What makes Disney princesses “official”? We’re taking a look at all your favorite heroines and damsels to see which ones are actually royalty!
At the mention of “Disney princess,” most of us paint a mental picture of our favorite animated heroines and damsels as featured on lunchboxes, binders, and water bottles.
But are all of them actually Disney princesses– or do the technicalities of royal status exclude our most beloved princesses from being considered “official”?
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Official Disney Princesses
The following ladies have been lucky enough to be currently considered official Disney Princesses, whether it be by lineage, marriage, or other means.
Some are obvious, while others may surprise you!
Snow White
Courtesy of Disney
Given that she is the daughter of a king (with pretty much the worst step-mom ever) and the O.G. princess, it’s only fitting that Snow White reserves the right to official princess status.
Cinderella
Courtesy of Disney
If the shoe (or glass slipper) were to fit anyone, it would be Cinderella! Despite her humble beginnings, Cinderella found her Prince Charming, and the rest is history.
Sleeping Beauty
Courtesy of Disney
Disney doesn’t snooze on this iconic princess! True love’s kiss with Prince Phillip sealed her fate as a royal. Sleeping Beauty, Aurora, Briar Rose– whatever you want to call her, is as official as it gets.
Ariel
Courtesy of Disney
Not only is she the daughter of King Triton, but she is also married to handsome landlubber Prince Eric. Is there such a thing as a double princess? While she had to share the title of princess with her six older sisters under the sea, she is a princess nonetheless!
Belle
Courtesy of Disney
While Belle may have started as the village bookworm, her life completely changed when she fell in love with a prince-turned-sasquatch and, in turn, became the princess of an enchanted castle. While her taste in men may be questionable, she is undoubtedly a Disney princess!
Jasmine
Courtesy of Disney
Unlike some of the other ladies on the official Disney princess list, Jasmine was born a princess and made her love interest transform from a peasant to a prince. Being the daughter of a sultan, Jasmine was born into a life of royalty– whether she liked it or not.
Pocahontas
Courtesy of Disney
Pocahontas’ peaceful and harmonic spirit combined with her diplomatic personality gives her the royal qualities that make for a great princess– not to mention that she is the daughter of her tribe’s chief, making her a noble figure of her community!
Mulan
Courtesy of Disney
While Mulan was neither born nor married into royalty, her extraordinary accomplishments in the Chinese military earned her high honor and accolades in her country. Talk about a girlboss, right? Despite not being monarchical, she is recognized as an official Disney princess.
Tiana
Courtesy of Disney
Tiana may have received the biggest promotion ever when she went from a humble waitress to the princess of Maldonia all in one week! Her marriage to Prince Naveen made it official– even if it was a frog wedding.
Rapunzel
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Rapunzel, a.k.a. “The Lost Princess,” was royalty in the kingdom of Corona her whole life, although she didn’t know it until she turned 18. Trading in her frying pan for a crown and her hidden tower for a castle, she finally took her rightful place in the kingdom as their princess!
Merida
Courtesy of Disney
Her flaming locks matching her fiery personality, she may be an official princess, but her status is certainly not defined by marriage. Merida was born into a monarchy, but the royal rules couldn’t confine her. Either way, Merida is very much an official princess!
Moana
Courtesy of Disney
She is Moana of Motunui, and being next in line to lead her tribe makes her an official Disney princess! Despite her differences with her father, the chief, she proved to be a fit leader when she risked her life to save her island and her people.
Raya
Courtesy of Disney
The newest addition to the official Disney princess list is Raya, who has joined the ranks of Mulan, Moana, and Merida after being confirmed as an official Disney princess during World Princess Week. Being the daughter of a chief, she is a warrior princess that can’t be beat!
Former Disney Princesses
Although they are still beloved characters, these ladies are no longer considered certified royalty.
Tinker Bell
Courtesy of Disney
While Tinker Bell could be found on merch sprinkling her pixie dust over a lineup of official princesses, she is no longer considered an official Disney princess.
Esmerelda
Courtesy of Disney
Esmerelda possesses many qualities of a princess, such as beauty, grace, fierceness, kindness, and empathy, but she is not of royal descent or relation.
Jane Porter
Courtesy of Disney
Jane Porter is the daughter of a professor, not a king, and the love interest of an ape-man, not a prince. No royalty here, but we still love her!
Unofficial Disney Princesses
You may think some of these iconic characters are princesses, but you’d be mistaken!
Anna
Courtesy of Disney
If you haven’t seen Frozen 2, you may be wondering, wait– how come Anna isn’t a princess?
Well, after Elsa was crowned as queen of Arendelle, she then resigned to become the fifth spirit, and Anna took her place.
This made Anna the queen, and you simply can’t be a queen and a princess all at once!
Elsa
Courtesy of Disney
Elsa was once a princess before coronation as queen but has since become the fifth spirit.
I know all this royal technicality may be confusing, but I suggest you just let it go.
Giselle
Courtesy of Disney
Giselle was never a princess, although she was engaged to be married to Prince Edward of Andalasia before being sent to our live-action universe.
She ends up marrying a divorce attorney, which is hardly grounds to consider her royalty– let alone an official princess.
Megara
Courtesy of Disney
Megara is the love of Hercules, a demi-god whose parents have much more power than human royalty.
That’s arguably much cooler than being an official princess, so who’s complaining?
Nala
Courtesy of Disney
No, Nala isn’t excluded from the official Disney princess list just because she’s a lion.
It’s actually because she didn’t marry Simba until after he became king of the savanna, immediately making her queen!
Ariel’s Sisters
Attina and Ariel. Courtesy of Disney
Ariel’s siblings could form a troop of Disney Princesses on their own! But alas, her siblings aren’t as official as Ariel. How many sisters does Ariel have, anyway?
Vanellope Von Schweetz
Courtesy of Disney
Vanellope is transformed into a princess during Ralph Breaks The Internet, but she is not considered to be an official Disney Princess.
This may be because Vanellope says herself: Her code may say she is a princess, but she is actually a racer. I’d take her word for it.
Who’s your favorite Disney princess, and what makes them “official” to you? Tell us your thoughts over on our Facebook page!
