History Main / WellExcuseMePrincess

This is essentially a satire of the standard MagicalGirlfriend, which describes a beautiful, classy, good-mannered, loyal girl -- the logical result being she should be somewhat critical of her {{loser|Protagonist}} boyfriend. She makes no attempt to ignore the fact that he ''is'' the LoserProtagonist, and frequently calls him on it, criticizes him, and rarely if ever fawns over him like some FanGirl. She expects better from him and pushes him to improve, while still expecting to be taken care of. However, the guy usually takes it in stride, [[SnarkToSnarkCombat mocks her in return]], or just says the trope title.

See also {{Tsundere}} and [[SheIsNotMyGirlfriend He Is Not My Boyfriend]]. Related to BelligerentSexualTension. Compare/Contrast ScrewYouElves and SurroundedByIdiots.

This is essentially a satire of the standard MagicalGirlfriend, which describes a beautiful, classy, good-mannered, loyal girl -- the logical result being she should be somewhat critical of her {{loser|Protagonist}} boyfriend. She makes no attempt to ignore the fact that he ''is'' the LoserProtagonist, and frequently calls him on it, criticizes him, and rarely if ever fawns over him like some FanGirl. She expects better from him and pushes him to improve, while still expecting to be taken care of. However, the guy usually takes it in stride, [[DeadpanSnarker mocks her in return]], or just says the trope title.

* Mort and Ysabel of ''Literature/{{Mort}}'' ([[TheGrimReaper Death's]] daughter and his apprentice, respectively) bicker and insult each other regularly, to the point where a scene that consists entirely of them both insulting each others' appearances is used to show they're ''warming up to each other''. They save the world a couple of times, and eventually marry and have an extremely snarky daughter.

%%%%* While they aren't in a love relationship (remove the ShippingGoggles and you'll see it) Gwen Tennyson often would have this attitude toward her cousin Ben in the original ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' series.

[[caption-width-right:330:"You called for a ''hero'', princess?"\\

[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/TheLegendOfZelda https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/linkzeldacomic2qa.png]]]]

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[[quoteright:330:[[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/excuse_me_princess.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:330:"You called for a ''hero'', princess?"\\
"Yes! But, I guess ''you'll'' have to do."]]

* Nagi and [[spoiler:Princess Arika]] in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', with some serious slaps thrown in for his uppitiness. [[ChivalrousPervert He was kind of asking for them]].

* Shinku in ''Manga/RozenMaiden'', partly because she believes Jun is her servant, partly because she has the attitude of an {{Ojou}} and Jun is a {{Hikikomori}}.
%%* Anna Kyouyama from ''Manga/ShamanKing''.
%%* Ermengarde's relationship with Dickon in ''Manga/SoukouNoStrain''.

* Tiana in ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog''. True, Naveen is [[HiddenDepths a lot more competent than he lets on]] -- he's [[BrilliantButLazy just lazy]], which is enough to set a {{workaholic}} like her off.

%%%%* ''Film/TheCuttingEdge''
* [[LovableRogue Han Solo's]] initial relationship with [[DefrostingIceQueen Princess Leia]] in the ''Franchise/StarWars'' films. Namely the first two, because by the third film they've softened to each other, and when they do snark, it's more in jest.
** Since ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'' a parody of ''Star Wars'', it has a generous helping of this dynamic with Princess Vespa (of the planet Druidia) and Lone Starr. Creator/MelBrooks said he named the planet Druidia so he could use this one joke:

** For a while after ''Franchise/StarWars'', Creator/HarrisonFord was {{typecast|ing}} for this kind of storyline. The number of movies with the premise "Harrison Ford is forced together with haughty woman and they [[BelligerentSexualTension hate each other]] but eventually fall in love" is considerable.
* ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime'' has this between Dastan and Tamina since Dastan (as the adopted son of the King of Persia) should be higher ranked than Tamina (as princess of a smallish city-state). Sure, Dastan was born an urchin but after spending most of his life as a prince the interaction comes across as odd. He defers to her (when he's not [[GoGoEnslavement selling her to bandits]]) because he's a gentleman, she's overbearing and holds a grudge because he is the main reason that Persia was able to conquer her small city-state. The overbearing attitude was more or less an act because she nearly escapes (and kills) Dastan because of it.
* ''Film/RingOfTerror'': Betty comes off as a bit of a nag after Lewis stands her up to attend a late-night class. But after conceding he had no choice (had he missed the class he'd have flunked out), she reveals the real reason she's unhappy with him: his FearlessFool act. She tries to justify it by observing that his lack of caution could drive him to do something dangerous, but this is couched in a throwaway line and then quickly glossed over. (Of course, she ultimately proves correct, after a fashion.)

* In David Eddings' ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', this is Garion and Ce'Nedra's relationship condensed down to four words. Unsurprisingly, she's pissed when she finds out that he isn't just a farm boy, but the long-lost heir to the Rivan Throne and hereditary Overlord of the West... in other words, ''more'' royal than she is. Belgarion has the foresight [[spoiler:to find a way to make them equal in status to preserve his own sanity after the marriage]].

* Precious Stone is this to Literature/JamesBond at the start of the ''Literature/YoungBond'' novel ''Literature/HurricaneGold''.

* WesternAnimation/KimPossible attempting to fix best friend [[{{Foil}} Ron Stoppable]]. Considering how pathetic he was through Season 1 and 2, she didn't go far enough.

* In ''Literature/MyYouthRomanticComedyIsWrongAsIExpected'', this is a notable element of the chemistry between [[FirstPersonSmartass Hachiman Hikigaya]] and [[DeadpanSnarker Yukino Yukinoshita]]. Although compared to the average person, it's debatable if Hachiman is a loser. Still with Hachiman compared to Yukino this trope is likely to apply. Yukino is described as incredibly beautiful, a strong first academically, and, in Hachiman's words (LN), the "epitome of nobility". On the other hand, Hachiman is described as having an [[FishEyes unpleasant]] [[PerpetualFrowner appearance]], academically variable at best, and socially awkward.

* Louie and Melissa in ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie'', as Melissa constantly criticizes Louie and tries to turn him into a 'champion'.

* This sums up ''[[Anime/MazingerZ Kouji Kabuto]]'' and Maria Grace Fleed's relationship in ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'', which might be one of the (if not ''[[TropeMakers the]]'') earliest examples in anime. Considering that Koji is being [[IdiotHero himself]], Maria's behavior is understandable.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': This incarnation of Zelda is much like [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 her cartoon counterpart]], being aloof and haughty towards Link with a dose of InferioritySuperiorityComplex driving the snark -- Link's ease at tapping into the powers of his previous incarnations was a constant reminder of her own repeated failures to do the same. Link taking this behavior in stride, combined with his saving her from Yiga Clan ninjas, causes her to have a JerkassRealization and she warms up to him.

[[quoteright:330:[[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/excuse_me_princess.jpg]]]]

* Fiona in the first ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} '' movie. She wasn't exactly fond of Shrek saving her from her imprisonment in a dragon-guarded tower [[spoiler:and that the handsome human Prince Charming was to rescue her]]. Shrek himself initially intended to save Fiona so that he could be awarded back his swamp by Lord Faquaard. The princess isn't amused by Shrek's "uncivilized" ogre manners but [[spoiler:it turns out this is a front since Fiona is cursed on turning into an ogre every night.]] They eventually fell for each other and Shrek [[spoiler: saves Fiona from being forcibly married to Lord Farquaad]].

-->-- '''Robin Hood''' to [[{{Tsundere}} Marian]], ''[[Series/RobinHood BBC's Robin Hood]]''

* In ''LightNovel/MyTeenRomanticComedySNAFU'', its a notable element of the chemistry between [[FirstPersonSmartass Hachiman Hikigaya]] and [[DeadpanSnarker Yukino Yukinoshita]]. Although compared to the average person, it's debatable if Hachiman is a loser. Still with Hachiman compared to Yukino this trope is likely to apply. Yukino is described as incredibly beautiful, a strong first academically, and, in Hachiman's words (LN), the "epitome of nobility". On the other hand, Hachiman is described as having an [[FishEyes unpleasant]] [[PerpetualFrowner appearance]], academically variable at best, and socially awkward.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Both of Xander Harris's girlfriends, Cordelia and Anya, had a strong tendency in this direction given his general loserness yet competency in helping with the supernatural nasties. By the time he's going out with Anya, he's more competent at arguing back, and so the trope is lampshaded in dialogue.

-->'''Diane:''' You're a [[ManChild rapidly aging adolescent!]]
-->'''Sam:''' Well, I would ''rather'' be ''that'' than a ''snob''!
-->'''Diane:''' And I would rather be a snob.
-->'''Sam:''' Well, ''good!'' -- because you ''are''!

%%* Lady Morgana from ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'' in the first series.

* [[Creator/TheBBC BBC's]] ''[[Series/RobinHood Robin Hood]]'':

** The Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed! For non-Trekkies, that's Lwaxana Troi, [[TheEmpath Deanna's]] mom. She marched around the Enterprise and Deep Space Nine like she owned the place, and looked awesome doing it. At least once per appearance, she would say her full title when letting some unfortunate schmo know whom they were dealing with, in a way that would evoke the local equivalent of "Well, excuuuuse ''me'', Princess!" if not for the diplomatic incident it would cause. She ''wanted'' to be Picard's {{Love Interest|s}}, but he wasn't interested... though she claims otherwise, [[PsychicPowers and she would know]]. It's made all the more hilarious that Lwaxana was played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and therefore literally owned the place (the idea, anyway). Later appearances had her blow through the titles like she was sick of saying it, generally when she honestly expected people to ''not'' be impressed. Her introduction to a certain constable does spring to mind...
** Kaitama the First Monarch in the ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "Precious Cargo". She starts off as a kidnapping victim in a box. When she is removed by [[MrFixit Trip Tucker]], she spends the episode being this to him while they escape from the kidnappers, leading to the inevitable squabbling, torn clothing, and passionate clinching.

If it involves an actual ''Princess'' Princess, see RoyalBrat. TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask can make similar demands.

** Kaitama the First Monarch in the ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "Precious Cargo". She starts off as a kidnapping victim GirlInABox. When she is removed by [[MrFixit Trip Tucker]], she spends the episode being this to him while they escape from the kidnappers, leading to the inevitable squabbling, torn clothing, and passionate clinching.

* Marguerite Blakeney and her husband, Lord Percy Blakeney, of ''Literature/TheScarletPimpernel'' fame. She fell in love with him and agreed to marry him despite his foppish ways because she could sense there was some depth there. But after their marriage, those depths have apparently evaporated, and she's married to [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob a complete airhead whose most pressing concern is fashion]]. ([[SecretIdentity Or so she thinks...]]) She doesn't hold him to a high standard anymore -- she just mocks him openly to their friends. Percy doesn't fight back in his own defense, because he loves her, but does not trust her.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': Link always makes a face at Midna and even growls at her as a wolf. It crosses into VitriolicBestBuds later in the game.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': This incarnation of Zelda is much like [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 her cartoon counterpart]], being aloof and haughty towards Link with a dose of InferioritySuperiorityComplex replacing the snark. This is for two reasons. First, Link was assigned to be her guard and knight and was ordered to stay at her side at all times, and Zelda views herself as independent enough to not need someone to protect her. Second, [[spoiler:she is (at first) unable to tap into the power of her Royal bloodline while Link was able to tap into the powers of the Hero incarnation much sooner than her. To her eyes, Link was a constant reminder of her failures]]. After Link saves her from Yiga ninjas, she has a JerkassRealization and warms up to him.
%%** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': Tetra and Link.