History of National Princess Day
The first princess to come to our TV screens was Snow White in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, this movie was also the first full length traditional animation film as well as the earliest Disney animated feature film. When Xena: Warrior Princess came out in 1995 and Mulan was released in 1998, they showed everyone that a princess can do more than wear a pretty dress. These two iconic women let children everywhere know that a princess can also be a strong and adventurous warrior. New wave princesses like Moana and Frozen’s Elsa show us that you can still be a princess while maintaining your independence.
We all grew up with animated, and live action, princesses guiding us through life. When thinking of our favorite princesses, our minds instantly go to Disney. However, when it comes to National Princess Day, Disney had very little involvement in its inception. Nest Family Entertainment, a Texas based entertainment company, teamed up with Rich Animation in 1994 to create the animated film The Swan Princess, a musical adaptation of Swan Lake. The studio wanted people of every age to have a day to celebrate like royalty, embodying the kindness and grace that we all associated with princess at the time — and thus, National Princess Day was created.
The definition of a princess is constantly changing. From the 1930s until the 1990s, princesses were meant to be saved by a prince and live happily ever after. Nowadays, princesses create their own happily ever after, save the prince, and then put the prince squarely in the friend zone. So basically, embodying a princess on National Princess Day is to embody, what the kids call, the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time).
National Princess Day timeline
Princess Kate made Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” list for the second time.
After earning a B.A. in International Relations at Sukhothai Thammatirat University and a Masters of Law and Doctor of Juridical Science degree at Cornell Law School, Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand received an honorary Doctor of Law degree.
Princess Ameera, a Saudi Arabian princess, received the ITP Special Humanitarian Award for her work with the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation.
Princess Diana opened the first hospital unit dedicated to AIDS in Middlesex Hospital. This is the same location where she famously hugged an AIDS patient four years later.
Princess Ann of England served as president of the Save the Children organization, an non-governmental group that advocates for children rights and supports children in developing countries.
National Princess Day FAQs
What is a princess?
How many Disney princess movies are there?
Who is the youngest Disney princess?
National Princess Day Activities
Bestow your friends with a princess party invite
For kids, stick to a princess-themed party with castle, crown, and princess inspired foods (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cake). For adults, focus on sparkly decor and pink cocktails. Want an easier alternative? Gather a group of friends for happy hour and gift them with a princess tiara for a fun, festive touch.
Act like a princess
Let National Princess Day be a good reminder to focus on how you present yourself to the world. For example, princesses are known for the way they walk, talk, sit, and eat (to name a few examples we can remember from The Princess Diaries). But maybe the princess you're embodying is Xena, so be the leader you were born to be!
Indulge in a treatment fit for royalty
Fashionable, flawless, fabulous — these are just a few words that come to mind when thinking about a princess (real or fictional). So on National Princess Day, treat yourself to something that’ll make you feel like one. Book a facial or massage, get a manicure or pedicure, go on a shopping spree or make an appointment with your hairstylist — whatever you choose to do, we hope you feel and look fashionable, flawless, and fabulous by the end of the day.
5 Little-Known Disney Princess Facts
One Disney princess has ink
Pocahontas is the only Disney Princess who has a tattoo.
Snow White's a star
Snow White received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame —the only Disney princess to receive one — in 1987.
An ancient Chinese legend inspires Disney
The legend of Hua Mulan, a female warrior from the poem “The Ballad of Mulan,” inspired the Disney character.
“Ariel” has a rad Hebrew meaning
The name Ariel — from "The Little Mermaid" — translates from Hebrew as “lion of God”.
A princess saves a prince
Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" is the first Disney princess to save her prince when she transforms the Beast back into a human.
Why We Love National Princess Day
It celebrates healthy personality traits
Princesses are inspiring because they typically kick butt while still being poised, confident, and kindhearted. However, feeling and embodying those traits is not always easy. Thankfully, National Princess Day reminds us to get in touch with our inner princess who’s ready to rule the world.
It’s an opportunity to feel special
National Princess Day gives us non-royalty folks a reason to step out of our norms. However you choose to celebrate, thanks to this day, you can dress up, take control and be the heroine.
It’s an excuse to treat yourself
If your daily life is similar to Cinderella’s before she meets the prince (you know — chores, having a boss like her awful stepmother, wearing old, lackluster clothes) then National Princess Day is the perfect time to break that cycle. Throw on your glass slippers and treat yourself.
National Princess Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 18 | Monday |
| 2025 | November 18 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | November 18 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 18 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 18 | Saturday |
Log In With Google