American Princesses and the Inherited Nonsense

There's an unhealthy obsession with princesses in our culture. I'm not talking squarely about Disney ones either. Because I don't think a girl's love of those characters translates into the attention that the British Royal family receives. I love(d) superheroes and I think the real world buffoons who dress up and "fight crime", get featured in a tongue and cheek news report are dopes. So I choose not to believe that's the case. And while most people in this county (read: all) choose not to believe things, mine is innocuous and doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. I think the obsession comes straight from an internal naturalistic urge to be a princess.

In all honesty, I wouldn't be shocked if 60% of women, not girls, wanted to be Kate Middleton right now. Some might say that figure is too high, those people should realize there's no end to the variability in human thought. We live in a country where the reaction to disasters, crimes and sporting events is vandalism, theft and violence. But that's beside the point. Unless you're about to suffer the wraith of an unruly mob. Then my points are irrelevant to you in your hour of need. But, back to the point. There's a quotient of people who are considered "famous". These people end up on tabloids, newspapers (which are often one in the same), websites and the news. The fact that a foreign princess is there is astounding. The fact that she doesn't get shit talked is flabbergasting. Doesn't matter who it is, presidents, actresses, musicians, they all have bogus headlines and unflattering pictures on these media outlets. Except for the princess. Even the Royal family gets a ration of garbage. "Queen's Lesbian Love Affair" with the Queen in a picture with a lady who looks like my 9th grade gym coach. But the princess is fashionable and fun and ever so charming. Make sure you say that last sentence in your head with a whimsical story book voice. 

And the question is why. I think it's because ideally, it's not a bad gig. And it hits on all the tropes of traditional society. Girl meets prince, falls in love, gets married, has offspring, waited on by servants who used to be kitchenware and house hold appliances. Or crabs. There's love, there's marriage, children and a title. Titles are important. You can be a princess, which has tasks and responsibilities, but don't really have to work. Like I said, not a bad gig. 

However, this appreciation/obsession with princesses follows some into their adult lives. Which is sad. They're never going to be a princess. Though, if I said I still dreamt of being a Ghostbuster, I'd be called foolish and silly. Why aren't these princess obsessed ladies chastised in the same way? Well, aside from being ladies. 

I suspect the secondary part of this equation is that most men want princesses. And I know what you're thinking, "not all men want subservient women". While true (barely) there's all kinds of princesses, ones who kick ass and ones from the ocean. Plenty of flavors to choose from. And I think men in general like being the prince, they like having the ability to swoop in and scoop up a beautiful lass and give her a castle and servants and a big fucking tiger. 

The last component is probably just the archetype of princes and princesses. Idealized relationships that people want. Faithful and strong bonds that come with a weight beyond each other. Like Romeo & Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde and Jack & Diane, princes and princesses represent a type of relationship that presents itself in broad terms. 

At the end of the day I suppose it doesn't matter. I just don't know why foreign royalty gets so much press.