Today at Disney, there are 1000 princesses, all of them magic. Not just magical, but magic. In pale blue and pink and green and chiffon and crinoline, with wands and crowns and glitter, and fairy wings, they are royalty.

They raise their arms and they are lifted onto shoulders so their feet float above the ground, and they can survey their kingdoms. They dance in front of the castle, and the smiles of subjects, with mouse ears and cameras, light their way with warmth and celebration. Ice cream and popcorn appear in their hands. Cartoon animals wave and smile and chatter at their beauty. And after the day, their father princes carry them, sleeping, in their arms and waken them with a kiss at home, just in time for bed.