(regal music) - [Narrator] Of all the fables
recited to us as children, there is no more enduring character than that of the fairy tale princess. Whether they are born into
royalty like Sleeping Beauty, or marry into it like Cinderella, real life princesses have plenty in common with their fairy tale counterparts, dressed by couturiers,
dining on fine cuisine, and luxuriating in palaces
and exclusive resorts; but the complications
of modern day existence conspire to make the
lives of real princesses far more rich and diverse
than any fairy tale. (regal music continues) (lighthearted music) Our story begins with a young
woman from Philadelphia, who conquered hearts
as a Hollywood princess before being whisked the away
by a real life prince charming to become Her Serene Highness
The Princess of Monaco. Born in 1929, Grace Patricia
Kelly's cherished dream was to become a stage actress. She funded her own way
through drama school by modeling evening wear
for New York fashion houses. (bright music) After gaining her first
professional acting experience in live television, she landed her first starring
role in 1952's "High Noon". She went on to win a
Golden Globe from "Mogambo" the following year, then she
won a leading actress Oscar for the black and white
film "Country Girl". And by the age of 26, she'd starred in the classic
musical "High Society" and three films directed
by Alfred Hitchcock. Having made only 11 films and with her whole career ahead of her, Grace stunned the world by announcing she was
ready to give it all up to marry the crown prince of a tiny European
principality called Monaco. Surrounded by France, the world's second
smallest independent nation was practically unknown to
anyone except the wealthy jet set who basked in the luxury of
Monaco's beaches, casinos, and lacks income tax laws. But in 1955, Crown Prince Rainier's
engagement to Grace Kelly immediately put Monaco on the map. (bright music continues) And if she had been popular
with the press before, the young film star now had to deal with the unprecedented frenzy sparked by the media's obsession with documenting her
transition from Hollywood siren to Her Serene Highness. Even aboard the cruise ship that was crawling with film
crews and photographers, she managed to keep smiling, no doubt finding solace in the company of her pet Hungarian Vizsla before having to face the
crowds of adoring Monegasques, who were soon to become
her loyal subjects. (bright music continues) Prince Rainier was there
to greet her as she landed and guide her through
all the pomp and ceremony that her new role as Her
Serene Highness would demand. Billed as the wedding of the century, the ceremony took place
on April 19th, 1956. The day before, the royal
couple had exchanged vows in a private civil ceremony. But on the big day, it was clear that the years of dramatic
training and professional acting had prepared her to play a starring role as the princess bride. In front of a television viewing audience of 30 million people around the globe, her stunning dress of silk,
taffeta, tulle, and lace shone like silver. It was designed by Metro-Goldwin-Mayer's Oscar-winning costume designer Helen Rose, and took 36 seamstresses
six weeks to complete. (bright music continues) The lavish ceremony at
Saint Nicholas Cathedral was attended by the likes
of Ava Gardner, David Niven, Gloria Swanson, Cary
Grant, and the Aga Khan. The story goes that
Britain's Queen Elizabeth turned down an invitation to the wedding on the grounds that there would be too many film stars there. Exquisitely poised and quietly composed, the celebrated beauty carried
her part off to perfection, leaving Hollywood to mourn
the premature retirement of one of its brightest stars. Her Serene Highness
approached her new role with the same dedication she plowed into her
Oscar-winning film career. After a seven-week honeymoon cruise aboard the prince's yacht, she got straight down to the task of producing an heir to the throne. Nine months later, she gave
birth to Princess Caroline, whose arrival was celebrated
with a 21-gun salute. A year later, 101 guns welcomed Prince Albert into the world. And seven years after that, Grace gave birth to their third
child, Princess Stephanie. While Grace may have missed
her Hollywood friends and stellar career, she contented herself
with her civic duties as the Crown Princess consort and pictures of their growing family became staple fodder for news bulletins and glossy magazines around the world. In 1982, just one year after the royal couple's
25th wedding anniversary, Princess Grace was driving
her daughter Stephanie home from their country retreat when her car plunged
over the mountain side on a windy strip of road. They were both taken to the
Princess Grace Hospital. And while Stephanie was destined to recover from her injuries, her mother died the following
day at the age of 52. The dramatic end to her life added a fitting twist to the fairy tale. Devastated by her death, Prince Rainier never married again and was buried alongside her
in the Grimaldi family vault following his death in 2005. (melancholic music) (regal music) While Grace was transforming
from movie star to princess in the late 1950s, Princess Soraya of Iran was attempting to reverse
the metamorphosis. Back in 1948, the daughter of the Iranian
ambassador to West Germany had been introduced to the
recently divorced shah of Iran while she was still studying
at a Swiss finishing school. The shah was instantly enamored, and the couple married
in decadent splendor at Golestan Palace in Tehran in 1951. One and a half tons of
orchids, tulips, and carnations were flown in from Holland; and Soraya wore a silver lame
gown encrusted with pearls and trimmed with marabou
feathers by Christian Dior. The outfit was topped off with a full-length white-mink cape. The heavy snow that formed a background to the lavish celebrations
was deemed a good omen. Unfortunately, however, the opulence and extravagance
of Iranian royal life could not cover over the cracks that quickly began to
appear in the marriage, which after several
years remain childless. After seeking treatment
in France and Switzerland for Soraya's apparent infertility,
the shah suggested that, as allowed by their Muslim religion, he should take a second wife
who could produce an heir. Soraya refused to go
along with his proposal. And despite his pleas for her to return, she left for her parents' home in Cologne on the same ship that carried
Grace Kelly to Monaco; preferring to be divorced than sidelined. (bright music) In April 1958, a weeping
shah announced to Iran that their marriage was over. Keeping the title Her Imperial Highness The Princess Soraya of Iran for a while, it looked like she might marry Prince Raimondo Orsini
of Rome on the rebound. However, the Catholic church
did not look favorably on Raimondo's proposed union to a Muslim. Soraya then moved to France and set her heart on
breaking into the movies. She finally made her film debut
in "Three Faces of a Woman", which premiered to an audience
of 3,000 in Rome in 1965. As the green-eyed Soraya, dressed in a long emerald
green evening dress, arrived, crowd swarmed around her. By this time, she was well-used
to the clamoring paparazzi and their flashing bulbs. "Three Faces of a Woman"
was not a success, but Soraya did find love with the movie's
director, Franco Indovina. Tragically, Franco died six
years later in a plane crash and Soraya spent the rest of her life being dogged by deep depression. (regal music) Another royal contemporary
of both Grace and Soraya may also have made her
way to the big screen if the restrictions
imposed by her birthright had not prevented her from
seeking a performing career. There's no doubt that the
young Princess Margaret was beautiful enough to have held her own among the starlets of the 1950s. After her death at the age
of 71 in February 2002, her nephew, Prince Charles
shared his fond memories. - My aunt was one of
those remarkable people who apart from being incredibly
vital and attractive, and of course when she was young
so many people remember her for that vitality and attractiveness and indeed her incredible beauty, but she also, and I think many
people don't realize this, had such incredible talents. I remember so well she
used to play the piano incredibly well and she
had an extraordinary ear, she could pick up and play
by ear almost any tune. And she sang like an angel. I always remember that as a child. And of course she was, she had this wonderfully sharp mind and used to literally win
crossword puzzle competitions, and I think one of the, one of the fondest memories
I shall have of her was, was of her sitting at the piano playing away with a large
very elegant cigarette holder in her mouth. And, as I say, we shall
all miss her dreadfully. - [Narrator] But Charles's
affection for Princess Margaret was not always shared by other
members of the royal family or the general public. Thanks to her aptitude
for courting controversy, she was often depicted
as a rebel princess. She was born in Scotland in 1930. Her parents were then
Duke and Duchess of York. In 1936, the abdication of Edward VIII unexpectedly put her father on the throne and Margaret and her
older sister Elizabeth was suddenly saddled
with the responsibility of being daughters of the king. As she grew up, Princess
Margaret began to win a place in the public's affection. She was very different in
personality to her sister, who came across as
conscientious and well-behaved, while the more wayward Margaret was more likely to get into trouble. When World War II ended in 1945, Margaret and her sister
joined their parents and Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the balcony of
Buckingham Palace on VE Day to wave to the cheering crowds. (crowd cheering) In 1952, her father King George VI died and she saw the attention
switch to her sister as she became Queen Elizabeth II. A year later, however, the spotlight snapped back
to the 23-year-old princess when she fell in love with Peter Townsend, a former Battle of Britain pilot. But he was divorced, and
Margaret was given an ultimatum. Marriage to Peter would
mean giving up her title and a place in the royal family. Royal duty won out over romance. And five years later, Margaret announced her engagement to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, who later became Lord Snowdon. This time there could be no objections. And in 1960, they were
married at Westminster Abbey. (crowd cheering) The couple with a focus of high society. And they had two children,
Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah. But before long, speculation about Margaret's
extra marital affairs became the subject of many a rumor. Throughout the '60s and '70s, her name was linked
with a string of lovers, such as Mick Jagger and Peter Sellers, who allegedly visited her house on the Caribbean island of Mustique. And in 1978, her well-publicized romance with gardener Roddy Llewellyn finally led to her
divorce from Lord Snowdon and the associated scandal
led to public demand for Princess Margaret to stand down. Her failing health in later life was often blamed on her earlier excesses. Known to enjoy a drink, she'd
also been a chain smoker and had part of her left lung removed prior to suffering her
first stroke in 1998. But while many wrote the princess off as a waste of taxpayers' money, the artists and intellectuals
she loved so much saw her differently. Writer Gore Vidal was
once quoted as saying, "She was far too intelligent
for her station in life." Finally, bound to a wheelchair, Margaret spent her last years
in the bosom of her family, often appearing in public
alongside her sister. (regal music) Another royal rebel is Princess Grace of
Monaco's daughter, Stephanie. Although her story bears more resemblance to that of Princess Margaret than the shy and retiring Sayako. At 19, Stephanie was in the car with Grace when it ran off a mountain road in Monaco. Her own severe injuries from the accident prevented her from bidding farewell to the mother who lovingly
labeled her "wild child". Since then Stephanie has run
off the rails numerous times. Her relationships have included affairs with a Spanish singer, the
son of a French film star, a conman, and actor Rob Lowe. And in 1995, she married her former
bodyguard Daniel Ducruet, with whom she'd already had two children. A year later, they were divorced and Stephanie embarked on more affairs with actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, footballer Fabien Barthez,
and a ski instructor, to whom she became pregnant
with her third child. She went on to strike up liaisons with a Swiss circus owner
and her father's butler as well as having a fling with her sister Caroline's ex-husband. Now in her 40s, she is said to be dating French actor and musician Merwan Rim, who is 12 years her junior. Aside from her penchant
for tough active men, since her father Prince
Rainier's death in 2005, she has become just as
passionately involved in the fight against AIDS. And in 2006, she was honored to be appointed Special Representative for the Joint United
Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. (speaks in foreign language) - Everybody is concerned. Every country in the world is concerned. It's a global problem. AIDS has no borders. No social, political,
religious, or racial barriers. I think it affects really everybody. (regal music) - [Narrator] Like her younger sister, Princess Caroline of Monaco is
passionate about good causes as well as founding the
children's charity Jeune J'Ecoute, she has been awarded
Commander of Cultural Merit in recognition of her
commitment to the arts. And in 2006, she was honored with the UNICEF Children's Champion Award. She came into the world with great fanfare on January the 23rd, 1957. The first child of proud parents, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier, her birth was marked
with public celebrations in front of Monaco's great palace. Still basking in the afterglow of their crown prince's wedding to the beautiful Grace Kelly, Monaco was delighted for the
excuse to throw another party. Later that year, she made
her first public appearance on the palace's balcony. - [Announcer] Amid general rejoicing, balloons, stamped for the
date of the baby's birth, were released while
there was free champagne to drink her health. - [Narrator] As the oldest child of Monaco's reigning family, she became well-used to the
spotlight from an early age. Rather like her kid sister Stephanie, she discovered her rebellious
streak as a teenager. And much to her mother's disapproval, married a divorced banker
called Philippe Junot, who had quite a reputation as a playboy. However, as Grace had predicted, the marriage was over within two years. Two years later, Caroline was devastated by Grace's sudden death and struggled to keep her composure during the state funeral. Not long after, she seemed
to have found happiness when she married businessman
Stefano Casiraghi. They had three children together before Stefano was tragically
killed in a speedboat accident at the age of 30. Princess Caroline finally
married again in 1999, and this time into royalty. Her third husband is Ernst August, the fifth prince of Hanover, a match much more in keeping
with her royal position than either of her previous marriages, especially in view of her status as presumptive heir to the throne. This means that if her
younger brother Albert, the current crown prince of Monaco dies without a legitimate heir, she will automatically
become the crown princess, making her eldest son, Andrea Albert, second in line to the throne. Having well and truly put
her wild days behind her, Princess Caroline seems content to be continuing her mother's legacy. Blessed with the same film
star radiance and elegance, her charity work now takes
priority over her social life. On the downside, the beauty and intrigue
of Monaco's royal women has drawn so much media intrusion
into their private lives that in 2004 Princess
Caroline obtained a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights condemning the publication
of private photos. (regal music) Perhaps Princess Caroline's
move to protect her privacy was inspired by the experience of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who sparked a passion so
powerful within the media that they literally hounded her to death. After the media circus that accompanied her
separation and divorce from Prince Charles in 1996, she aired her grief about the intensity of the press's obsession. - When I started my
public life 12 years ago, I understood the media might
be interested in what I did. I realized then their attention
would inevitably focus on both our private and public lives. But I was not aware of how overwhelming that attention would become. - [Narrator] No doubt she
couldn't quite comprehend how such a shy and
unremarkable young woman had managed to ignite a global obsession with her every move. Certainly she did not
possess the film style looks and poise of a Monaco princess, nor could she dazzle with
the accomplishment and wit at the disposal of Princess Margaret. In fact, she often joked
about her lack of aptitude at Riddlesworth Hall School. Although by all accounts,
she was very happy there. - I made many friends, who I often see. And in spite of what Ms. Fudge and my other teachers may
have thought at the time, I did actually learn something. (audience laughs) Though, you would never have
known by my own level results. (audience laughs) - [Narrator] Indeed, it may well have been Princess Diana's very lack of
extraordinary recommendations that made her so accessible
to the people in the street, who quickly crowned her
their Queen of Hearts. The love affair with the people's princess began back in 1980, when she was plain old Lady Diana Spencer, a 19-year-old nanny sharing
a flat with friends in London who just happened to be dating
the future king of England. - There's any possibility. - [Narrator] Her relationship
with the overzealous press got off to a tentative start with a shy smile and a nervous wave. - How well are you coping
with all the press attention? - Well, as y- you can see,
you can tell. (chuckles) - [Press] Are you bearing up
with it quite well, though, 'cause it must be quite a
strain with all of us after you. - Well, it is naturally. - [Press] You, you're
coping all right, though. You seem to be doing very well. - Uh, I'm still around. (chuckles) - [Narrator] And she had
no intention of going away. In February 1981, Buckingham Palace announced
Diana's engagement to Charles and a happy couple embraced
photo opportunities to show off the walnut-sized £30,000 ring, consisting of 14 diamonds and a sapphire. Charles recalled his first impressions on meeting the 16-year-old Diana. - I remember thinking what
a very jolly and amusing and attractive 16-year-old she was. And I mean, great fun and bouncy and full of
life and everything. And, um... I didn't know what you thought of me. - Pretty amazing. (laughs) - [Narrator] But during the lead up to their wedding in July, it became clear that the
down-to-earth and disarming Diana had already eclipsed her royal fiance in the public consciousness. - [Crowd] We want Di! We want Di! (crowd cheering) - [Narrator] Her fresh-faced
sincerity and sense of fun were overdue antidotes to
the guarded, stiff upper lips of the monarchy. On the day of the royal wedding, people were chanting
her name in the streets. The nation was given the day,
and crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of
the fairy tale bride. (regal trumpet music) (solemn organ music) Resplendent in her Emanuel gown, complete with 25-foot train, the brand new princess emerged
from St. Paul's Cathedral to the cheers of thousands of fans, totally smitten with her
naive charm and cheeky smile. - Princess Diana!
- Over the next few months, she consolidated her
relationship with the public, both at home and overseas. On walkabouts with Charles, she was always a huge hit with the crowds. (crowd cheering) (elegant music)
(cameras clicking) And in less than a year, she'd done her duty to the royal family by presenting it with a
healthy heir to the throne. (baby crying) In her obvious affinity with children, the public found yet
another reason to adore her. Then there was her courageous compassion. In 1987, when AIDS patients were being demonized by the press, Diana was holding their hands. - HIV does not make
people dangerous to know, so you can shake their
hands and give them a hug. Heaven knows they need it. - [Narrator] Along with
all the media proof of her tireless dedication to
good causes and charity work came stories that she also
visited the sick in secret, begging nurses and patients
not to let on to the press. With public opinion on her side, she went on to win even more hearts, as reports emerged that Charles
was carrying on an affair with his old sweetheart
Camilla Parker Bowles. While there were also plenty of stories of Diana's alleged infidelities, many magazines and
tabloids chose to contend that she was merely
acting out of loneliness. This line was bolstered by stories about her battles with bulimia and multiple suicide attempts. She was being stalked by telephoto lenses and media speculation. In an attempt to redress the balance, she approached biographer Andrew Morton to tell her side of the story, depicting Charles as a neglectful
and unfaithful husband. After that, it was only a few short months and the odd, awkward public appearance before Prime Minister John Major
announced their separation. Even under the intense
glare of the spotlight, she continued to use her public profile to raise awareness of issues that had been swept under the carpet by polite society for years. And she wasn't afraid to speak from her own agonizing experience. - I have it, on very good authority, that the quest for perfection
our society demands can leave the individual gasping
for breath at every turn. This pressure inevitably
extends into the way we look. Eating disorders, whether
it be anorexia or bulimia, show how an individual can turn
the nourishment of the body into a painful attack on themselves. - [Narrator] Despite
her pleas for privacy, the media's obsession with her continued, as did her own obsession with body image. Her increasingly frequent trips to the gym were always accompanied by
a gaggle of photographers, desperate to add fuel to
one of the many rumors making the rounds about her private life. After her separation, the press had her linked with every man she came into contact with, from rugby captain Will
Carling and singer Bryan Adams to Juan Carlos I of Spain
and John F. Kennedy Jr. And while she may have cut
down on her public engagements, she certainly didn't abandon those causes that had always been close to her heart. In January 1997, these pictures of her visiting
a landmine site in Angola were flashed around the world, bringing much needed publicity to the issue of unexploded landmines in war-torn territories. Seven months later, she
went on another visit to meet landmine survivors in Bosnia. For one last time, she managed to turn the
relentless media pressure into a positive. (landmine explodes) Just days after the Bosnian trip, she laid dying in a dark tunnel in Paris, surrounded by the rapid fire
click of automatic cameras that had punctuated
almost every waking moment of her adult life. Torn from her adoring
public in the prime of life, she was guaranteed to continue her reign as the undisputed Queen of Hearts. (regal music) Another top contender for
the Queen of Heart's title is Denmark's Crown Princess Mary, the photogenic wife of the
heir to the Danish throne and mother to Prince Christian
and Princess Isabella, has helped promote the
profile of Denmark's royals, which in turn has boosted tourism in the country's capital of Copenhagen. While she may not quite fit
the mold of a Cinderella, Mary's rise from simple
Australian country girl to beautiful crown princess does indeed read like a fairy tale. And since marrying her handsome prince and moving into the Fredensborg Palace, she has become the idol
of every young girl who dreams of becoming a princess. She began life as plain old Mary Donaldson in the former penal colony of Hobart, on the island of Tasmania in 1973. She grew up loving the outdoor
life and riding horses. Upon graduating from university, she began a career in
advertising in Melbourne. But after her mother died in 1997, she left her job to travel
before settling down in Sydney, where she became a real estate agent. She and Prince Frederik
first bumped into each other at a bar called the Slip Inn during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Out socializing with
separate groups of friends, they got talking. And without knowing exactly who he was, Mary slipped him her phone
number and so began the romance. Their long distance
courtship continued secretly, until Mary moved to Denmark in 2002 and began taking lessons
in Danish language, history, and etiquette. Finally, the Danish court announced that Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe intended to give her
consent to the marriage. And in October 2003, they
became officially engaged. Australia was overjoyed at the prospect of having
its very own princess and the people of Denmark
warmed to her charm and beauty immediately. In fact, a poll found that 75% of Danes believed that she would make a good queen, and the couple looked truly in love. (upbeat bright music) Mary's last evening as a commoner was marked with a grand gala that drew royal guests
from around the world and helped prepare her for the onslaught of official engagements that
awaited her as a princess. Braving a chilly Scandinavian wind, the star of the show was
the radiant bride-to-be, elegantly dressed in a low-cut red gown. If she was nervous about the
day to come, it didn't show, as she smiled and waved to the crowds. That grace and composure carried her through
the much hyped wedding, with the eyes of the world upon her. In fact, while she stayed
calm and collected, it was Frederik who seemed overwhelmed by the emotion of the day,
as he wiped away a tear. (upbeat bright music) (people speaking in foreign language) The sensitive prince was
just as demonstrative as he excitedly greeted the media after the birth of the
couple's son and heir in October 2005. - Of course it's tremendous joy, sort of a warm (background
noise drowns out speaker) of, of warmth and love and, I'm just sort of trying to realize (background noise drowns out speaker). - [Narrator] A few days later, the new Prince Christian made
his first public appearance in the arms of his mother,
who practiced her Danish. (interviewer speaking in foreign language) - I'm feeling absolutely wonderful. - [Narrator] Two years later, Christian was joined by a baby's sister, Isabella Henrietta. Becoming fluent in the Danish language has allowed the princess
to involve herself in a raft of local charitable ventures. She's been a leading light in the campaign to improve disadvantaged
migrant areas of Copenhagen as well as becoming
involved in a new campaign to raise awareness about skin cancer through the Danish Cancer Society. It's also no surprise to learn that the impeccably dressed Princess Mary is an active patron of Denmark's third highest-earning
export, the fashion industry. One of the perks of that plum role is a guaranteed front-row seat at all the local fashion events. No doubt it also helps her keep up with the pressure of putting together the perfect haute couture outfit for that next red carpet event. (audience applauds) (regal music) Over in Spain, Princess Letizia has also become a major style icon. Like Princess Mary of Denmark, the former news reader had
no aristocratic connections before marrying into the
royal Asturias family. She was born Letizia Ortiz
in Oviedo, Spain in 1972, the daughter of a journalist
and a registered nurse. After completing a bachelor's degree, she followed her father
into the newspaper business and worked her way into television to become the anchorwoman of the most viewed newscast in Spain. Having become a celebrity
in her own right, there was no need to win over the public as Prince Felipe's intended bride. Still the announcement of their engagement came as quite a shock
to the Spanish people, who've been completely
blindsided by the royal romance. (speaking in foreign language) - I understand that it must be
a big surprise for everyone. (speaking in foreign language) But it hasn't been a quick decision. It's been based on the great love that we feel for each other. - [Narrator] However,
there was still the matter of Letizia's previous marriage to her high school literature
teacher to contend with. Thankfully, the Roman Catholic
Church found a loophole to allow the marriage. But two months after
their official engagement came the claim by Cuban
artist Waldo Saavedra that the artwork on a new
album by Spanish singer Mana was a nude study of the
future Spanish crown princess. Scandal was averted when he clarified that Letizia had not posed nude, but had simply given him
a photograph of herself in which she was fully clothed and that he'd used his
imagination to paint her naked. And on the 22nd of May 2004, the cathedral in Madrid became a mecca for royal guests and
dignitaries the world over, as a nervous Prince Felipe awaited the arrival of his stunning bride. The pouring rain did nothing
to dampen the enthusiasm of the waiting crowd. Letizia began the daunting
walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. The picture-perfect couple's moving vows were broadcast to the nation and witnessed on huge screens
outside the cathedral. (priest speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) (Felipe speaking in foreign language) As the ceremony ended, cheers
rang out in the square. (crowd applauds) Since then Princess Letizia
has been featured heavily in the glossy magazines of Europe and is frequently praised
by fashion critics for her impeccable taste in clothes. She also has her own fan club with websites dedicated to
gathering photos and updates on the queen of Spanish style. Her waif-like figure and chiseled cheeks have led to speculation that she may have an eating disorder. But despite her fragile frame, she has given birth to
two healthy daughters, Leonor and Sofia. And although the current
Spanish law of succession would hand a potential
younger brother the throne over his older sisters, it is possible that the
law could be changed to make Leonor the heir apparent. (regal music) Meanwhile in Japan, another young princess has recently been at the
center of succession debate. Princess Aiko was born
on December 1st, 2001. She's the first child of
their imperial highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito, heir
apparent to the Japanese throne, and Crown Princess Masako. Before little Aiko was born, there was much concern
among the Japanese people about the health and state
of mind of Princess Masako, who had become something of a recluse since marrying the prince in 1993. So, when the announcement came in 2000 that the princess was pregnant,
the people were overjoyed. However, the birth of a baby girl instantly rekindled the debate about the controversial succession law, which is recently as 1946 was changed to restrict the throne to men. Ironically, not long after
the former prime minister pledged to submit a bill to parliament to let women ascend the throne, Aiko's aunt Kiko gave birth
to a baby boy, Hisahito. With a male heir apparent on the scene, plans to change the succession
law were temporarily shelved. (regal music) One European crown that is assured of being
inherited by a female is that of the Netherlands, where three princesses stand
directly in line to the throne. Catharina-Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane are the three beautiful daughters of heir apparent Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. Maxima was born in Argentina in 1971. And after graduating with
an economics degree in 1995, started a career in investment banking. She met Willem-Alexander
four years later in Spain during the civil fair. But as he introduced
himself only as Alexander, she had no idea he was actually a prince. When he broke the news to her later, Maxima was convinced he was joking. Still she agreed to meet him
in New York two weeks later. The romance blossomed and
they were engaged in 2001. Throughout January 2002,
Amsterdam was a buzz with activity in preparation for the royal nuptials. - It is big event and big operation. We used 6,000 police
officers in that period. The operation costs a
lot of money, €5 million. So it's a lot of money. And it's first thing, it's safety first. - [Narrator] Despite some controversy caused by the fact that Maxima's father had served under the regime of former Argentine President
Jorge Rafael Videla, a military dictator who
had been responsible for many atrocities during the 1970s, the mood in the Dutch capital was one of great
anticipation and excitement. Since the wedding, Princess Maxima has endeared
herself to her new country by becoming fluent in Dutch and giving birth to three
heirs to the throne. (regal music) Another country that has guaranteed the accession of a
female monarch is Sweden. Thanks to the change made in 1979 to the country's Act of Succession, Sweden became the first
country in the world to adopt equal primogeniture, ensuring that the throne is inherited by the ruler's eldest
child regardless of gender. Now in her early 30s, Princess Victoria's
unorthodox preparations have included undergoing
basic military training at a base outside Stockholm. Sporting combat fatigues,
camouflaged face paint, and full battle gear, the future queen was asked by reporters whether she found the training tough. - It depends what you mean
with tough, of course. But for me, it was, uh, it has
been very good in that sense, that I've learned a lot. Yes, it has been tough in the sense that you don't
sleep as much as usually. But, uh, yes, of course
you carry heavy stuff, but it has been extremely interesting. I learned a lot. Um, the exercises has also
been really very well-prepared, I must say. So, it really gives you
sort of the right idea what it's all about and
sort of right impression. Uh, of course you, you're doing something that you're not used to. - [Narrator] More used to designer outfits and formal suits than battle dress, she was happy to muck in
with 40 other men and women to learn combat and marksman skills as well as practicing first
aid and chemical warfare safety to get an understanding of the
role played by Swedish forces in international peacekeeping assignments. (regal music) As Princess Victoria
continues her preparations to assume the role of queen of Sweden, Britain's Princess Beatrice
can relax in the knowledge that she's unlikely ever to be called upon to assume such responsibility. With four male heirs before her, she is fifth in line to the throne. Princess Beatrice is the
daughter of Queen Elizabeth's second son, Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, who divorced in 1996 when Beatrice was 8 and her younger sister Eugenie
was just six years old. In spite of the worldwide publicity stirred up by the divorce,
her parents have remained on the best of terms as co-parents and Beatrice has grown up
relatively free of intrusion from the press. (laughs) However, on the eve of her 18th birthday, she declared that she was ready to start following in her mother's footsteps and using her privilege to
help those less fortunate. And while she may have
been a little nervous ahead of meeting patients as she accompanied her mom on
a visit to a London hospital, she understood that the
prospect of shaking hands with a princess was
probably just as daunting for the patients. - Maybe before they meet me
they might have been scared, but once, once they find out
that I'm really just a normal, just, just-
- [Princess Sarah] Normal? - Okay, no, no, I'm so not normal. But once they, once they find out that I'm just me, then
it should make it easier. - [Narrator] And Beatrice
was quick to credit her mom with being a great role model. - I see myself as a mini mommy. I kind of have this sort of
image to anything you can do, I want to do better. She's the best advice-giver I could ever, I could possibly ever wish for. And she's a, sort of, she leads by, she leads by example really. And her, and her behavior kind of is one that I really would like to follow. - [Narrator] However,
the princess's enthusiasm is not shared by everyone. Just one year earlier, some
sources close to the queen were questioning her mother's
advice-giving talents. When Beatrice appeared on
the cover of Tatler magazine, the sultry photos raised a
few eyebrows in royal circles and signaled Beatrice's
intentions to take on public life as a confident 17-year-old. - Well, I think the pictures
are a bit unfortunate. Buckingham Palace have spent years keeping the girls away
from the media radar, and they succeeded. But now that Beatrice has turned over 16, she turned 17 on Monday,
she's out of their hands and there's not a lot
they can do about it. And this really came probably as a result of parental agreement, no prizes
for guessing which parent. - [Narrator] In fact, her mum not only sanctioned the article, she sat in on the photo
shoot and interview in which Beatrice revealed
that the divorce of her parents had actually brought the
family closer together. The young princess also
admitted that she was very lucky and wouldn't trade her
life for anyone else's. Beatrice and her sister Eugenie belong to a new breed of princess. Combining the advantages
of royal privilege with the freedom of a normal life, they look set to enjoy
the best of both worlds. (regal music) While in royal families around the world, other young women are preparing to ascend to positions of power formally
preserved for their brothers. And although the stories of their lives may not read like classic fairy tales, these very modern princesses are still setting their sights
on that happy ever after. (regal music)
