Do you have a princess in your life? As luck would have it, April 20–26 is National Princess Week. Time to celebrate.
National Princess Week got its start in 2012. It was the brainchild of Broadway/Movie star Julie Andrews in collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures. Andrews thought that young girls and woman from all walks of life should be able to celebrate their inner princesses. And we ALL I know at least one princess at heart, regardless of age, religion, politics, sexual preference or any of the other details that divide us. (A refreshing change of pace in today’s world.)
Disney is known for creating many animated but strong-willed “princesses” that have been admired for years by millions of youthful film enthusiasts. They include Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Mulan, Pocahontas, Jasmine, and Moana. The popular Disney “princess” film Frozen features two princesses – sisters Elsa and Anna. Elsa, (princess of Arendelle) was born with the ability to control ice and snow. In Hans Christian Anderson’s creation of the story called The Snow Queen, Elsa originally was a nasty villain. After several screenplay re-writes by the Disney team, the character evolved into a princess that one might say had a bit of a personality disorder.
Another diamond in the princess tiara of Disney productions, The Princess Diaries (2001) was the feature film debut of Anne Hathaway and an unexpected box office success! The film rejuvenated Andrews’ career and launched Hathaway’s.
Princess Week is a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with young granddaughters and friends – like throwing an impromptu Princess Tea Party and perhaps request that guests come dressed in their best royal attire – but have extra tiaras and wands on hand, and have plenty of princess-style decorations, crafts, activities, and games.
Create a game that could be played by children and/or adults – like making up a princess-oriented guessing game? Youngsters can probably guess all princesses created by Disney.
Another Andrews-inspired option is to select a princess gift for a granddaughter or two. Consider The Very Fairy Princess, the book that launched the #1 New York Times bestselling series about believing in yourself and finding your own inner sparkle—from the mother-daughter team of musical icon Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamilton! And there’s an app for that.
Consider watching Princess-oriented movies such as Enchanted, The Princess Diaries, The Princess Bride, The Swan Princess, Shrek, and Frozen in addition to the animated films previously mentioned.
Design and build a sandcastle with granddaughters. (Or castle cake for the colder weather.)
Make your own family crest or dust off one that already exists.
Search through old magazines and catalogues for pictures of anything princess related and create a “Princess Collage” for your favorite princess. Consider everything from beautiful gowns, castles, horses, jewels, etc.
What can ladies do to celebrate the “princess in you?” True princesses are supposed to be very thoughtful so make someone smile with a kind statement or gesture as many times a day as possible. Do small favors for loved ones and offer to help wherever you see a need. Donate to a favorite charity.
Spruce up your “princess home with a special bouquet of ‘royal’ flowers or roses including Princess Feather, Princess Flower, Queen Anne’s Lace, Queen Anne’s Thimbles, Queen of the Meadow, Royal Bluebell.
There are many ways to celebrate National Princess Week. All it takes is a dash of creativity, a splash of energy, and a desire to give your inner being a chance to “Let it GO!”
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
