The Princess Switch 3’s Vanessa Hudgens spends time in Edinburgh’s lockdown in ‘£1600-a-night’ Balmoral hotel suite with family

Former Disney star Vanessa Hudgens has been residing in a luxury suite in central Edinburgh ahead of the filming for Netflix’s The Princess Switch 3.

Vanessa Hudgens was also in Edinburgh last year as she filmed The Princess Switch: Switched Again (Pic: Netflix)

The actress, who is staying with her mother Gina and sister Stella Hudgens, has been in the Capital since before Christmas staying in a suite at The Balmoral hotel estimated to be costing around £1,600 per night.

She celebrated her birthday in the lavish hotel with cake, champagne and pizza in mid-December.

On the former High School Musical actress’ Instagram page she has shared pictures of her exploring Cockburn Street and rolling down a hill with the picturesque Arthur’s Seat in the background as walkers stroll by.

The former Disney star spent her birthday, Christmas and New Year in her lavish '£1600-per-night' suit at The Balmoral Hotel (Pic: Vanessa Hudgens/@vanessahudgens)

She spent Christmas at the five star hotel and while current Covid restrictions have meant she’s been unable to get out and enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer, she has kept herself and fans amused with clips of her and her sister dancing on her Instagram page and taking part in some viral video challenges on social media platform TikTok.

The Christmas rom-com she will be starring in which released originally in 2018 is a festive female take on Mark Twain’s ‘The Prince and the Pauper and follows Chicagoan Stacy DeNovo switch places with doppleganger Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro both played by Hudgens.

In the second film, released in November 2020 a third doppleganger Lady Fiona Pembroke also becomes involved.

The previous films have seen parts of Edinburgh including Hopetoun House, the Dome, Mimi’s Bakery in Leith, Parliament Square and the Hub on the Royal Mile turn into a winter wonderland featured in the film.

The star 'rolled into the new year' by Arthur's Seat (Pic: Vanessa Hudgens/@vanessahudgens)

Residents of Edinburgh including dancers from Edinburgh College and the choir and orchestra from James Gillespie’s High School were involved with the second film as extras.

Security guards at Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian confirmed yesterday filming for The Princess Switch 3 with locals witnessing the Newbattle Abbey College transformed into a winter wonderland with fake snow, a nativity scene and fir trees.

We can expect to see the former monastery turned educational institution standing in as Montenaro Castle in the movie.

Signs saying ‘Filming in progress’, scaffolding, large vans, and a cherry picker were spotted by locals at the site.

Ms Hudgens is staying at The Balmoral in a suite estimated to cost £1600 per night

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription