Research out to mark the DVD launch of the new Barbie The Princess & the Popstar on 3September shows more girls under 12 dream of finding a real prince than becoming the next Rhianna or Cheryl Cole. Dubbed the “K Factor” the phenomena is thanks to commoner Kate marrying William and showing little girls that becoming a princess is not just for fairytales.
Parenting on Female First
Nearly two thirds of the 2,000 parents surveyed think Kate’s arrival into royalty has helped show how any little girl could marry a prince with 67 per cent of mums thinking it is now not such a far fetched idea. And around 10 per cent would actively encourage their daughter to find a prince so they themselves could, like Carol Middleton, become part of an extended royal family.
In the new Barbie DVD, Barbie plays both a popstar and a princess who swap lives to see what the other’s life is like. But according to the new research fewer parents welcome the idea of their child following a pop career than finding a handsome prince.
When it comes to getting their girls ready to meet a royal Mr Right, some mums may be leaving too much to chance. When it comes to teaching their children good manners and etiquette only a third of parents in the South East think it is important while the majority of parents in Scotland – where Kate met Will – place greater importance on manners and believe that teaching girls how to behave in lofty social circles is vital.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward said Kate’s popularity as the new breed of royal was inspiring girls to think about meeting their own prince.
The royal biographer and editor of Majesty magazine said: “Kate is popular with young girls as she proved that fairytales can come true. She came from an ordinary family and yet she married her Prince. He fell in love with her because she was charming and kind not because she was from a grand family.
“Kate's story has a fairy tale element. She was an ordinary girl he was a Prince and yet nothing stopped their love. Kate proves you can have what you want if you want it badly enough regardless of your background," Ingrid added.