10 Princesses Who Don’t Need Saving
From The Brothers Grimm to Disney, princesses have always been painted as helpless damsels in distress who sit around waiting for their handsome savior. The reality is plenty of princesses throughout history up to modern times were fiercely independent, intelligent, and intrepid.
These real-life princesses are far from helpless, and many used their power and influence to make significant, positive impacts. And they didn’t need anyone to come save them.
1. Princess Charlene of Monaco
A former Olympic swimmer for South Africa, Princess Charlene, became royalty after marrying Prince Albert II. She represents her country with distinction on the international stage, showing how women can be graceful and powerful at the same time.
Her background as a swimmer has inspired her to create The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which focuses on children’s health, sports, and education, including promoting water safety and supporting children with disabilities.
2. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
Princess Sirivannavari is not only a member of the Thai royal family but also a professional badminton player who won a gold medal at the 2006 Southeast Asian Games. Plus, she’s a prize-winning competitive equestrian.
But she’s more than just an athlete; she’s also a successful fashion designer, having showcased her collections in Paris and Bangkok Fashion Weeks. Her artistic nature has also led to a passion for writing poetry, so she’s a princess who can do it all, from sports to art.
3. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
Princess Marie-Chantal, married to Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, is a successful businesswoman who founded a global children’s clothing line. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her family highlight her independence and resilience.
It’s no surprise that most princesses don’t need to work, let alone start a business and pursue a career, but she wanted to. Marie-Chantal is also a published author and mother of five, so we don’t think there’s anything this woman can’t do.
4. Princess Angela of Liechtenstein
We love a Princess who breaks molds and makes history. Princess Angela was the first person of African descent to marry into a reigning European royal family, bringing some color to European royalty before Megan Markle came along.
Stepping into an antique monarchy as an outsider takes courage no matter your race, but doing this as a Black woman shows her impressive bravery and steadfastness. Angela is also a graduate of the Parsons School of Design and has an established fashion line, demonstrating her creative and professional prowess.
5. Princess Esther Kamatari of Burundi
Not only does this princess need no saving, but she works to instill that same confidence and independence in young girls and women. Princess Esther Kamatari was exiled from her home country of Burundi following her father’s (the king) assassination and the collapse of the monarchy. But she picked up the pieces of her life, moved to France, and went on to become France’s first Black model.
It doesn’t stop there; she also ran for president of Burundi to inspire young women and show that nothing is impossible. Although her presidential bid was unsuccessful, she remains a symbol of strength and empowerment.
6. Princess Pingyang of China
If there were ever a warrior princess, it’s Princess Pingyang. Without her, the Tang Dynasty of the late 500s and early 600s would have never existed. She fought (literally) beside her father to overthrow the ineffective and unreliable Sui Dynasty.
Her actions shaped the history of China forever, and she was the only one of many sisters to receive the title of “princess” when her father assumed control. When she died, she was honored with a grand military funeral, something typically reserved for men. But her father argued that she was no ordinary woman and deserved this high honor.
7. Princess Ameerah al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia
Interestingly, this princess isn’t a princess anymore, which only further proves she doesn’t need a savior. Princess Ameerah divorced her royal husband, Al-Waleed bin Talal al-Saud, but continues to be a prominent advocate for women’s rights and social reform in Saudi Arabia.
She holds a business administration degree with magna cum laude honors from the University of New Haven and co-founded the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, which focuses on humanitarian projects globally.
8. Princess Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba
Another princess worthy of the title “warrior,” Princess Nzinga, had to cleverly regain her royal control. After fighting wars alongside her father and preparing her whole life to lead her people, her father’s illegitimate son claimed the throne. But charming her brother into relinquishing the throne was a piece of cake for her.
Many historians credit her with stopping the complete colonization of Angola due to her knack for diplomacy and negotiating with other leaders. With battle experience, an affinity for leading people, and a steady hand, Nzinga was the hero of her own story, holding power for roughly 40 years, starting in 1624.
9. Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau
Princess Mabel of the Netherlands is a human rights activist and the founder of Girls Not Brides, an organization dedicated to ending child marriage globally. She works tirelessly to promote peace, justice, and gender equality.
Her philanthropic efforts and projects seem endless, as she is involved with prominent organizations like Apolitical Academy Global, Impact’s Gender Fund, Global Witness, European Council on Foreign Relations, and The Elders.
10. And Perhaps The Most Well Known Princess of All: Princess Diana of Wales
Princess Diana, also known as “The People’s Princess,” was renowned for her humanitarian work. She was passionately involved in charitable activities, including supporting people with HIV/AIDS and advocating for the ban of landmines worldwide. She even walked across a potentially active minefield to draw attention to the need for international action against these dangerous devices.
Her compassionate nature and genuine interest in helping others set her apart from members of the royal family, who often ostracized her.
Reshaping How We Think of Princesses
Thinking of all princesses as ornamental women who live lavish lives without responsibilities or enrichment do these impressive women a disservice. These women fought for their power, used their influence to uplift those in need, and proved that princesses can be rebels, leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and anything they want to be.
Rather than yell for help, these princesses took control of their own lives and found success or meaning outside of their marriages and royal titles. They’re more than just princesses; they’re role models and warriors.
Anne Boleyn: A Cautionary Tale For Modern Times?
May 19 is the 488th anniversary of the execution of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII of England, who lost her head because her husband needed a son and Anne wasn’t making that happen in a timely fashion. Her story is remarkable and the influence of her relationship with the King on world history has long tentacles that reach into today. Their love affair began during a time of plague, the relationship between church and state was in crisis, the minority imposed essential life decisions on the majority, war was a constant, international tariffs and embargoes influenced the operations of entire countries, women were valued mainly as vessels for successful childbearing and/or as diplomatic pawns, and the relentlessly ambitious boogie monster of tyranny was scratching at the door. Nothing new here. READ: Anne Boleyn: A Cautionary Tale For Modern Times?
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