Disney Princess stories have been part of family life for generations. Many of us grew up watching the films, singing the songs and choosing our favourite princess, before eventually sharing those same stories with our own children.
Although the beautiful dresses, castles and memorable songs are all part of the magic, these stories can also introduce children to important qualities such as kindness, confidence, courage and resilience.
New research commissioned by Disney for World Princess Week has looked at the qualities women believe girls need to help them navigate the modern world. The OnePoll study surveyed 1,250 young women, mothers and grandmothers across the UK, and an impressive 98% agreed that confidence, kindness and resilience are important qualities for girls to develop as they grow up.
Learning Through Stories
Stories have always helped children make sense of the world. Whether you are reading together at bedtime or curled up on the sofa watching a favourite film, fictional characters can encourage conversations about friendships, feelings, challenges and making difficult decisions.
In the survey, 93% of women said it is important for girls to see strong female role models in the media. Four in ten also felt that stories about overcoming challenges have the most positive impact on children.
Disney Princess films often feature characters who face difficult situations, learn to trust themselves and find the courage to make their own choices. The women surveyed felt that kindness was the quality most clearly represented by Disney Princess characters, followed by confidence and resilience.
Kindness was also the quality mothers and grandmothers most wanted to pass on to the next generation. It was chosen by 76% of grandmothers and 65% of mothers.
I think kindness can sometimes be underestimated, particularly when children are also encouraged to be confident, ambitious and independent. However, being kind does not mean being weak. It takes strength to show compassion, stand up for somebody else and remain thoughtful when facing a difficult situation.
More Than Waiting for a Prince
The idea of what it means to be a princess has changed considerably over the years. For the women surveyed, a modern princess is somebody who shows courage in the face of adversity, treats others with kindness, leads with confidence, values friendship and has a playful, creative spirit.
These qualities can be found across the different Disney Princess stories. Belle loves books and is not afraid to think differently. Merida wants to choose her own future. Mulan displays enormous courage, while Tiana works hard to follow her dream. Moana trusts her instincts, ventures beyond the reef and refuses to give up when challenges arise.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Moana was the Disney Princess whom mothers would most like their daughters to emulate. She was followed by Belle, Merida, Cinderella and Snow White.
Moana is a particularly inspiring character for children because her story is driven by courage, determination and love for her family and community. She believes she can make a difference, even when the journey ahead feels frightening.
Can Disney Princesses Influence Children?
Most parents will have seen children copy the characters they admire, whether that means dressing up, singing songs, recreating scenes through play or repeating a favourite character’s words.
According to the research, 94% of mothers have noticed a girl copying the behaviour or attitude of a Disney Princess. A further 79% believe the princesses children see on screen can help shape their traits and behaviour.
Of course, films and stories are only one of the many influences in a child’s life. The everyday examples provided by parents, grandparents, teachers, friends and other trusted adults matter enormously too. However, a much-loved character can provide a helpful starting point for talking about bravery, kindness and believing in yourself.
These lessons do not necessarily disappear when childhood ends. Eighty-one per cent of mothers agreed that the qualities learned from Disney Princesses remain relevant as girls grow up. A quarter of women aged between 18 and 34 said the characters had helped them to be kinder to others, while 31% of mothers felt they had helped improve their confidence.
Sharing the Magic Across Generations
One of the loveliest things about Disney films is how they become part of a family’s shared memories. A grandmother might introduce her granddaughter to Cinderella, while a mum who loved Belle as a child might later watch Beauty and the Beast with her own children.
The research found that 78% of mothers enjoy a princess-related activity with their daughter at least once a month. This could include watching a film, reading together, dressing up or creating imaginary adventures with toys. Forty-one per cent of grandmothers also regularly share these activities with their granddaughters.
Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse is an ambassador for this year’s World Princess Week. Her favourite Disney Princess is Tiana, whose warmth and determination have a special meaning for her.
Motsi said:
“Music and dance have shaped my whole life, so Tiana- a princess who follows her dream with warmth and determination – will always have a special place in my heart. I adored Disney Princesses as a child, and now it is a true joy to share that with my own daughter. Whether we’re dancing around the living room or lost in a story together, I love knowing that the qualities I hope she carries through life are the very ones she finds in the characters we love so much.”
I love the thought of stories, songs and living-room dances becoming happy family traditions while also quietly reinforcing positive messages.
Celebrating World Princess Week 2026
World Princess Week is a global celebration of Disney Princess characters and the stories that have inspired generations.
This year’s theme is “Once a Princess, Always a Princess”, recognising that the stories we love during childhood can remain meaningful throughout our lives.
Disney has marked the beginning of World Princess Week with a new short film, Once A Princess, Always A Princess: A Disney Short Film, created by filmmaker Alex Prager. The film is available to watch on Disney+ and YouTube.
This heartwarming short film is so lovely. It brought back memories of both playing princesses as a child and with my own children. Someone, please pass me the tissues.
Fans can also stream Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration on Disney+, enjoy new episodes and specials featuring Disney Princess characters, and take part in retail, digital and live experiences throughout the week.
IMPORTANT TRAITS YOUNG GIRLS NEED TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD TODAY:
- Confidence
- Kindness
- Resilience
- Independence
- Emotional intelligence
- Courage
- Problem-solving skills
- Compassion
- Creativity
- Curiosity
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PRINCESS TODAY
1. Showing courage in the face of adversity
2. Being kind
3. Being a confident leader
4. Being a good friend
5. Having a playful, creative spirit
DISNEY PRINCESSES MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS MOST WANT THEIR (GRAND)CHILDREN TO EMULATE
1. Moana
2. Belle (from Beauty and the Beast)
3. Merida (from Brave)
4. Cinderella
5. Snow White
6. Mulan
7. Rapunzel (from Tangled)
8. Pocahontas
9. Jasmine (from Aladdin)
10. Ariel (from The Little Mermaid)
Once a Princess, Always a Princess
Childhood stories stay with us in surprising ways. We may remember the songs and magical moments, but we can also carry their messages about being brave, choosing kindness and continuing when life does not go according to plan.
Every generation may have a different favourite princess, but the most meaningful qualities remain the same. Confidence helps girls find their voices, resilience helps them recover from setbacks, and kindness helps them use their strength to make the world a little better for others.
Who was your favourite Disney Princess growing up, and which character does your child love today?
The research featured in this post was conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by The Walt Disney Company for World Princess Week 2026.
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