Excerpt
Introduction: What Does It Really Mean to Be a Princess?
Crowns sparkle, castles tower, gowns sweep across marble floors — that’s what people usually think of when they hear the word “princess.” But if you stopped and asked any real-life princess what her life is like, she’d probably laugh a little and tell you it’s not all glitter and gold. Being a princess has always been about something deeper — and harder — than looking pretty or sitting on a throne. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you treat people, and how you use the power you have to make life better for others.
Some of the most admired princesses in history didn’t even live in castles at all. They didn’t spend their days at fancy balls or wear tiaras every waking minute. They were busy making decisions, meeting with leaders, visiting sick people, and learning how to help their country through wars or famines. It wasn’t easy, and many of them were just kids, not much older than you, when they started.
One of the trickiest things about being a princess — or acting like one — is learning how to talk to people in a way that makes them feel heard and respected, even when you don’t agree with them. Those kinds of conversations can feel a little scary at first. Have you ever been nervous to say what you really think? Or tried to explain something but felt like your words came out wrong? That happens to everyone, even princesses. But with practice, you can get better at handling bigger, more complicated conversations.
You don’t need a crown to start. You just need a little courage and the willingness to try. For example, if someone is upset and you don’t really understand why, instead of getting defensive or ignoring them, you can ask questions. Questions like, “Can you tell me more about how you feel?” or “What can I do to help fix this?” show the other person you care about their side of the story. That’s something a lot of princesses in history were famous for — they listened more than they talked. They paid attention to what their people needed before making big decisions.
Another part of complicated conversations is knowing when to stay calm, even if someone else doesn’t. Not everyone is going to speak politely to you, and sometimes it feels like you’re being blamed for something you didn’t do. Instead of yelling back or storming off, you can take a deep breath and say something like, “Let’s figure this out together” or even, “I need a minute to think about what you said.” Giving yourself that little pause can stop a small problem from turning into a huge fight.
Sometimes you’ll need to say no to something, and that can feel awkward. People might expect you to go along with what everyone else is doing. But part of acting like a princess is standing up for what’s right, even if it’s not popular. Saying no doesn’t have to be mean. You can say it kindly, like, “I don’t feel comfortable with that,” or “I’d rather not, but thanks for asking.” It’s okay if people don’t like your answer right away. What matters is that you’re being honest and true to yourself.
You might also find yourself in conversations where you don’t know all the answers. That’s fine too. Even real princesses didn’t know everything. What made them great leaders wasn’t knowing it all — it was admitting when they didn’t and then going to learn more. You can say things like, “I’m not sure yet, but I can find out” or “That’s a good question. Let me think about it.” Being open to learning makes you sound wise, not weak.
Crowns sparkle, castles tower, gowns sweep across marble floors — that’s what people usually think of when they hear the word “princess.” But if you stopped and asked any real-life princess what her life is like, she’d probably laugh a little and tell you it’s not all glitter and gold. Being a princess has always been about something deeper — and harder — than looking pretty or sitting on a throne. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you treat people, and how you use the power you have to make life better for others.
Some of the most admired princesses in history didn’t even live in castles at all. They didn’t spend their days at fancy balls or wear tiaras every waking minute. They were busy making decisions, meeting with leaders, visiting sick people, and learning how to help their country through wars or famines. It wasn’t easy, and many of them were just kids, not much older than you, when they started.
One of the trickiest things about being a princess — or acting like one — is learning how to talk to people in a way that makes them feel heard and respected, even when you don’t agree with them. Those kinds of conversations can feel a little scary at first. Have you ever been nervous to say what you really think? Or tried to explain something but felt like your words came out wrong? That happens to everyone, even princesses. But with practice, you can get better at handling bigger, more complicated conversations.
You don’t need a crown to start. You just need a little courage and the willingness to try. For example, if someone is upset and you don’t really understand why, instead of getting defensive or ignoring them, you can ask questions. Questions like, “Can you tell me more about how you feel?” or “What can I do to help fix this?” show the other person you care about their side of the story. That’s something a lot of princesses in history were famous for — they listened more than they talked. They paid attention to what their people needed before making big decisions.
Another part of complicated conversations is knowing when to stay calm, even if someone else doesn’t. Not everyone is going to speak politely to you, and sometimes it feels like you’re being blamed for something you didn’t do. Instead of yelling back or storming off, you can take a deep breath and say something like, “Let’s figure this out together” or even, “I need a minute to think about what you said.” Giving yourself that little pause can stop a small problem from turning into a huge fight.
Sometimes you’ll need to say no to something, and that can feel awkward. People might expect you to go along with what everyone else is doing. But part of acting like a princess is standing up for what’s right, even if it’s not popular. Saying no doesn’t have to be mean. You can say it kindly, like, “I don’t feel comfortable with that,” or “I’d rather not, but thanks for asking.” It’s okay if people don’t like your answer right away. What matters is that you’re being honest and true to yourself.
You might also find yourself in conversations where you don’t know all the answers. That’s fine too. Even real princesses didn’t know everything. What made them great leaders wasn’t knowing it all — it was admitting when they didn’t and then going to learn more. You can say things like, “I’m not sure yet, but I can find out” or “That’s a good question. Let me think about it.” Being open to learning makes you sound wise, not weak.