Who is a Princess?

A princess is a female member of a monarchy, most often the daughter of the king or queen. A princess may have ceremonial duties and participate in charitable or diplomatic activities. Princesses also have a lot of media attention and can be a source of inspiration for children.

Princess Alice of Greece, the heiress presumptive to the British throne who lived in the 1930’s, was hailed as a people’s princess for her work with soup kitchens and the Red Cross during World War II. She was also an active participant in worthy causes like AIDS awareness, and broke down the prejudice of shaking hands with people who had AIDS. She has been named a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, and is remembered as someone who had a heart for others.

The late Princess Diana of the UK, who was divorced from Prince Charles in 1996, became Her Royal Highness Princess Diana and focused on charity work that was important to her. She took advantage of her fame to advocate for issues that were not traditionally associated with royalty like AIDS, substance abuse, and eating disorders. She was also a very loving mother and wife, and a great role model for her children.

The fact that relatively little has been known of the Princess hitherto is matter for satisfaction rather than regret, for she can at any moment by the caprice of fate be summoned to the most exalted position in the greatest Commonwealth. It is enough that she acquire a working knowledge of the history and constitutional practice of her country, and that her character develops a quiet strength which can be drawn on in an emergency.