To refuse to sleep on the Mall? 👑

[PolkaDotMankini]

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?

It would be a great memory and story whether it is a good experience or bad.

Oh go on. She'll remember it forever x

Don’t sleep over; just take her at 5am- she’ll get a place at the front of the barrier.

Can you hire a teenager to go and do it with her? Basically a babysitter?
They won't last the night.

Can you see if there are any hotels.along the route and get a room that would look out on the procession? You can chill with a g&t, private bathroom and watch from the window.

OP .. you promised … you will have to put your big girl pants on ( or several pairs depending on loo situation 😏) and do it… she will always remember it, for that reason I would do it.

I milled about St James Park before Kate & William got married, the atmosphere was fabulous, with entertainment and people generally having a fabulous time. There were also walkabouts by the Royals and other guests which added to the occasion. You guys could always head in the night before to soak up the atmosphere as an alternative solution?

I am so disinterested in the whole palaver, I only found out today that the coronation is next Saturday not Monday 8th. That's completely buggered my plans for meeting family in Piccadilly on the 6th.

That being said I think YABU. if I had kids who cared about this stuff I'd accommodate them. This might well be the last chance for 20+ years for them to see anything like this. If you didn't want to do it you should have been upfront when it was first mooted

I didn't watch the queen's platinum jubilee or her funeral. I won't be watching the king's coronation either.

My kids are teenagers and didn't watch them either. Despite the fact that I'm not a royalist (obviously) I do wonder if they should have watched as they were historical events?

Kids can watch the coronation on the TV or go to a local street party!

Oh they're grim! They make me feel itchy!

A fantastic time, going to see a dead monarch in state? That's so weird?

T shirts are awful.

Hope for the party that is going to happen instead for the OP and her DD, there are drinks for the adults who will attend.

I'd do it if DD wanted to, I've done all sorts of nonsense over the years.

Wrap up and go for it.
It may be enjoyable especially if your DD loves it.

We (husband and I) said we would go along, we thought it would be a once in a lifetime thing, see some history. I decided not to when I saw the route would be so short though, perhaps you could use that as an excuse as it is a bit mean to change your mind about it.

i would go to london before or after the see the flags, if she wants

i don’t think any of these Hotels have rooms available one week before the coronation!

You're the parent, it shouldn't be so hard to say no and stock to it. Instead do a party at your house, invite her pals, gets some bits from poundland to decorate the house, if she's still into dressing up as a princess let her go for it. Make up some sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls, basic buffet food and lay a spread on. Then at there age you can leave them to it largely whilst you watch Netflix in another room.

How about taking her to this and seeing the golden state coach up close the day after?

https://www.rct.uk/event/a-coronation-celebration-05-2023#/

They will be out in force; it'll be their best "payday" since the funeral!

I did it for one of the Jubilees, with young teens. It was a lovely friendly atmosphere and we are still in touch with the couple who were next to us, many years later.
I would be a bit doubtful about taking only one child - we could leave in pairs while one held our place.

And for the less-enthused adults, there's this t-shirt!

Hope your daughter has a fun time with her special party at home.

(And ignore those on the thread confusing the concept of "I'll think about it" with reneging on a firm yes).

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1394860294/charles-iii-t-shirt-inspired-by-the?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=funniest+charles+coronation+t-shirts&ref=sc_gallery-3-12&plkey=b4ec0ce3e346f10aa8aa9b5a4c5bfc111f4357f8%3A1394860294

Don't do it op. I slept out for Diana, Princess of Wales's funeral and it was freezing, exhausting and I saw very little. I also queued overnight for the Queen's lying in state. Whilst this wasn't so bad as sleeping, or rather tying to sleep, outside with thousands of people because you were constantly moving, it was very hard. I am a royalist but will never do anything like this again. You and your DD can have fun with a little party for the both of you on the day. Don't feel bad.

Sorry missed the update. Have fun won't you!

Fair enough if he was 15 and his idea to go, when I read your post I was concerned he was a younger child.

I'm not a fan of the Royals myself but glad to hear you made it and your son sounds like he has some great and very mature life plans for a 15 year old