Calling all Princess Switch die-hards and Princess Diaries fans, I have the royal news you want. Starting Monday, December 17, in the year 2019 of our Lord and Savior Meghan Markle, you can rent a room on Airbnb in a veritable castle. It's just the moment you've been preparing for ever since Julie Andrews taught Anne Hathaway how to wave.
From Friday 20th December you will be able to book the King's Suite at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. As the name suggests, it's a suite built for real royalty in a real castle. Even if you've never seen Belvoir Castle in person, there's a good chance you've seen it on screen. The castle has been the setting for films such as The Da Vinci Code and The Young Queen Victoria starring Emily Blunt, as well as Netflix's award-winning series The Crown . I’d book an Airbnb with square feet of grass so I could put my feet where Emily Blunt’s feet were.
If you book the King's Suite you will be treated as a guest of the Duchess of Rutland and her family and treated in the same way. In addition to spending the night in a gorgeously decorated three-bedroom suite with 1 bedroom and 1.5 baths, you will enjoy an afternoon of royal events to which you are invited. Afternoon tea is served in the castle, a tradition said to have originated in the 1840s. You will enjoy a "summer dinner" in the state banquet hall. (If the menu were just a fraction of the food served at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, you'd be in for a treat.) Finally, you can attend a drinks reception in the Belvoir Castle library, featured in The Crown one room.
Because I know you're waiting, here's a problem: There are only three spots available. King's Suite Airbnb is open for one-night stays on December 31, 2019, January 11, 2020, or January 25, 2020. That's all. If you've planned to tell people you're summering at the castle, I'm sorry. A night's stay in a King Suite isn't as expensive as you might think. Two guests can stay at the castle on December 31, January 11 or January 25 for £300 ($334) per night.
The Duchess of Rutland, who posts adorable dog and wellness photos on Instagram (Royals: they're just like us!), said in a statement: "The King's Suite is a truly unique space with stunning history, so I'm super excited to share it with guests on Airbnb for the first time, especially on New Year's Eve, a couple that will usher in the new decade in a truly unforgettable way, whether you're inspired by the incredible Regency architecture or not. Attractive, wanting to experience the luxurious royal lifestyle or simply following in the footsteps of your favorite stars, a stay at Belvoir is sure to give you an unforgettable experience. “The Duchess of Rutland basically has you covered at her castle. Recreate a scene from The Crown . Use this responsibility wisely.
Per Airbnb policy, this is a general listing and not a contest. Availability is limited to the three dates mentioned above. In other words, first come, first served. If you want to experience your monarchy fan fiction in a real castle, you'll need to act fast. Additionally, all proceeds from three stays at Belvoir Castle will be donated to Rainbow Hospice for Children and Young People, a charity that provides care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Head to airbnb.com/belvoircastle on Friday, December 20 to grab your seat.
