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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:
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Original poster
PolkaDotMankini · 27/04/2023 21:15

Right. I offered her the choice between having a coronation tea party at home with her friends, or going to London for 6am to watch from the Mall. I asked her what she thought she would see and she reckoned she'd meet the king and see him being crowned. When I explained that wasn't the case, she was very happy to invite her friends for a tea party instead.

I'll see if she changes her mind overnight. If not, I'm off the hook! 😊

OP posts:
Heronwatcher · 27/04/2023 21:19

If she’s that keen and you’ve promised I would suck it up and do it, but on the understanding that if it is truly grim/ pelting with rain you both go home, no arguments. It’s one or two nights max I assume, I think the weather will improve, you’re not likely to get robbed and I think you’ll keep your place if you make friends with people around you.

Justalittlebitduckling · 27/04/2023 21:21

Is the weather likely to be this awful?

notanicepersonapparently · 27/04/2023 21:22

I wouldn’t go because even if you think you have got a decent view it will be blocked at the last minute by people holding up their mobile phones. Speaking from experience.
A fab afternoon tea drunk from a souvenir mug she can treasure in front of the TV. She could even dress up for the occasion if she’s into that.

feelingfree17 · 27/04/2023 21:25

Do it. She will never forget it, and enjoy that special time with her, it’s a privilege. The years go by so fast.

squidgybits · 27/04/2023 21:29

She will remember it whether you do the mall or stay home and have a coronation party in the warm
I personally would not inconvenience myself for King Tampon but that's just me

Gonners · 27/04/2023 21:36

I'd suggest she hangs on for the next coronation, which will almost certainly be fairly soon - but she'll probably be old enough to go on her own.

Zanatdy · 27/04/2023 21:36

I said I was going to, I’ve not fully decided yet. I went to the funeral, sat on a slight hill in St James park. Why not, it’s a special and rare occasion.

SofiaSoFar · 27/04/2023 21:39

Might consider it if we could freely throw rotten eggs at the over-privileged twat.

Time4achangeagain · 27/04/2023 21:40

HermioneWeasley · 27/04/2023 19:13

When my son was 4 he has the mother of all tantrums because I wouldn’t heap his cereal up so high it touched the ceiling.

you are the parent. Is it your JOB to say “no” to daft ideas.

Actually made me LOL. This is my life right now 😂

marmaladegranny · 27/04/2023 21:41

When I was much younger that your daughter I was taken to the Mall to see the flags for Her Majesty’s coronation, not on the day but just after - I still remember it a very long time later. Take your DD - and make wonderful memories!!

ilovesushi · 27/04/2023 21:42

Only do it if you want to. Otherwise it will be pure torture and you will not be able to mask your resentment, boredom and discomfort. But... it might be an adventure and a great memory and before you know it you'll be swept up in the camararderie and excitement. I wouldn't do it in a million years, but DB and DSIL went to see the queen's coffin go by and had a fab time.

Iltakethat · 27/04/2023 21:42

Hugasauras · 27/04/2023 19:19

Sorry I do know what you mean but I'm giggling at the thought of people literally going to walk past a dead body and 'having a fantastic time' 😂

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣

As another pp said - you told her you do it. So now you MUST. Otherwise she'll never forgive you and will be set for years of therapy in the future.

Seriously though, I wouldn't fancy it either OP. Would a coronation party with her and her friends dressed in their best princess outfits not suffice? You could do it afternoon tea style with cakes, finger sandwiches and strawberries & cream etc. Set the tv up for them to watch, get a bit of Union Jack bunting etc?

Iltakethat · 27/04/2023 21:44

Gonners · 27/04/2023 21:36

I'd suggest she hangs on for the next coronation, which will almost certainly be fairly soon - but she'll probably be old enough to go on her own.

If he hangs in there as long as his dm it'll be another 22 years!

cocoloco117 · 27/04/2023 21:47

What is “knuckling their foreheads”?

DyslexicPoster · 27/04/2023 21:48

Meifly · 27/04/2023 20:46

That sounds awful!

I really try never to judge other parents but your poor child that you would put seeing a dead body over your DS's needs and force him to go through that.

I really hope that he is an adult and old enough to leave by himself but the way you've written that basically sounds like you forced a kid to go through what you describe as survival training, no toilet, no drink etc. because YOU wouldn't leave .

If that's the case then that is absolutely horrible and borderline abusive

Show quote history

Well for a start he is 15. It was his idea as he wants to be a historical author and history teacher. Life afirming experience i think he said. After being in a queue for ten hours almost near the end he could suck it up, which he did. I have four kids. We don't survive by rushing in to rescue each poor desision. He can learn from it. If he was begging me I might have considered but it was more of a 'fuck this I'm done' after the sun came up and I thought you have to be shiitting me after we got this far moment.

PhillySub · 27/04/2023 21:49

Unreasonable to tell her that she can go to Williams coronation. What are you going to do having already broken one promise if Charles dies in the next 2 years?

Kvetching · 27/04/2023 21:55

The horrific idea of doing this far exceeds any desire I’d have to please my kids. Luckily, my kids are staunch republicans!

I honestly think those flag wavers you see on the tv that are camping out, are a bit mentally challenged.

Portandlemonade · 27/04/2023 21:57

ThisSingleMama · 27/04/2023 19:11

I'd go and do it for the memory

LOL a very bad memory no doubt!

Portandlemonade · 27/04/2023 21:58

cocoloco117 · 27/04/2023 21:47

What is “knuckling their foreheads”?

Must be some version on tugging their forelocks, me lord.

Original poster
PolkaDotMankini · 27/04/2023 22:01

cocoloco117 · 27/04/2023 21:47

What is “knuckling their foreheads”?

It's an old-fashioned salute, showing you would have doffed your hat if you had been wearing one.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 27/04/2023 22:02

Battenberg cake at the party I think you should have. It is the surname the King would have were it not for the changing of surnames in WW1 by royals.

PurpleWisteria1 · 27/04/2023 22:03

I’m very jealous. I would absolutely love any of my kids to want to go. Or even my husband! Would absolutely love to be there. Not sure about sleeping but I would be there with my blanket, chair and food drink all ready to wait it out. Only live 1hr from London.
But none of my family (or nearby friends) are bothered and I’m not going alone.
Would love to have someone to go and share the atmosphere with!

SecretsIWouldNeverTell · 27/04/2023 22:04

Schabernacker · 27/04/2023 20:44

@LimeCheesecake The OP didn't promise anything at all! Why do people keep saying that she did?

OP said 'I rashly said last year (when I refused to take her to QEII's funeral) that I'd consider it...'

Startyabastard · 27/04/2023 22:09

Personally, I would not be doing it.
If there was an absolute guarantee that I would see the royals very vlose up and have a hand shake, then I might consider it.
It's cold and wet and I wouldn't sleep. Having said that, I have chronic insomnia.