Rapunzel named 10th Disney Princess in ceremony at Kensington Palace in London

Disney officially welcomed Rapunzel as the 10th Disney Princess character at a star-studded celebration on Oct. 2, 2011. The ceremony took place at Kensington Palace in London with a royal court including by Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White and Tiana.

The procession through Kensington Gardens was watched by an estimated over 25,000 Disney fans waving flags and lining the parade route to welcome Rapunzel and the other Disney Princesses in their horse-drawn carriages. In a world first, Kensington Palace, was chosen by Disney as the location for this magical welcoming ceremony of a Disney Princess, as it has been the home of many real life Princesses over the centuries.

“Rapunzel’s royal celebration at Kensington Palace was truly a meaningful and important event in the history of Disney Princess,” said Bob Iger, Disney president and chief executive officer. “Since the release of Tangled, Princess Rapunzel’s inquisitive and energetic personality has filled the hearts and homes of little girls around the world.”

More than 100 little girls from over 25 countries dressed as princesses joined the festivities and witnessed the crowning of Rapunzel by Fairy God Mother and Flynn Rider. The celebrations continued with a fun filled afternoon from lantern making to storytelling. Celebrities in attendance included from the United States, Nicole Richie with husband Joel Madden and their son and daughter; from the UK, Peter Andre, Helen McCrory, Damian Lewis; from Brazil, Ticiane Pinheiro Justus; from Italy, Laura Chiatti.

“Today’s celebration was vibrant, energetic and fun, just like our newest addition to the Disney Princess family herself,” said Anne Gates, Disney Consumer Products executive vice president. “Girls everywhere have admired Princess Rapunzel for her curiosity and imagination and now they can continue to celebrate her strengths and story with her induction into the Disney Princess royal court.”

Rapunzel is a modern heroine – she may have lived her entire life locked inside a hidden tower but Rapunzel is no damsel in distress. The girl with 70 feet of glowing, magical hair is an upbeat young lady who fills her days with art, books and imagination. She is full of curiosity about the outside world and can’t help but feel her true destiny lies outside of the lonely tower walls.

To kick off her celebration, Rapunzel arrived in London a week early to do some sightseeing and visited a famous London landmark every day. Fans can view Rapunzel’s royal journey picture gallery at Facebook.com/DisneyLiving and see the newest Disney Princess visiting Salt Tower at the Tower of London, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge at Thames River and Big Ben.

About Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is famed for its associations with Princesses. Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria, Britain’s longest reigning monarch) was born at Kensington Palace on 24th May 1819 and was christened the following month in the Cupola Room. Her love for the palace ensured the renovations of the State Apartments in 1897 which were opened to the public on Queen Victoria’s 80th birthday. Today, parts of Kensington Palace continue to serve as residences for members of the Royal Family. The best known resident in recent years was Diana, Princess of Wales who occupied apartments in the north-west part of the palace from 1981-1997.