In a disturbing and bizarre incident, French authorities have arrested a 22-year-old British man after he allegedly staged a wedding ceremony with a nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris. According to Daily Mail, the ceremony took place before the park opened and involved roughly 100 guests—many of whom were left horrified once they realized the identity of the so-called “bride.”
Authorities were alerted on Saturday morning when Disneyland staff discovered the girl arriving for the ceremony accompanied by her family and guests. Security shut the event down immediately after realizing the child was involved, and the man was taken into custody along with the child’s 41-year-old mother and two other individuals aged 55 and 24.
Police Investigate Production Claims, Fraud, and Money Laundering
According to reports, the suspect claimed to operate a production company, and the wedding was allegedly part of a video shoot. He insists it was staged content, not an actual marriage. However, authorities aren’t convinced and have extended police custody for the man and one of the Latvian nationals involved as they investigate potential fraud and money laundering.
Police are also reviewing whether the entire event was part of a social media stunt, and if the guests were actually paid extras unaware of the disturbing setup.
A guest told French outlet Le Parisien,
“We all thought we were going to attend a wedding… Everyone was stunned, no one expected it. Disneyland did things very well. They cancelled everything as soon as they realised the bride was a child. We were shocked to see that.”
Disneyland Paris Responds Swiftly and Firmly
In a statement, Disneyland Paris emphasized that the staff acted immediately and canceled the entire ceremony once the age of the child was confirmed.
The company is reportedly cooperating fully with authorities as the investigation continues.