Have you ever wondered who’s behind the Disney princess crown? What distinguishes the official from the unofficial princesses? Dive into the heart of the enchantment and discover all the answers in my article.

Disney princesses have always held a special place in the collective imagination, representing emblematic figures of the enchanted universe created by the famous brand. These heroines, evolving with the animated pages of history, have transcended the simple role of characters to become true ambassadors of Disney’s magical spirit. To legitimize this royal representation, the brand even created a dedicated franchise: Disney Princesses in 2000.

The list of official Disney princesses

Discover the complete list of official Disney princesses, unveiled in chronological order of their debut. United under the glittering banner of the Disney Princesses franchise, they continue to captivate the hearts of audiences, creating a magical legacy that transcends cinematic boundaries.

Snow-White

First appearance: 1937
Film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Cinderella

First appearance: 1950
Film: Cinderella

Aurore

First appearance: 1959
Film: Sleeping Beauty

Ariel

First appearance: 1989
Film: The Little Mermaid

Belle

First appearance: 1991
Film: Beauty and the Beast

Jasmine

First appearance: 1992
Film: Aladdin

Pocahontas

First appearance: 1995
Film: Pocahontas

Mulan

First appearance: 1998
Film: Mulan

Tiana

First appearance: 2009
Film: The Princess and the Frog

Rapunzel

First appearance: 2010
Film: Rapunzel

Merida

First appearance: 2012
Film: Brave

Moana

First appearance: 2016
Film: Moana, Legend of the End of the World

The list of unofficial Disney Princesses

Discover the list of Disney’s main unofficial princesses, unveiled in chronological order of their debut. It’s important to note, however, that the list of official Disney princesses, while full of magic, is by no means exhaustive. Many other princesses populate the enchanted worlds created by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, although they do not bear the prestigious title of Disney Princesses. These royal figures, though equally memorable, remain on the bangs of the official franchise, each bringing her own charming touch to the vast and diverse universe of modern fairy tales.

Vanellope von Schweetz

First appearance: 2012
Film: Ralph’s Worlds

Elsa

First appearance: 2013
Film: Frozen

Anna

First appearance: 2013
Film: Frozen

How are Disney Princesses determined?

Determining the Disney Princesses is not a fixed process. In 2000, when the Disney Princesses franchise was created, Disney decided that only 6 princesses would make the list: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle and Jasmine. In 2006, Pocahontas and Mulan also joined the list following a popularity contest. This decision sparked debate, particularly in the case of Mulan, whose status as princess seemed to deviate from traditionally established norms. Over the years, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida and Moana have been added to the list of official princesses, as films are released.

Why some Princesses and not others ?

The strangeness emanates from the sometimes vague criteria that define who deserves the title of princess. Mulan, despite her family’s commoner status, is on the list, while obvious princesses like Anna and Elsa, as well as the sovereign Vanellope, are excluded. Pocahontas, the daughter of a tribal chief, and Moana, the daughter of an island chief, are also confounded by their ambiguous status.

The decision to include a heroine in the circle of Disney Princesses thus seems to be the fruit of a complex combination of criteria, mixing popularity, personal history and, sometimes, surprising narrative choices. The precise reasons for these choices remain a mystery, but they undoubtedly add a layer of mystery to the fairytale world of the Disney Princesses.

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Who are the official Disney princesses?

The official Disney Princesses are : Snow White (1937), Cinderella (1950), Aurora (1959), Ariel (1989), Belle (1991), Jasmine (1992), Pocahontas (1995), Mulan (1998), Tiana (2009), Rapunzel (2010), Merida (2012), and Moana (2016).

Who are the other unofficial Disney princesses?

Among the many princesses who emerge from the Disney worlds, some captivate the public’s heart without actually bearing the official title of Disney Princesses. These include Vanellope von Schweetz (2012), as well as royal sisters Elsa and Anna (2013). But the range of unofficial princesses extends far beyond that, including such iconic figures as Lily the Tigress (1953) from “Peter Pan”, Star Wars’ Leia Organa (1977), Kiara (1998) from “The Lion King II”, Mei, Su and Ting-Ting (2005) from “Mulan II”, and the valiant Raya (2021) from “Raya and the Last Dragon”.

Why is Mulan an official princess?

Mulan became an official princess after a popularity contest in 2006, although her status as a commoner may seem unusual compared to the traditional conventions of royalty.

Are there any specific criteria for being a Disney Princess?

Criteria generally include main character status in a Disney or Pixar animated feature, as well as the character’s popularity and impact on the target audience.

How are Disney Princesses celebrated?

Disney Princesses are honored in a multitude of ways, including merchandise, parades and enchanted encounters at Disney theme parks. What’s more, every year, World Princess Week spreads its magic across Disney parks worldwide, giving fans the opportunity to celebrate the enchanting legacy of their favorite heroines.

Will new princesses be added in the future?

New princesses are likely to be added in the future as new animated films are released that captivate audiences and meet the criteria set by the Disney Princesses franchise.