Princess Pocahontas

While Pocahontas was later deemed the Princess of Jamestown, the American Princess and a Disney princess, the woman was also an actual princess among her native people. The daughter of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas sat next to her father and could have been influential in some of his decisions, possibly a reason why the famous story of her saving Captain John Smith seems viable. While Pocahontas was by definition a princess, her mother was not a queen and her future did not include taking over her father’s kingdom.  Pocahontas’s mother would have been both a commoner and unknown to the child. As per custom, the paramount chief could have many wives who would give him one child and then go back to her family. Additionally, Pocahontas was not in line to acquire any of her father’s kingdom. Instead, Powhatan’s brothers, sisters and sister’s children were in line to succeed him. Aside from Pocahontas being one of her father’s favorites, the woman did not have much power in the tribe’s politics. Today, she is remembered not only as a princess, but as a pioneer and hero.