If you were to pour a heaping cup of hilarious, frizzy-haired antics, a sprinkle of iconic one liners, a dash of 2000s nostalgia and a splash of coming-of-age wisdom into a bowl then you would have just whipped up “The Princess Diaries.” Mia Thermopolis, played by Anne Hathaway, is just like any San Francisco high schooler–she’s got stubborn acne, a lousy uniform and a crush that doesn’t notice her. Did I forget to mention she has a grandmother who’s also a queen?
Although it’s unlikely any of our long lost grandmothers will pop up and declare us a princess any time soon, “The Princess Diaries” and its sequel are brimming with lessons (and fashion inspo) that we can carry into our everyday lives. Beware: some spoilers and classic scenes ahead!
Me? A Princess? Shut Up!
After it’s revealed that Mia’s estranged and recently deceased father was a prince, she has a typical reaction: she freaks out! Maybe some of us would be jumping for that crown but a 15 year old like Mia who can barely handle her hair, let alone a whole country, is prepared to sprint in the opposite direction. However, her mother and grandmother assure her that she can take a trial run at being a princess and she grudgingly accepts. Mia is bad at being a princess; she is clumsy and ungraceful, frequently messing up at dinner parties or running late. A key takeaway is that it is okay to be bad at something when you are trying it for the first time! It is okay to have nerves and slip up because who is perfect right off the bat? If you put your mind and energy into improving, you will see results; Mia learns how to be a princess, even if she still prefers her docs to a tiara.
No one Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent
Joe, played by Héctor Elizondo, is not only Mia’s driver and security; he acts as a helping hand doling out advice that keeps Mia on her feet. After Mia is taunted for her glow up via the royal stylist, she is down in the dumps but Joe picks her up by stating, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” These are words we all need to carry with us. If a coworker is unjustly ridiculing your performance or a family member mocking your style, you need to remember that you can only control your actions. The barbs people throw at you is a reflection of them, not you, and you can choose to let them pierce you or instead bounce right off. Thank you Joe for all your wisdom.
If you are experiencing bullying of any degree and need help, go to stopbullying.gov for more information. If you or a loved one are contemplating suicide, dial 988 or visit 988Lifeline for additional support. You matter.
A Queen is Never Late
Queen Clarisse aka Icon. Julie Andrews dazzles as the Queen of Genovia gliding through each room with dignity and elegance. She is a prime example of being a strong leader, grandmother and woman; her confidence never wavers. During the opening scene of “The Princess Diaries 2,” she is running behind schedule arriving at a ball, and although her staff is checking their watches, Clarisse reminds everyone that “a queen is never late, everyone else is simply early.” This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t practice punctuality and respect, but instead the lesson in the queen’s words is to know your worth. Do not shrink when entering rooms. Do not make yourself small when you make a minute mistake. Have pride. Own that room. Be a queen.
How Many Stupid Times a day I use the word “I”
Strutting into a ballroom wearing a dripping wet hoodie, dusty jeans and Dr. Martens is not the ideal way to present yourself to the world as the Princess of Genovia, but Mia has never been one for conventional. In her first official address, she agrees to fully assume her born role and emphasizes, “I realized how many stupid times a day I use the word ‘I’ and probably all I ever do is think about myself. And how lame is that when there is, like seven billion other people out there on the planet.” If we were all a bit more like Mia in this moment then (1) we wouldn’t care as much about people’s perceptions of us and (2) care about the actual person a bit more. There is something to be said about taking care of yourself while maintaining a healthy balance of being there for other people. The whole point of everything is to care for those around us, however, we cannot neglect ourselves by putting too much weight on other’s opinions or forgetting to give ourselves a bit of grace in the end.
We don’t schlump like this
When Queen Clarisse tells you to stand up straight, you stand up straight. While teaching Mia how to be poised like a princess, she tells her that “we don’t schlump like this” and demonstrates how to properly walk. The takeaway is that we should always stand tall. No matter where you are going or who you are meeting, you should never slouch your shoulders. Some days you might feel like Mia driving her Mustang in the hilly avenues of San Francisco: overwhelmed and exhausted. We all deserve to have a bad day, however, don’t let that hermit mindset carry too much weight on you. Always stand tall to show that you belong in the room. No matter how scared or tired or upset you are, you deserve to be there.
Courage is Not the Absence of Fear
One of the most significant and lasting lessons from “The Princess Diaries” is when Mia reads a letter from her late father that he intended to be sent on her 16th birthday. He emphasizes, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.” Being scared is a part of life, however, rising above it is a greater part of life. Whenever you feel like you cannot tackle something, remember how exceptional the gain will be. It’s better to do it scared than not to do it at all.
If you have not watched “The Princess Diaries.” SPRINT to your TV. I promise you will not regret it. Even if you do not see these lessons throughout the film, I know you will enjoy the jokes, fashion and characters. At the end of the day, the only word to describe “The Princess Diaries” is iconic.