History Main / PrincessForADay

* "[[http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/stories/katie.html Katie Woodencloak]]":
* "[[http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/stories/rashin.html Rashin Coatie]]"
* "[[http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/donkeyskin/stories/allfur.html All-Kinds-of-Fur]]":
* "[[http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/donkeyskin/stories/kingdaughter.html The King Who Wished To Marry His Daughter]]"

* ''WebComic/ScandinaviaAndTheWorld''; in the strip [[https://satwcomic.com/australian-princess Australian Princess]], Sister Australia is sad because she wants to go to the royal ball, but she can't since Australia doesn't have a monarchy. Denmark makes her an honorary Danish princess so she can go, and the two happily enjoy each other's company for the night.

* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Caraboo Princess Caraboo]], actually an Englishwoman named Mary Baker, successfully pretended for some time to be a princess from an exotic country.

** The girls do this when they go to the princess finishing school for one episode of the [[Anime/SailorMoon first anime]]. Ami and Makoto pass more or less well. [[HotBlooded Rei]], [[TheDitz Minako and Usagi]] [[EpicFail do NOT]]. [[spoiler: Since the whole princess school gig was a trap from the enemy to capture Sailor Moon/Princess Serenity (which involved brainwashing an English noblewoman who lived in Japan so she'd become TheMole), this means the three rejected girls avert capture by the MonsterOfTheWeek [[SpannerInTheWorks and completely trash the plan]].]]

* In a ''[[UsefulNotes/TheStudentenverbindung Studentenverbindung]],'' the most junior class of fraternity students are known as ''Füchse'' (Foxes) and are generally relegated to menial tasks like operating the bar. During the ''Fuchsenkneipe'' celebration however, the seniority of all fraternity members is reversed for one evening, and the ''Füchse'' get to call all the shots (with the youngest ''Fuchs'' becoming the master of ceremonies). This is done not to PetTheDog so much as to teach the runts a lesson about TheChainsOfCommanding.

* In a ''[[UsefulNotes/TheStudentenverbindung Studentenverbindung]],'' the most junior class of fraternity students are known as ''Füchse'' (Foxes) and are generally relegated to menial tasks like operating the bar. During the ''Fuchsenkneipe'' celebration however, the seniority of all fraternity members is reversed for one evening, and the ''Füchse'' get to call all the shots (with the youngest ''Fuchs'' becoming the master of ceremonies). This is done not so much to PetTheDog as to teach the runts a lesson about TheChainsOfCommanding.

* In a ''[[UsefulNotes/TheStudentenverbindung Studentenverbindung]],'' the most junior class of fraternity students are known as ''Füchse'' (Foxes) and are generally relegated to menial tasks like operating the bar. During the ''Fuchsenkneipe'' celebration however, the seniority of all fraternity brothers is reversed for one evening, and the ''Füchse'' get to call all the shots (with the youngest ''Fuchs'' becoming the master of ceremonies). This is done not so much to PetTheDog as to teach the runts a lesson about TheChainsOfCommanding.

* It's not a party, but at one point in ''Manga/FruitsBasket'', Tohru is invited to take a vacation at a Sohma family-owned spa, as a Golden Week gift. Lampshaded when a blown-over Tohru says that she feels like a princess.

It could be part of a MassiveMultiplayerScam, or because she's been telling a loved one or rival living somewhere else that she is part of the upper class. If it's the latter, expect the deception to be exposed, and AnAesop about honesty and being yourself. Other times, it's just that girl showing up and having a good time.

* The Literature/HawkAndFisher story, ''Vengeance for a Lonely Man'', by Creator/SimonRGreen sees the main characters going undercover as minor nobility to catch a spy who's stolen extremely sensitive information. Interestingly a popular fan theory at the time had it that Hawk & Fisher were nobility -- namely Prince Rupert & Princess Julia from the recently published ''Blue Moon Rising''. The later ''Blue Moon Rising'' officially [[spoiler:confirmed]] this theory.

[[folder: Anime And Manga ]]

** In both the first anime and the [[Manga/SailorMoon manga]], Sailor Moon investigates a party being held in honor of Princess D, since she's in possession of a very rare jewel that ''may'' be the Sivler Crystal. She uses her magic pen to morph into a princess, and has her fun until the enemy attacks. She also gets a dance and a kiss with Tuxedo Mask (although she doesn't seem to remember the latter, seeing as she was [[DudeShesLikeInAComa drunk and sleepy at the time]])

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* DC issue #28 of ''ComicBook/ThePowerpuffGirls'' was titled "Princess For A Day," but was instead a dialogueless story of Princess Morbucks at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten being upstaged at every turn by the Powerpuffs.

[[folder: Fairy Tales ]]

[[folder: Films -- Animated ]]
* ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'': Vanellope Von Schweetz crosses the finish line and resets her game Sugar Rush, which returns her to her proper place--princess of the game. But her tenure is short-lived as she gives it up for her regular clothes and position of President.

[[folder: Films -- Live-Action ]]

* Jack dresses up like a first class passenger in ''Film/{{Titanic 1997}}''.

[[folder: Literature ]]

* Meg in ''Literature/LittleWomen'' gets this treatment in the chapter "Vanity Fair", and attends a high class party held by a rich friend of hers... only [[HumblePie to be humbled]] by [[GossipyHens ladies whispering behind her back about her and her family's poverty]] and Laurie calling her out on being shallow. That and those dancing slippers ''really'' hurt.

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* Occurred in ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' when Emily wanted to show off her perfect dranddaughter Rory.

[[folder: Theatre ]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: WebComics]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* "Literature/{{Cinderella}}"

* ''Disney/WreckItRalph'': Vanellope Von Schweetz crosses the finish line and resets her game Sugar Rush, which returns her to her proper place--princess of the game. But her tenure is short-lived as she gives it up for her regular clothes and position of President.
* Tiana in ''Disney/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', accidentally, which leads to the film's big twist. Also Charlotte, who is technically the princess of Mardi Gras for its duration, as Mama Odie's spell specifies.

* Emberella in ''Discworld/WitchesAbroad'' really is a princess (well, daughter of the ruler of the city at least - technically he was a baron), but she's not the one who goes to the ball; Magrat Garlick is.[[labelnote: *]]Magrat herself later becomes a queen for real by marrying the king of a completely different country.[[/labelnote]]

This is whenever a low- to middle-class girl gets to put on some fancy clothes and pretends to be a member of the upper class for a short time -- maybe even [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses a princess]]. Often [[DancesAndBalls it's to go to a royal ball]], but it could be for different reasons.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/{{Cinderella}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/princess_for_a_day_6.jpg]]]]

* ''Theatre/{{Pygmalion}}'' / ''Theatre/MyFairLady''

[-[[caption-width-right:350:One night of grace and charm in a life of toil and chore.]]-]

This is whenever a low- to middle-class girl gets to put on some fancy clothes and pretends to be a member of the upper class for a short time-- maybe even [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses a princess]]. Often [[DancesAndBalls it's to go to a royal ball]], but it could be for different reasons.

* Emberella in ''Discworld/WitchesAbroad'' really is a princess, but she's not the one who goes to the ball; Magrat Garlick is.

* In ''Catherine, The Great Journey'' of TheRoyalDiaries she has nothing nice enough to wear to the royal court until the king lets her borrow a gown belonging to the king's sister. When she has to return it it reminds her of the story about the little ash girl who was beautiful until the stroke of midnight.

* Tiana in ''Disney/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', accidentally, which leads to the film's big twist.

** Kaylee was an example of "just that girl showing up and having a good time"; she enjoyed herself tremendously except for one run-in with the AlphaBitch (who got put in her place anyway). She wore a fancy dress but never pretended to be someone beside herself and this made her the most popular young woman there. All the young men (and a fair number of the not-so-young men) at the party were fascinated by a pretty woman who knew more about engines than they did.
** Mal was partly a Prince for a Day. At first, he was at the event only becuase he was interested in getting their job done and he needed to make a contact there, but then when he saw Inara, he decided to join in and have some fun, dancing with her.

* In ''Series/{{Merlin 2008}}'', Gwen impersonated Morgana in one season 2 ep, after she and Morgana were captured by bandits. Morgana escaped and the henchman taking Gwen back begged her to impersonate Morgana in fear that the leader, Hengist, would kill him if he didn't bring back Morgana.
* In an episode of ''Series/FullHouse'', the Tanners vacation in Disneyland and, while visiting an attraction based around the genie's lamp from ''Aladdin'', Michelle winds up winning the position of the amusement park's "Princess of the Day" and is rewarded three wishes-- all while simultaneously domineering her sisters around and eventually learning her lesson about it.

* In ''VideoGame/InfiniteSpace'', in order to get somebody from the LMC who is willing to hear about [[spoiler:Lugovalos threat]], Nia disguises herself as a representative from Lanco Warship Manufacturing (using the dress that Yuri bought for her) to attend the conference at Zefiro. [[spoiler:And a few hours later into the game, we learn that she WAS a princess...]]

* Much of the [[WeddingAndEngagementTropes wedding industry]] is built on this trope, as is the idea that the bride is princess or queen for her wedding day.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/{{Cinderella 1997}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/princess_for_a_day_6.jpg]]]]

* Both, [[Anime/YesPrettyCure5 Nozomi]] and [[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Miyuki]] become Cinderella for an episode, respectively. However, the latter and her team actually transform into princesses since episode 23 onwards.

* DC issue #28 of ''ThePowerpuffGirls'' was titled "Princess For A Day," but was instead a dialogueless story of Princess Morbucks at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten being upstaged at every turn by the Powerpuffs.

* Meg in ''LittleWomen'' gets this treatment in the chapter "Vanity Fair", and attends a high class party held by a rich friend of hers... only [[HumblePie to be humbled]] by [[GossipyHens ladies whispering behind her back about her and her family's poverty]] and Laurie calling her out on being shallow. That and those dancing slippers ''really'' hurt.
* The HawkAndFisher story, ''Vengeance for a Lonely Man'', by Creator/SimonRGreen sees the main characters going undercover as minor nobility to catch a spy who's stolen extremely sensitive information. Interestingly a popular fan theory at the time had it that Hawk & Fisher were nobility -- namely Prince Rupert & Princess Julia from the recently published ''Blue Moon Rising''. The later ''Blue Moon Rising'' officially [[spoiler:confirmed]] this theory.

* Vin does this several times in ''{{Mistborn}}'', impersonating a noblewoman in order to gather information about what the nobles are planning and to try and pit different noble houses against each other.

* In ''Series/{{Merlin}}'', Gwen impersonated Morgana in one season 2 ep, after she and Morgana were captured by bandits. Morgana escaped and the henchman taking Gwen back begged her to impersonate Morgana in fear that the leader, Hengist, would kill him if he didn't bring back Morgana.