Birchall - How to be a princess: real-life fairy tales for modern heroines

Be inspired to make your own happy ending even if Prince Harry is taken.

Katy Birchall went to Manchester University where she studied English Literature and Linguistics and then Post-1900 Literature, Theories and Cultures.

Katy is the author of The It Girl series as well as Secrets of a Teenage Heiress, also published in 2018.

Whatever comes, she said, cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.

A Little Princess Frances Hodgson Burnett

How do you define a princess?

A pitch-perfect singing voice? Fluent in conversing with woodland creatures? Naturally voluminous locks that always float perfectly behind one shoulder in a sweeping breeze?

Thinking of the princesses today, that wont do. Its just not really enough.

Sure, Diana, Princess of Wales, had an iconic haircut, but its not the first thing that comes to mind when we remember her. And what about that other Princess Diana, aka Wonder Woman? She hardly has time to sing while shes leading an army into battle against evil.

What about where she comes from? Does that make a princess? Theres got to be some kind of running theme, right?

No , that doesnt pin it down either.

There are, of course, those born into the role, like Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Leia, but then theres also Princess Grace of Monaco, who was a famous Hollywood actress, and Princess Lalla Salma, a computer engineer.

Fine.

So, is it what they own?

Nope, thats not it.

Moana set sail with a chicken, not a crown, and youre more likely to see Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand polishing her camera lens than any jewels.

This book tells the stories of the coolest modern princesses around. They are mostly real, sometimes fictional, and all exceptional.

When youre done reading, put this book down and go step into your own regal role. Princesses are made, not born and I have a feeling youll make a good one.

With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings. And, if Im lucky enough, to inspire.

Meghan Markle

Once upon a time

a young girl named Meghan sat down to write a letter.

She had been watching television in her classroom when a dishwasher soap advertisement flashed up on to the screen. Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans, the commercial proclaimed.

Meghan could not get it out of her head.

In the world of this commercial, she sighed, why is it just women in the kitchen, washing pots and pans? When she got home, she told her father that the wording had bothered her. Well, he smiled, you have a voice. Perhaps it is time to use it.

As Meghan stuck stamps to four different letters, she felt nervous. One of the letters was to the soap manufacturer, one was to civil-rights lawyer Gloria Allred, one to news anchor Linda Ellerbee, and the last one was to then-First Lady, Hillary Clinton. She slid the letters into the postbox and hoped that one of them might hear what she had to say.

All of them heard. They wrote back, inspired by Meghans conviction in her beliefs. The soap company changed its tagline: People all over America, the advertisement announced a few weeks later, are fighting greasy pots and pans.

Meghan realised that big change could be sparked even by the smallest of actions. Standing up. Speaking out. Putting pen to paper. And she didnt stop there.

When Meghan grew up to become a talented actress, she understood that along with red carpets, fancy gowns and flashing lights, fame came with the opportunity to make an impact. She spoke up for those who couldnt be heard.

No wonder that when a handsome young prince met her, he felt he had to improve his jokes to get her attention. His efforts were not in vain and they happily fell in love.

For from the top of a palace, her voice will be all the louder.

Be the hero or heroine of your own story, of your own life.

Aulii Cravalho, voice of Disneys Moana

Once upon a time

Moana had to make a decision. Spirited, headstrong and drawn to the sea, this chief-in-training had grown up working hard to learn the responsibilities of leadership and earn the respect of her community. Devoted to her family and her people, she knew that she would have to face the dangers of a sea voyage to protect their island and their future. But sometimes, being brave isnt just about facing the challenges ahead. It is also having the courage to leave things behind.

When her island became endangered, Moana had to make a choice.

Leaving her family behind, she set sail across the ocean. She had little experience in sailing or navigation, but she wasnt going to let that stop her. She was going to save her people, no matter how dangerous it was or what the personal cost.

After overcoming all sorts of challenges, once again Moana was faced with a decision. She could give up or she could keep going.

Even though she was scared, Moana found the courage to carry on with her mission. Moana discovered that sometimes you have to be brave enough to step forward when you dont know what lies ahead.

Throw yourself to the edge that youre always scared of. Try being independent; do it your way. Youll love it.

Princess Ameerah

Once upon a time

Princess Ameerah sat in the driving seat.

In Saudi Arabia, where she lived, women did not have the right to drive and this troubled the princess. Not only did it restrict the freedom of the women in her kingdom, but she also believed it to be symbolic of her nations other equality issues, such as womens education, their right to work and their participation in politics.

The princess decided it was time for this symbolic driving rule to change. She knew it would not be easy. A lot of powerful people would be very angry at her for attempting to lift this traditional ban.

We are trying to acquire our own rights, peacefully, she bravely told them, on behalf of the women in her country. We want evolution not a revolution.

She spoke out loud and clear, relentlessly fighting for this important change, arguing the economic benefits to women driving, as well as the political symbolism. Then she got her international drivers licence so she could drive herself.