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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask for help planning a Princess Day for DD(10)?

50 replies

PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 09:45

well clearly yes as I'm obviously posting for traffic!!

I need to arrange an extra special birthday treat for DD who will be 10 (cultural reasons why 10 is important on DH's side) She is a 50/50 split of pink and girly and princessy and wanting to be elegant and grown up.

I was thinking of trying to do a princess/ladylike day out/overnight for her but I'm struggling with just where to take her as i'm a total tomboy!! I was thinking maybe a historic palace/castle visit? very posh afternoon tea/lunch?

We are Bristol area but travel is easy and I have a budget of approx £1000 for this. I'm thinking London may be the best option?

I would love opinions and recommendations on places to go that would have the ladylike/princess vibe so she can feel like grown up royalty for the day/two days.

(Please can we not get sidetracked on what we are prepared to spend/spoiling children etc. 10th needs to be a 'big deal' for our family)

Thank you!!

OP posts:
StylishPanda · 15/02/2022 09:47

I would go to London, see Frozen the musical and do afternoon tea somewhere. A 'grown up' experience where she can dress up nicely and have hair/nails done, but young enough to be fun and exciting

Florencenotflo · 15/02/2022 09:48

With that kind of budget I would do London, a posh afternoon tea somewhere like the Ritz (but get it booked ASAP) and stay over somewhere nice. Maybe a show? That's the grown up part. To cover the child in her you could do the toy shops, harrods, hamleys, Disney store? I think the Disney store in London is now the only shop, it's all online now.

Londondreams1 · 15/02/2022 09:49

There’s a place near Liverpool that does literal princess days for girls. They go with their friends to a place with a boutique type atmosphere, choose the hairstyle they want from a catalogue, and can just generally relax altogether.
I’m sure there’s similar in London. Might be a good way to start off the day?

NewYearNewMinty · 15/02/2022 09:55

How about this if you're thinking of London?

afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london/victoria-westminster/the-rubens-at-the-palace/offers/little-prince-and-princess-afternoon-tea-in-rubens-at-the-palace/

Which you could combine with a visit to Buckingham Palace?

Or this...where you get access to a vintage dressing up box and a chaise longe for photos!

www.bettyblythe.co.uk/bb_Afternoon_Tea

NewYearNewMinty · 15/02/2022 09:59

For theatre shows there's Frozen or Six...the musical about Henry VIIIs wives (suitable from 10 up so might be good if she wants to feel a little more grown up).

www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/12201-six-the-musical

www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23585-frozen-the-musical

LuckyAmy1986 · 15/02/2022 10:01

Defo fancy hotel and lunchtime afternoon tea in london. In the afternoon a salon visit to do age appropriate hair and nails. Then fancy dresses for a west end show and dinner before back to luxury hotel!!

LuckyAmy1986 · 15/02/2022 10:01

I may have gone overboard there..

Fartooparanoid · 15/02/2022 10:04

Would she want to share the experience with a few friends or just share it with immediate family?

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:06

wow thank you! some lovely ideas already. will check out those links now!

It will likely be just her and me (we have 4DC so one on one time is a prized commodity!)

OP posts:
BooksAndHooks · 15/02/2022 10:10

What would she like to do? I know my daughter wouldn’t be at all interested in process girly things for her 10th birthday and she’d have seen a posh afternoon tea and castles as something that I wanted to do for me rather than her.

But if that’s the sort of thing she would enjoy there’s some good ideas on here already.

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:11

newyearnewminty that rubens afternoon tea looks amazing!! so many afternoon teas are a bit too sophisticated for DD's taste buds but this is excellent!!

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 15/02/2022 10:12

i would stay in a really really nice hotel, do a posh afternoon tea, musical, shopping, the hotel will probably have a spa so you could book a facial/nails etc.

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:12

booksand hooks believe me this is my idea of hell!! this is exactly what DD would love (as i did say in my OP....)

OP posts:
NewYearNewMinty · 15/02/2022 10:12

@PrincessProblems there's loads of really lovely kid themed afternoon teas if you have a Google.

Buckingham Palace only has limited opening but there are other options if you want to do something royal themed:

www.rct.uk/visit/the-royal-mews-buckingham-palace

www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/#gs.p5s0ms

www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle

www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/#gs.p5s3e5

NewYearNewMinty · 15/02/2022 10:13

I'm currently planning a trip to London for my DDs 18th in September but I could do this kind of thing all day long Grin.

Crimesean · 15/02/2022 10:17

First have an affair, and get the tabloids to publish salacious details. Then get your child's uncle arrested for sexual abuse of a minor, and make sure prior to that he's seen in public with a convicted paedophile (check your local sex offenders register, there are plenty to choose from).

Hire some burly security guards to follow DD around all day making sure no-one gets to close to her.

Plan a visit to a local school, a major charity, and a sporting event.

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:18

newyearnewminty you are amazing! i tried google for a bit but got overwhelmed! I'm more of a country walks in my wellies sort of gal!! You've definitely given me some great ideas!

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 15/02/2022 10:20

I would definitely say a nice children's afternoon tea in London then a show. If she is too old for Frozen then try Mary Poppins or Lion King (if you really want to push the boat out you can book the Ambassador Lounge but it's probably not worth it as it includes champagne etc.)

I wouldn't say Six for her just yet. It's very much in the style of a pop concert.

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:25

Her granny took her to Frozen but I will have a look at other shows.

I think she would enjoy the splendour of the buck palace state rooms and I love the rubens afternoon tea!

Anyone got some elegant hotel recommendations? something with a good view perhaps?

OP posts:
Postdatedpandemic · 15/02/2022 10:28

At 10 DD's idea of Princess day would be horse riding at Gatcombe.

LuckyAmy1986 · 15/02/2022 10:34

@PrincessProblems there are just so many hotels it’s overwhelming. One I will always remember fondly is the royal horsegusrds, just by Trafalgar Square so great location. I felt posh being there!

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:35

postdated yes please! that would be mine too! or possibly Badminton....

OP posts:
LuckyAmy1986 · 15/02/2022 10:36

Oh and that would work well for shows and the palace!

Postdatedpandemic · 15/02/2022 10:41

My DF took me to the ballet at about that age. I may have danced like a dyspraxic ostrich but was fascinated. We sat right near the front and watch the dancers feet, the chalk clouds and got hit but the odd bit of sweat, it was great.
Don't take her shopping, beauty salon etc. Take something she has a slight interest in and push the boundaries.

Original poster
PrincessProblems · 15/02/2022 10:43

Luckyamy that is lovely! hmmm...budget is getting blown apart!

Buck Palace
Afternoon Tea
Show
Hotel

Sounds like the beginnings of a plan!!

OP posts:
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