Congratulations came from Disney as Basildon’s own Festival Leisure Park made it into Guinness World Record history last Saturday by amassing the world’s largest group of princesses.
In association with Empire cinemas and Disney’s soon to be released Maleficent, a total of 351 princesses congregated outside the leisure park’s cinema, who were joined by Chloe Sims, (pictured below) star of ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing Guinness World Record event.” She commented, “It was wonderful to see so many gorgeous girls turn up; it showed a really lovely community spirit.”
Jon Nutton, Marketing Director of Empire Cinemas, enthused: "We are delighted to have been part of the team involved in securing the new Guinness World Record for the most princesses in one area. Who doesn’t love a bit of fairy tale magic?”
The Party Princess children’s party entertainment company took on the role of fairy godmothers to the crowd of princesses, providing glitter makeovers to ensure that no Cinderellas were left out of this ball.
Not only a record-breaking celebration, Festival Leisure Park also seized the opportunity to raise funds for The Little Princess Trust'; a children’s charity which provides real-hair wigs to young cancer patients. Festival retail park vendors supplied vouchers for a raffle, and in addition to the funds raised through glitter makeovers, the party princesses also posed for photographs with the children to raise money for the trust.
Monica Glass, Charity Manager said, “On behalf of everyone connected with the Little Princess Trust we are very grateful to Festival Leisure Park for including the charity in this exciting event. What an achievement! So many princesses all in one place! Hopefully a number of them will now be familiar with the work of the Little Princess Trust and will consider supporting the charity in the future, either through money or hair donations, so that we can continue to provide free, real-hair wigs to poorly children in the UK and Ireland.”
Amongst the crowd was 17 year old Zoe Nichols, former local carnival princess. Her participation was in memory of her dear friend and fellow princess Rachel Kiely-Cohen who died suddenly earlier this year.
Festival Leisure Park Facilities Manager, Peter Scopes said, “We are thrilled to have become Guinness world record holders. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support and turnout from the Essex Princesses, so a huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped break the world record!”