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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to sleep on the Mall? 👑

290 replies

PolkaDotMankini · 27/04/2023 19:01

10yo DD desperately wants to sleep overnight on the Mall so she can see the king going past in his golden carriage. I rashly said last year (when I refused to take her to QEII's funeral) that I'd consider it.

But I don't want to. It's raining and cold. It means sleeping on the ground. It will be packed, the loos will be grim and we'll lose our place when we use them. We'll be surrounded by royalist nutters screaming "We love you, King Charles!" and knuckling their foreheads. We'd get a much better view on TV in the comfort of our own home.

I couldn't care less about the monarchy, other than that the parades are cool and I don't see how they could possibly do a worse job than an elected politician.

DD is very disappointed. AIBU to say no and tell her she can go to William's coronation when she'll likely be old enough to sort it out herself?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
AllIwantforChristmas22 · 27/04/2023 19:29

Seriously she will always remember it. Why did you promise it to her and now you are miserable about it? Pack warm clothes, snacks and you will have a laugh and she will have a special experience.

ChufftyBadge · 27/04/2023 19:31

So it looks as if there's no camping anyway. Do you live close enough to get there in time without the sleepover?

SchoolTripDrama · 27/04/2023 19:32

PortiasBiscuit · 27/04/2023 19:10

My sisters went to see the queen lying in State, they had a fantastic time. It’ll be a memory.

A fantastic time? To pay respects to a recently deceased body? HmmBiscuit

tara66 · 27/04/2023 19:33

OP - I'm entirely with you on this one.
Can you not bribe her with something else?
Perhaps some other event, a present , her bedroom redecorated etc

SparkyBlue · 27/04/2023 19:33

Go and do it. She will never ever forget it. And I'm absolutely not a royalist (I'm not in the UK) but this really is a special event.

teezletangler · 27/04/2023 19:35

I would actually do this if my DD wanted to. It won't be the most comfortable night, but it will be an amazing experience for her.

FixItUpChappie · 27/04/2023 19:36

Life is full of little disappointments - she will get over it

There is no way would I wait that long or sleep outside to see a carriage roll by. Let her throw a little viewing party and make treats to watch it on the television

SummeryAF · 27/04/2023 19:36

He’s not using the golden carriage sadly.

ReadersD1gest · 27/04/2023 19:36

PortiasBiscuit · 27/04/2023 19:10

My sisters went to see the queen lying in State, they had a fantastic time. It’ll be a memory.

What a peculiar post Hmm

OneCup · 27/04/2023 19:36

It wouldn't be my cup of tea either ( I refuse to go camping for a reason) and I'm not a monarchist but think it would be a nice memory for her. Actually it's nice she s interested in history rather than asking to queue overnight for some boy band.

Spanielsarepainless · 27/04/2023 19:38

I read on the BBC website that the public viewing areas only open at 6 a.m. on the day, so sleeping on the Mall might not be possible anyway.

WheelsUp · 27/04/2023 19:40

I wouldn't want to do that either. Waiting in a queue at the chemist for 25 minutes was testing enough.

If she's into the Royals then I suggest that she send a card or letter in the hope that she will eventually receive a reply. It may take a few months but it will be a lot easier and cheaper

Cherrysherbet · 27/04/2023 19:41

If you said you would take her, then you should. Simple.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 27/04/2023 19:41

Why not put your child first.
It's your fault she wants to go. You shouldn't have hinted you might take her in the first place if you had no intention of doing so.

Justbekind2yourself · 27/04/2023 19:43

LadyKenya · 27/04/2023 19:07

Just channel your inner Zammo.

🤣

dudsville · 27/04/2023 19:44

Royalist or not this is not a once in a lifetime chance.... unless he's an alien.

Bluesheep8 · 27/04/2023 19:46

Just channel your inner Zammo.

🤣

chipsandpeas · 27/04/2023 19:46

so dont take her, your daughter will learn that your promises are worth shit

Crikeyalmighty · 27/04/2023 19:49

Have to be honest- I wouldn't do it but then I would have said no at the time

Grumpypotamus · 27/04/2023 19:50

ReadersD1gest · 27/04/2023 19:36

What a peculiar post Hmm

Show quote history

Agree. Very odd.

Kanaloa · 27/04/2023 19:50

It’s a shame you promised when you didn’t want to do it. I mean dd wanted to go to America to see Taylor Swift but I just said ‘no of course not, it’s far far too expensive and we’re not in America.’ But you said yes and now a week before you’re saying no, which could be frustrating to a kid. If you don’t want to I would avoid any ‘we’ll see’ or ‘maybe’ and just say no.

LIZS · 27/04/2023 19:51

SummeryAF · 27/04/2023 19:36

He’s not using the golden carriage sadly.

Thought they were using it on the return trip.

brunettemic · 27/04/2023 19:51

Plan something else around it and suggest when she’s older and William gets coronated she can go then.

roxyballroom · 27/04/2023 19:53

PolkaDotMankini · 27/04/2023 19:01

10yo DD desperately wants to sleep overnight on the Mall so she can see the king going past in his golden carriage. I rashly said last year (when I refused to take her to QEII's funeral) that I'd consider it.

But I don't want to. It's raining and cold. It means sleeping on the ground. It will be packed, the loos will be grim and we'll lose our place when we use them. We'll be surrounded by royalist nutters screaming "We love you, King Charles!" and knuckling their foreheads. We'd get a much better view on TV in the comfort of our own home.

I couldn't care less about the monarchy, other than that the parades are cool and I don't see how they could possibly do a worse job than an elected politician.

DD is very disappointed. AIBU to say no and tell her she can go to William's coronation when she'll likely be old enough to sort it out herself?

Are you quite a negative person? You sound it. Maybe don't give your DD false hope in the first place, then you wouldn't have this problem.