All (Latin) American Princesses

Perhaps it's because the US is a republic that so many American girls foster a princess fantasy. Here's a country with no monarchy nor experience of one - it's a clean slate for dreams. I guess US girls' fantasy is pure, untainted by tabloid exposure. And, their national history doesn't reach back to the fantastical glory days of chivalrous knights of old. So, the princess bubble is never burst - or besmirched by fact and reality.




Nowhere in America is the princess fantasy more prevalent - or more readily acted out than amongst Hispanic 15 year olds. Yes, the poorest ethnic group in the US harbour the grandest fantasy. What's more they spend vast amounts living it. In a ceremony called Quinceañera, every 15 year old can be a princess for a day, or two.

Their families spend vast amounts (more than they can afford) on a dress that looks like a nightmare wedding meringue and a party that would rival a wedding reception. Here they present their daughters to the world, while said daughters clutch their last doll (yes, the dolls wear meringues too) and sob tears of joy. So has become the new tradition of the 15th birthday party.

It's not clear where this 'tradition' comes from. What's clear is how it has been commercially exploited. Families often spend money that could have been better used on educating the poor girl. It's a conspicuous show of wealth, for families who actually aren't very wealthy at all.

It's surely ridiculous, but you've got to feel sorry for the poor fathers. Over here, most fathers have kittens at the cost of their daughter's wedding. And, few daughters actually expect Daddy to foot the whole bill these days. But, in the US thousands of daddies are faced with funding the dream Quinceañera, before they're little girl's even left high school. Worst still, they must anticipate a wedding to follow soon after. You see, the whole object of Quinceañera is to market his young lady as attractive marriageable goods!

Psychic princess under pressure

Previously we reported that Norway's nutty Princess Martha Louise was flogging her recently discovered psychic abilities. She had launched a school to teach how to "communicate with angels", no less.

But, despite the inexplicable popularity of the school's syllabus, the stunt may now have back fired. In Norway, the people and press are clamouring for the Princess's scalp; they want her to relinquish her royal privileges.

Apparently, even conservative newspapers are criticizing the princess for "earning money on her princess title". Noting that Princess Martha Louise is a theoretical heir to the Norwegian throne, the biggest newspaper outside of Oslo, Bergens Tidende, said: "[Princess Martha Louise] needs to relate to the rest of us others within a certain framework.". Which seems to be a roundabout way of saying, "It would be nice if Princess Martha Louise was on the same planet as the rest of us".

Other Norwegian newspapers, like Aftenposten, have also run critical editorial. While predictably the Princess has blamed the media for stirring up controversy unnecessarily. She says she can't see a problem with using her royal title to promote the venture.

And used it she has. That same royal title secured her a large block of free air time on Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) on Saturday evening. But, the unrepentent princess accusses the media of "Bullying". Hmmm, there must be hundreds of fruitcakes who talk to the fairies, do they get a prime time TV slot? Spot the difference, Princess!

Mad as a... Norweigan princess!

Nutty Norweigan princess, Märtha Louise last week announced she was clairvoyant. As reported at Aftenposten, the 35 year old psychic princess has said that she will be launching a school to teach how to "communicate with angels". Students will pay just over £1000 per 'semester' for a three year, two day a week course. Two days a week? Clearly, one wouldn't want to tire oneself out!



Incredibly, the courses are said to be filling up - despite widespread mockery and criticism in the media. The motto of the school, dubbed by local media "The Angel School" is: "Create miracles in your own life with the angels and your own power." Hmm... I guess it's slightly easier to create 'miracles' if you've substantial wealth and the persuasive powers of royal patronage at your disposal. Given her own (considerable) 'powers' (or wealth and influence, as they are better known) and now she's hooked up with the angels, one might expect princess Märtha Louise to be unstoppable. Sadly, not so, she's taken to her bed, cancelling engagements due to the pressure of media criticism experienced in the past week!