Princesses at Schloss Ludwigsburg

One of Eliza's friends had her birthday party at Schloss Ludwigsburg.    Incredibly-wonderfully-wonderful.

First there was a tour: 

Fit to the world of 8 and 9 year old girls. 

learning about the painting of the king's favorite horse

None of the sad stories on this tour --

learning how to curtsy in the throne room

-- just the happy, the interesting and the funny stories.

Then the tea party:

Complete with tiaras and petit fours. 

yum.....

I thought those crowns were the height of "princess" accessory.  I had NO IDEA.

Closets filled with REAL dresses.  No velcro in sight -- these gowns were like what you see in paintings. 

With looped bands over the shoulders to help keep the heavy skirts on....

...and cording tightened over the bodice. 

Beauty Marks painted on, just for fun. :-)

These girls made quite a line of ladies.

There was more. 

I nearly FELL OVER when we saw...

..... the miniature theater.  The children's docent taught them a play in twenty minutes. 

I still don't know how the docent managed that.  But, I am pretty sure I ruined my friend's video recording by gasping directly next to the camera:

"I love this...!!  I love this....!!" 

After the girls finished their play, they were taught a dance -- which -- I know this is practically unbelievable at this point --

-- looked just like a scene out of a Jane Austen movie. 

time to go home

I have no idea how much my friend paid for this party, but it was worth EVERY EURO CENT.   Eliza and I will never forget this afternoon.  I am sooooo impressed with the Schloss Ludwigsburg people for making history so accessible to children. 

They have gone into the tiniest details to make history fun and alive.  It even works on grown-ups. :-)