WHEN a member of the Royal Family visits a city there are usually road closures, hundreds lining the streets and plenty of flag-waving. But sometimes just one person, a true fanatic from Newport, is there to greet them.
For more than 50 years, Carol Bader, of Malpas Road, has been on hand every time a member of the Royal Family visits Gwent, even, on occasion, taking leave from work.
So far she has met the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew and Prince William, over dozens of royal visits.
Just last week she waited patiently outside EADS Defence and Security Systems for the visit of Prince Andrew. Sporting a Union Flag T-shirt, Carol, 58, greeted the Duke of York with a white rose surrounded by daffodils.
Although she did not have the chance to speak to him, a wave from the royal guest, whose visit marked news of the firm's £35 million expansion project, was enough to satisfy her.
And she was able to take a picture of her hero, which she has added to other snaps of royalty.
"I'm a passionate supporter of the royals," said the mother of two. "I was delighted to get a wave from Prince Andrew because it was the first time I have seen him.
"It was my mum who made me passionate about them. "The Queen is my favourite because she works so hard, but it gives me a buzz every time I see them.
"People think I'm mad but I don't care. I'll never fall out of love with them." Last year, Carol, who works in the education department of Newport city council, was once again the lone figure when she greeted Prince Edward with a single sunflower outside St Paul's Church in Commercial Street in the city.
The Earl of Wessex was in Gwent on a whistle-stop tour to highlight the good work being done to help the disadvantaged.
It was the first time Mrs Bader had met him. Defending the low turnout at royal events, she said she was sometimes the only supporter because they were private visits.
As well as royalty, Carol is a massive fan of Newport and Cliff Richard, and took pictures of celebrities taking part in a golf tournament at the Celtic Manor last summer.
"I'm as passionate about Newport as I am about the Royal Family and Cliff Richard," she said.
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