Cinderella is one of the most beloved fairy tale characters of all time. Her story of overcoming adversity and finding true love continues to capture the hearts of readers young and old. But who exactly was Cinderella’s prince charming? Let’s take a closer look at the identity and backstory of Cinderella’s lover.
Who was the prince in Cinderella?
In the original Cinderella fairy tale written by Charles Perrault in 1697, Cinderella’s prince is not given a name. He is simply referred to as “the prince” or “the son of the king.” Some later retellings of the story, such as the 1950 Disney film, name him Prince Charming. But in Perrault’s version, the prince remains nameless and little information is provided about him beyond his status as heir to the throne.
All we know from the classic fairy tale is that the prince orchestrates a ball in hopes of finding a bride. When Cinderella arrives, dressed in finery provided by her fairy godmother, the prince is immediately smitten and spends the entire evening dancing with her. He then launches a search to identify the mysterious maiden after she disappears at midnight, leaving behind only a glass slipper. This demonstrates the prince’s determination to find his true love no matter the difficulty.
Origins of “Prince Charming”
The name “Prince Charming” emerged in later retellings of the Cinderella story, beginning in the late 18th century. It was used to evoke the prince’s handsome features and noble manner. However, it wasn’t until the release of Disney’s animated Cinderella film in 1950 that the name became widely popularized as the prince’s moniker.
In the Disney version, Prince Charming is given slightly more character development than in Perrault’s tale, but he still remains somewhat one-dimensional. He rides into town on a white horse, dresses in finery, and dutifully searches for the woman who will be his bride. His courage and determination to find Cinderella are highlighted, but Prince Charming still serves mainly as a stock fairy tale hero.
Analysis of Prince Charming as a character
When examining Prince Charming as a character, several observations can be made:
- He is privileged but noble. As the son of a king, Prince Charming has lived a life of wealth and status. Yet he demonstrates respect toward Cinderella and a sense of duty in pursuing the woman he believes to be his rightful bride.
- He is more reactive than proactive. The prince does not play an overly active role in the story. Rather, he waits for women to be presented to him at the ball and then reacts when Cinderella captures his interest.
- He is persistent. Prince Charming expends great effort to track down Cinderella after she disappears from the ball, underscoring his determination.
- He is romanticized. Little is known about Prince Charming beyond his position and quest to find Cinderella, allowing readers’ imaginations to romanticize him as the ideal handsome suitor.
So in summary, Cinderella’s prince is characterized primarily through his role as a dutiful royal searching for a suitable wife. Details about his personality or life beyond this central quest remain scarce. This allows him to function as a largely blank slate onto which desire for an ideal romantic hero can be projected.
Cinderella’s prince in film adaptations
The most iconic portrayal of Cinderella’s prince is in Disney’s animated classic, where he was named Prince Charming. In subsequent Cinderella films, the prince has been depicted in different ways:
Prince Christopher – Cinderella (1997)
Played by Paulo Andre in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical starring Brandy and Whitney Houston, Prince Christopher is given a name and shows more personality than the original prince. He disguises himself as a commoner to avoid pressure from his father to marry. While incognito, he meets and connects with Cinderella.
Prince Charmont – A Cinderella Story (2004)
Chad Michael Murray portrays Prince Charmont (Char for short) in this modern teen reimagining. Still a wealthy aristocrat pursued by ladies at his school, he displays sincerity in getting to know the real, unpopular Cinderella (Hilary Duff).
Kit – Cinderella (2015)
In Disney’s 2015 live action remake, the prince played by Richard Madden is named Kit. More rebellious and independent than the animated Prince Charming, Kit has a chance encounter with Cinderella in the woods during a hunt before they meet again at the ball.
So while Cinderella’s prince remains relatively undefined in the original tale, he has gained more character dimension and taken on various identities in contemporary retellings. But his core role as Cinderella’s destined lover prevails.
Cinderella’s perspective on the prince
How does Cinderella feel about the unnamed prince who captivates her at the ball? It can be surmised that:
- She is awe-struck by his handsome looks and royal status.
- His invitation to dance makes her feel noticed and respected.
- His persistent attempts to find her make Cinderella feel valued.
- She appreciates the prospect of escape from her abusive home life through marriage.
- Cinderella falls quickly for the prince despite barely knowing him, demonstrating her desire to be loved.
Cinderella’s immediate infatuation with the prince reflects a fairy tale wish-fulfillment. His fine clothes and manners represent a better life, while his interest in Cinderella conveys that she is worthy of being seen and valued despite her wretched treatment by her stepfamily. Therefore, the prince embodies Cinderella’s dearest hopes, explaining her loving connection to him.
Conclusion
The identity of Cinderella’s destined lover remains relatively obscure in the classic fairy tale, where he is known only as “the prince.” Some later reimaginings name him Prince Charming and show him to be a dutiful royal searching for his bride. Though the details of the prince’s character vary across adaptations, he consistently functions as the ideal romantic figure who validates Cinderella’s worthiness and provides her salvation through marriage. His appeal to Cinderella underscores the fairy tale promise that true love can overcome any obstacle or hardship.