The iconic princesses included in the Disney canon are as accomplished as they are beautiful— independent women who often make their own choices and stand by them, come what may. However, several of these women have been given a romantic pairing by the conclusion of their narrative, implying that scoring a prince is the ultimate goal of any princess.

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At the same time, nearly every character in this role has faced one or more complicated situations which do not involve any kind of prince— or any man, for that matter— forcing them to solve the problem using their own mental, emotional, or physical strength. In fact, it is easy to imagine Disney princesses having adventures all by themselves; if only their stories would allow them to do so.

10 Belle's Actions Are Conditional On Maurice's Safety

Beauty and the Beast Disney

Maurice finds himself captured and thrown into the Beast's dungeons, for the simple crime of stepping on the latter's property. Belle goes to get her father back, offering herself in his place.

The Beast approves her conditions, even though she makes it clear that she would only fulfill them if her dad isn't harmed. In fact, Belle doesn't change her personality to suit her host/captor's moods, which initially infuriates him— but in the end, it's the very reason the Beast falls in love with Beauty.

9 Snow White Is Part Of A Happy Family In The Woods

Snow White talking to the Seven Dwarfs in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Cropped

After the Huntsman warns Snow White of her stepmother's intentions, she flees into a terrifying forest, which soon resolves itself into its cheery setting once she stops being frightened of it. She meets the Dwarves, who immediately "adopt" her, and she spends her time taking care of their home while they're off mining.

While a life of domesticity isn't the ideal feminist solution for her problems, it's possible that she could have happily lived the rest of her life with her seven compatriots if the Evil Queen hadn't shown her gnarled face through the kitchen window.

8 Moana Is Chosen By The Ocean Itself

Moana and the Ocean

Interestingly, Moana communes with the Ocean as a small child, right after she encourages a little turtle into its final home. Here, she is handed the glowing heart of Te Fiti, in the hope that she will be the one to restore it to its rightful place.

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Although her father's interruption causes her to lose the gem, her grandmother, Tala, gives it to her when she's much older, explaining the importance of the odyssey she must take. A young girl sailing a violently dangerous sea, all alone, on a raft— there is no limit to Moana's self-reliance.

7 Pocahontas Protects John Smith From Her Father

John Smith and Pocahontas lock eyes in the forest

John Smith takes the fall for Kocoum's murder (committed by his friend, Thomas), and is therefore sentenced to death by Chief Powhatan. Of course, Pocahontas is the first to recognize the danger posed by such an act and rushes to the scene of execution.

She proceeds to lecture her people about going down a bitter path, which convinces Powhatan to free Smith. Forget damsel in distress, it is the total reverse that happens in this movie.

6 Jasmine Demands The Right To Choose Her Future

Jasmine smiling at the screen while her tiger Rajah smirks

A fiercely independent princess, Jasmine acknowledges her father's fears as to the throne's succession, but is simultaneously motivated by her desire for freedom. She escapes into Agrabah, experiencing life as a commoner for a short while, which gives her a deeper understanding of her people's needs.

Even when she forgives Aladdin for pretending to be the uber-rich, dashing Prince Ali, she makes it clear that her decision to marry him is entirely dependent on her feelings. The Sultan is so moved that he changes the law in her favor.

5 Tiana Builds Her Life From The Ground Up

Princess and the frog Tiana

Tiana can be defined as a workaholic, which is totally believable considering her desire to start a restaurant of her own. She works extremely hard, not to mention how smart and adventurous she can be given the situation. It is Tiana who ends up rescuing Naveen from all sorts of dangers, whether real or supernatural.

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Neither her nor her prince gives a hoot about their amphibious states, acknowledging that their love will surmount all odds placed in their path. Luckily, they don't have to remain frogs for too long. Most importantly, Tiana gets to run "Tiana's Palace."

4 Merida Defeats Her Suitors & Wins Her Own Hand

Brave's Merida competing in an archery competition

Merida despises the charade she is forced into by Elinor, that of parading before three "eligible" suitors waiting to win her hand in marriage. She temporarily agrees with her mother's decision, but a cunning plan has already begun formulating in her mind.

When one of the men, Wee Dingwall, is startled into hitting the bull's eye (a complete fluke), Merida decides to act, displaying a sense of bravery beyond her years. Announcing that she would be "shooting for [her] own hand," she proceeds to deliver pinpoint strikes at each of the three targets, including piercing through Dingwall's arrow straight down the middle.

3 Rapunzel Practically Extorts Flynn Rider

Tangled DIsney

Aware that Mother Gothel is unlikely to ever let her out of the tower, Rapunzel tells Flynn Rider to be her guide to the world. The thief is nonplussed by her behavior, but not before he begins to flirt with her (regardless of his current condition).

Rapunzel literally blackmails Flynn, telling him that the only way he would have his stolen goods returned would be if he performs the task given to him. As much as he hates the idea, he is unable to part with his treasure— so he accepts the terms, albeit grudgingly.

2 Elsa & Ana Subvert The "Act Of True Love" Trope

Elsa And Anna Hugging From Disney's Frozen

Queen Elsa keeps her powers locked behind endless layers of insecurity and anxiety, knowing that even a minor slip-up could kill those she loves. However, when Hans cruelly informs her that any destruction caused by her accidental snowstorm is her fault, she collapses into tears.

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Fortunately, Anna blocks the prince's sword before it can kill her sister, but she is left frozen solid as a result. Immediately after, though, Anna reverts to human form, prompting Olaf to wonder if it is her "act of true love" that caused her to thaw. Hans is consequently knocked into the sea and later thrown into the brig of his own ship.

1 Fa Mulan Is Basically A Disney Prince

Disney Mulan

Fa Mulan experiences severe restrictions in terms of personal freedom, but her choice to support her family and protect her father leads her on a difficult journey, although she learns quite a few things about the world in the process.

She radiates copious amounts of self-esteem and courage, two features without which she could have never successfully impersonated a man in a society that considered women to be second-class citizens. She, in every way imaginable, shatters the limitations imposed not only on herself but on women and girls everywhere. Mulan fights, she struggles, she wins— prince or no prince.

NEXT: 10 Disney Princesses As DC Characters