say they were here for the King's Coronation," Catherine told BBC News NI.

"We were here for the jubilee, for royal weddings - but this is the first event we have come with two children and a double buggy.

Patrick O'Neill is from west Belfast and has been a fan of the royal family all his life.

He was part of a group that camped out from Thursday night and he follows the royals when he can.

"I've made so many friends over the years that they are keeping my spot," Patrick, who has mobility issues, told BBC News NI.

"Because of my disability I can't be here all the time but I have built up friendships over the years and we all look out for each other."

He lost his mother around the time that Princess Diana died and has felt an affinity with the loss experienced by Princes William and Harry since then.

Brother and sister Sharon Farquhar and Derek Harkness from Larne, County Antrim, are here with their other sister.

Their late mother was a fan of the Royal Family and they've come as a family to remember her.

"We managed to see the King go past," said Sharon.

"It was definitely worth it - a part of history we will never forget."

After getting to the Mall at 05:00, the highlight for Derek was the "crowd, atmosphere and horses - it was absolutely fabulous".

Kim Sinclair from Lisburn and Elaine Hall from Moira in County Down found a prime camping spot to watch the procession.

They both went to Edinburgh after Queen Elizabeth II's death and wanted to witness a more celebratory occasion.

"We have come over to see the style from the royal guests," said Elaine.

"I came over with this lady, who gets me up at dawn but I am loving it and so pleased to be here," said Kim.

"It's such a momentous occasion in history - I have three wee grandchildren back home in Northern Ireland and I want to pass down that their nanny Kim was here for the Coronation."

Northern Ireland friends James, Michael and Neil, all 28, arrived on Friday morning to find a camping spot.

Michael added: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity - there hasn't been a Coronation in 70 years."

Johnny Irwin had a seat saved for him by his friends from back home in Northern Ireland so he was able to arrive early this morning to a good spot - and even managed a few hours of sleep.

"My highlight was seeing Princess Anne - I'm a big fan and I've seen her at the trooping of the colour," he said.

"Despite the rain, it's been worth it. It's a fantastic atmosphere. I'm so glad I came."