Free Princess Lessons by Meg Cabot Page B

Paolo.
HER ROYAL
HIGHNESS PRINCESS MIA THERMOPOLIS ASKS:
CAN A PRINCESS WEAR BRACES?
    Why not? Sometimes even
princesses have imperfect teeth. While I myself do not have braces, I do have a
retainer that I wear at night on account of the fact that I grind my teeth due
to stress-related issues concerning my grades in a certain class. But that’s
another story.
    Anyway, Paolo says the key to a beautiful
smile while wearing braces is:
    Brush often—nothing
is more unregal than a bit of Gummy Bear wedged between the teeth
    Use lots of gloss and pale lipstick (dark colors will draw
attention to the mouth)
    Play up the eyes (but not
too much—mascara and a little glitter is really all you
need)
    Put it all together, and you’ve got: The
perfect smile (with braces)!

II.
    A Note from
Her Royal Highness Princess Mia

    Being a princess isn’t just about how you look. A lot of it has to do with how you act. While knowing which fork to use may not seem very important, many an international incident has been prevented by good manners. At least according to Grandmère. Hopefully, by her spelling it all out here, you’ll be able to avoid any social embarrassments or gaffes the next time YOU are dining with an ambassador or head of state.
MANNERS
MATTER
by Clarisse Renaldo, Dowager
Princess of Genovia

    Having spent some
time in America, I can only say that there appears to be an appalling lack of
good manners in this country. Cab drivers honk without the least provocation,
waiters can be so rude the fourth or fifth time you send back your Sidecar for
refreshing…even so-called socialites exhibit a shocking unawareness of proper
decorum, sometimes calling supper “dinner,” and vice versa!
    Etiquette is not, after all, only for royalty. It is for all of us! For
only if we learn to treat one another with civility can we begin to hope for
fuller global understanding and better treatment by wait staff.
PRINCESS POSTURE
Stand Like a Princess

    If you wish to be treated
like a princess, it is important that you look like one. Princesses never
slouch. A princess stands tall at all times. Picture a string coming out from
the top of your head and going to the ceiling. Imagine that someone is pulling
that string, keeping your neck erect, your chin up.
Shoulders should not be thrown back, however—you are a princess, not
a fighter jet pilot!
    When being photographed from the feet
up, assume the “model stance”—or third position in ballet (though without the
extreme turnout). Your right foot should be forward, your left back and placed
slightly behind the right. This will give your legs a slimmer appearance.
Unless of course you are wearing slacks.
    But really, a princess
should never wear slacks to a photo shoot, unless she has thick ankles.

Sit Like a Princess
    Princesses always keep their knees close together when sitting.
This is so that the populace gathered before you in the throne room does not
catch a glimpse of your unmentionables! Imagine that you are holding something
very small between your knees—like a ten-carat sapphire ring from Tiffany, for
instance. That is how closely they should be kept together. Your feet should be
neatly crossed at the ankle, generally to one side, though directly beneath
your chair is also correct.
    In public, despite what my
granddaughter might think, princesses never cross their legs; sit Indian style;
rest their knees or feet on the chair in front of them; sit on one foot; sit
with their knees spread apart (except when directed to do so in an emergency
landing of the palace jet, of course); or sling their legs over an arm of their
chair.
    Hands should be folded demurely in the lap, unless you are
doing needlepoint, signing documents of state, or unwrapping a well-deserved cadeau from an admirer.
Walk Like a Princess

    A princess does not
shuffle, skip, or saunter. She strides confidently, with her head held high,
her gaze straight ahead, and her arms