Real-life Princes and Princesses living the fairytale at Disney – best photos


The only headgear royals have to worry about is a pair of Mickey ears


Royals at Disney
Alexandra Hurtado
Alexandra HurtadoUS Royal News Correspondent - New York
Updated: 4 minutes ago
Share this:

Being royal might seem fairytale enough, but even real-life royalty can't resist Disney magic. Over the years, Disney theme parks around the world have welcomed royal visitors among their guests—a reminder that it's indeed a small world after all

Princess Diana famously visited Walt Disney World with her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in the early 1990s. The Duke of Sussex has since gone on to create magical memories at Disneyland Resort with his own kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet

"To see the kids throw themselves into these experiences when they have no idea what they're walking into, it was amazing," Harry said in ABC's 2025 special The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland, adding, "It brings out the kid in you again."

But the British royals aren’t the only ones to trade palaces and protocol for a bit of pixie dust. Queen Sofia of Spain (then Princess Sofia of Greece), Monaco's Prince Albert, Sweden's Queen Silvia, and others have all experienced the magic firsthand. Whether young or young at heart, Disney is for everyone... and these royals below prove just that.

Sussexes at Disneyland

The day after Mother's Day 2026, Meghan Markle shared photos from a trip to Disneyland Resort. In one snapshot, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex strolled hand-in-hand with their children at Disney California Adventure Park.

Meghan Markle and mom Doria© Instagram/Meghan

Meghan's mother Doria Ragland accompanied the Sussexes on their 2026 visit. The Duchess has previously said that while being able to go to Disneyland is "more accessible" for her as a "Southern California girl," it's "still the biggest treat in the world."

Meghan and Kids© Instagram/Meghan

Archie seemed shy as he hid behind a column, while his little sister met Disney Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

Prince Harry, Meghan and their children at Disneyland© Instagram

Meghan and Harry took their kids to Disneyland Resort in 2025 to celebrate their daughter Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday. Alongside a video from the family trip, the Duchess wrote: "Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!"  

Meghan Markle shares beautiful family moments© Instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reflected on their family's 2025 visit to the happiest place on earth in ABC's The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland.

"I could imagine myself working there," Harry remarked during the special. Meghan then added, "You know, life is full of surprises."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie at Disneyland© Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex

In the same special, Meghan (pictured with Archie and Harry on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance) said, "I think for us to be able to have our own childhood memories and then watch that play out through our daughter’s birthday and Archie said, ‘When’s my birthday?'"

Media Image© Jacques Langevin/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

Prince Harry visited the most magical place on earth decades earlier on the east coast with his mother, Princess Diana, and big brother, Prince William. In a 2016 interview with Good Morning America, Harry recalled his 1993 trip to Disney World with his late mom, admitting: "It's one of my very, very happy memories."

Media Image© PA Images via Getty Images

Prince William pictured on Splash Mountain, which has since been rethemed to Tiana's Bayou Adventure, at the Magic Kingdom in 1993. During that trip to Walt Disney World, he, Diana and Harry visited Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, where William participated in the fan-favorite dinner show.

The Princess' bodyguard Ken Wharfe revealed in the 2021 ABC special The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World that William and Harry thought Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was "fantastic." Back at their hotel, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wharfe remembered Diana telling him, "This was a magical evening."


Diana, Princess of Wales (2nd R), and family friends Catherine Soames (L) and Kate Menzies (C) leave the Jim Henson Muppets Pavilion 25 August 1993 during a visit to MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. Prince William is far right, and security personnel in the background are unidentified. (Photo by Bob PEARSON / AFP via Getty Images) © AFP via Getty Images

Magic Kingdom wasn't the only Walt Disney World theme park to welcome Diana and her boys. While in Florida, the Princess also visited MGM Studios, now called Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Media Image© PA Images via Getty Images

Princess Eugenie celebrated her 11th birthday at Disneyland Paris with her mom Sarah Ferguson and sister Princess Beatrice in 2001.

Sarah also visited Eurodisney with her kids in 1997.© THIERRY ORBAN/Sygma via Getty Images

Sarah also visited Euro Disney with her kids in 1997.

Media Image© Sylvain Beche/Disney - Handout/Getty Images

Prince Albert of Monaco and his twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, struck a pose with Minnie and Mickey Mouse in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2022. During their trip to Disneyland Paris, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary that year, the royals stayed at Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel.

Media Image© Sjöberg BildbyrÃ¥/ullstein bild v

Minnie and Mickey waved alongside Sweden's Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf during the royal couple's visit to Walt Disney World in 1988.

Media Image© Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor met Mickey when he paid a visit to Disney World in January 1980.

Media Image© Bettmann Archive

Actress and Mouseketeer Annette Funicello greeted Spain's Queen Sofia, then-Princess Sophia of Greece, at Disneyland Park in 1958, while her mother Queen Frederika had another engagement. 

Media Image© Bettmann Archive

Not one, but three Scandinavian Princesses visited the happiest place on earth in 1960. Princess Astrid of Norway, Princess Margaretha of Sweden, and then-Princess Margrethe, later the Queen of Denmark, enjoyed a day at Disneyland together.

Media Image© Bettmann Archive

The trio, still sporting their hats, took a spin on a classic Disney attraction, the teacups. 

Media Image© Getty Images

Hussein bin Talal, the father of King Abdullah II of Jordan, and his daughter Abir visited Disney World in 1977.

, Crown Prince Naruhito (R), Crown Princess Masako (3rd R) and their daughter Princess Aiko (2nd R), are welcomed by Disney charactors upon arrival at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, suburban of Tokyo, 13 March 2006. Four-year-old Japanese Princess Aiko, the only child of the crown prince, toured Tokyo Disneyland, with her parents hoping to give her some trappings of a normal childhood.  AFP PHOTO/Kazuhiro NOGI/POOL (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko were welcomed by Disney characters upon their arrival to Tokyo DisneySea in March 2006.  

Media Image© Bettmann Archive

At Disneyland in 1957, King Mohammed V of Morocco went for a ride on the Storybook Land Canal Boats with Walt Disney himself.

Want even more exclusive royal content, unrivalled expert insight, instant digital access to HELLO!’s weekly issues and our full archive, as well as discounts to our in-house events? Sign up to HELLO! VIP for just £4.25 a month.

More Royalty
See more