Since the Princess of the Month is Belle, I figured why not start with Belle's favorite princess list. You can read my old ranking link.

I had an especially rough time placing Jasmine, Tiana, and Aurora. Eventually I went with what I have here. :)

10. Merida

Unfortunately Merida seems to take up a semi-permanent residence in last place for a lot of these princess lists, not unlike her condemnation on fanpop. Belle would have a strong distaste for Merida. Belle is a proud, dignified individual who cares about how she presents herself and Merida would seem callous and sloppy to Belle. Merida is not tactful nor polite in her speech and I think Belle would find this crass. Merida is also often at odds with her mother, and I think Belle would dislike their constant fighting considering how swimmingly Belle gets along with her dad and her mother's absence. Their values are at odds; Belle sacrificed her freedom for her father, and Merida literally fed her mother a cursed cake so she didn't have to give up her freedom.

9. Pocahontas

On my old article I had Pocahontas last and I still don't see anything Belle would really like about Pocahontas. I honestly think she would find Pocahontas foolish, and frankly sort of...stupid. Belle values duty to her father/family above all personal desires. Pocahontas is often seen frolicking through the forest and shirking responsibilities until her father forces her to face reality. I think Belle would really hate John Smith and find Pocahontas' attraction to him shallow and vapid. John Smith carries a gun and has murdered other people; this may remind Belle of the hunting-obsessed Gaston. Belle is sensible and balanced and wouldn't really care about Pocahontas' relationship with nature, the spirits, or "Colors of the Wind"; I think she would find Pocahontas' sneaking off behind her tribe's back to meet up with John dangerous and witless. Pocahontas grand saving of John was only guided by the compass; Pocahontas didn't come to that conclusion on her own. I don't think Belle would care for Pocahontas' indecisiveness and heavily reliance on ~mystical~ items and dreams to make her decisions. The one thing she may relate to about Pocahontas is the pressure to lead a stable and ordered life. Belle sort of gets flack for being an outcast because she doesn't have the same desires as a typical woman of her town, and Pocahontas similarly.

8. Ariel

She would really understand Ariel's longing to be somewhere else, and connect especially I think to Ariel's appetite for collecting human paraphernalia, because it's akin to Belle's obsession with books. There would definitely be a link there. However, the terms on which Ariel left would probably really make Belle feel sour, and especially Ariel's poor relationship with her father, since Belle seems to value duty over personal wants. She would most likely feel that Ariel was acting childish with her immature crush on Eric for what she would perceive to be purely aesthetic reasons She would also find it to be an embarrassment that Ariel forgets to attend her family's concert. Belle is more concerned about her dignity than Ariel is (at least, it's more often on the forefront of her mind).

7. Mulan

I think Belle would at least admire Mulan for taking her father's place in the army, but if she understood ancient Chinese culture, she may disapprove of the potential shame Mulan could bring to her family. I think she would really like that Mulan's strenghts are her wits and femininty, but she wouldn't really relate to Mulan's clutzy and immature nature and may find Mulan lazy and irresponsible in the beginning of the film. I do think she would appreciate that Mulan returned to her father after the war.

6. Snow White

Belle would find Snow White very sweet and cute, but otherwise have no connection to her. She would just find her pleasant to watch. She'd like that she was a classic, older princess but more see her like an adorable little sister.

5. Jasmine

Belle and Jasmine have several points of connection. Belle feels confined in her town because of not being able to make a mental connection with any of the residents. Jasmine has never left the palace and also has nebulous dreams of adventure outside the walls. Belle would admire Jasmine's tenacity when it comes to unsavoury men pursuing her for superficial reasons. Belle would also appreciate Jasmine's wittiness and how she proves herself as capable despite her limitations on multiple occasions. I think she may occasionally find Jasmine to be too brash and maybe somewhat ungrateful for her lot in life, given Belle's economic status. Belle would like that Jasmine looks past Aladdin's exterior.

4. Tiana

One attribute I think would stick out about Tiana is how Tiana thought the way she was living is the only way to accomplish her dreams and how Tiana learned that there were more things to life. I think Belle may see this reflected on herself and how she learned to open up to the Beast. Belle would love how intelligent and competent Tiana is and especially appreciate how Tiana carries on her father's legacy. Belle would be really touched by how often and how fondly Tiana speaks of her father. Of course, Belle is a bit more dreamy and amorous but Belle would like how Tiana learns to value romance along with her restaurant since Belle is good at balancing her values.

3. Aurora

I think Belle would really enjoy Aurora. Aurora is prim, proper, and distinguished but not without a sense of humor. Belle would love her grace and elegance and how kindly she treats her adoptive aunts. I think Aurora may remind Belle of a lot of the princesses she read about in her fairytale. Belle is often wrapped up in her own thoughts and oblivious to the world around her and I think she would find Aurora introspective and also prudent for enjoying her time with Phillip but still inviting him back to her cottage. Belle would like that Aurora puts responsibility to her kingdom first before Phillip and then gets rewarded in the end anyway.



2. Rapunzel

I don't think there would be one thing Belle would dislike about Rapunzel. Rapunzel is talented and shrewd, curious and longs for the thrill of adventure but remains loyal to her mother. When Rapunzel does finally first venture out, she's still plagued by guilt and insecurity on how her mother would react. Belle would appreciate that Rapunzel is tortured by abandoning Gothel because Belle would feel the same if she ever left Maurice. Rapunzel is kind and incentivizing and also indirectly teaches Flynn to bare his true self. She would adore Rapunzel's excitability and sincerity and feel roused by Rapunzel standing up to Gothel.

1. Cinderella

I can see Belle absolutely loving Cinderella. Cinderella is so loyal to her family and her father's home (big important quality for Belle) and is quite calm, demure, and kind. I think Belle and Cinderella have similar senses of humor (so subtle you almost miss it-- "don't want to interrupt the...music lesson"/ "well, some people use their imaginations") but practice kindness and understanding of others. I thinks she would love how Cinderella keeps her humanity and faith throughout all her abuse and still treats everyone around her with grace. Cinderella is also thoughtful and contemplative, but still sensible. I think Belle would be moved by how fondly Cinderella remembers her mother and cherishes the dress her mother left behind.