Ever since Walt Disney Studios' first feature film Snow White And The Seven Dwarves in 1937, certain tropes have been found throughout the company's releases, the most prominent being that princes will always be on hand to save the day. It took decades for Disney to feature prominent female protagonists that didn't need rescuing by their romantic partners, and formerly problematic Disney princesses began to take an equal part in their own saving.
Many Disney princes don't appear to do anything outwardly malicious in their melodramatic displays of heroism and chivalry, but they aren't given a pass simply because of the era in which they were created. Many of them exhibit selfish, entitled, and disturbing traits that bear some examining.
Prince Eric Reinforcing The Patriarchy
Prince Eric's faults lie in his bolstering Ariel's complete willingness to throw her life away to be with him. Never once does the thought enter Eric's beautiful head to encourage her to make her own choices for herself. He obsesses over her because he thinks she's beautiful, and objectifies her as a mute simpleton who worships him without being challenging.
His investment in reinforcing sexist stereotypes further explains his naivety when falling for Ursula's trap, as she poses as Vanessa and persuades him to marry her and forget about Ariel. Eric's villainy comes from being privileged and clueless, never questioning why everything about the plot of The Little Mermaid is in service to him.
Prince Phillip Taking Advantage Of Sleeping Beauty
While revisionist films like Disney's live-action Maleficent have helped to correct some of the more disturbing narratives inherent to their fairytale-based animated films, to take Sleeping Beauty on its own merit is to acknowledge that Prince Phillip demonstrated an alarming lack of consent with regards to his relationship with Princess Aurora.
After she pricked her finger on the spinning needle and fell into a deep sleep, Phillip broke the spell by bestowing upon her "true love's kiss". Aurora couldn't provide consent to his actions, and while they ended up saving her life, they reinforced for young impressionable viewers the notion that a man's romantic ends justify his means.
Simba Abandoning Pride Rock
Simba suffered an incredible tragedy early in life, and as a result turned his back on a kingdom that he was supposed to protect as the heir to Mufasa's throne. The loss of his father before the appropriate time of his coronation disrupted his plans for ascendancy, and he let his subjects wither under his uncle's callous rule.
When Nala challenged him to return to Pride Rock and take his place as king he refused and blew off her request. For someone who "just can't wait to be king", he reveled in the absence of responsibilities his adult life presented.
Aladdin Treating Jasmine Like A Prize To Be Won
As a "street rat", Aladdin felt he had no chance with a sophisticated woman like Jasmine, never stopping to consider that she was able to make up her own mind about his eligibility as a suitor. Even when he improved his status and wore fancier clothing with the help of the magic lamp, his attitude towards her remained the same, so when she questioned him about his identity, he felt the need to lie to her.
His total disregard for her feelings in the matter of her future, as well as his subterfuge, were things that she couldn't ignore. He had to eat crow, respect her enough to tell the truth, and prove to her that he wasn't completely conceited for her to even entertain his romantic advances.
Prince John Robbing The Poor And Plotting To Kill The King
There's nothing subtle about Prince John's conniving antics in Robin Hood, as he very blatantly schemed with the Sheriff of Nottingham to tax the poor beyond reason and overthrow King Richard while he was off fighting the Crusades in the Holy Land.
Robin Hood made it difficult for him to succeed in his plotting, but that didn't stop him from trying multiple times, with the citizens of Nottingham ultimately being the ones who suffered for their constant tit-for-tat.
Prince Adam Being An Insensitive Monster
Prior to his being cursed by an elderly woman and turned into a terrifying lion/bear/wolf/buffalo, The Beast was known as Prince Adam, and he was as conceited as he was beautiful. He shunned the old woman when she sought shelter at his castle during a bitter snow storm, and as a result became as ugly on the outside as he was on the inside.
Adam was just as unlikable as The Beast, and went on to treat Belle abominably, first locking her father in his dungeon and then agreeing to let her take his place. It took months for him not only to warm up to her, but treat her with respect and compassion.
Prince Hans Trying To Take Over The Kingdom
A dashing prince of the Southern Isles in the hit Disney film Frozen, Prince Hans didn't conceal his direct intent to somehow usurp Princess Anna and take over her kingdom for himself. He may have resembled what a prince should look and act like, but he proved to be nothing but a classic Disney villain.
That his manipulative and self-serving side wasn't obvious made his charm all the more destructive, and he was able to make Anna believe he was princely material, rather than just a deceiving "nice guy" with a deeply entitled streak.
Li Shang Leaving Mulan To Die
Li Shang may not have the title of "prince" in Mulan, Disney lists him as an "official Disney prince" on its website, indicating that due to the film's wild success, as well as his marriage to Mulan (recognized by the Emperor of China), he may qualify as an honorary member of Disney royalty.
Despite respecting Ping in training and in battle, once Shang learns his friend is in fact Mulan, a young woman posing as a man to prevent her father being conscripted into the Emperor's army, he leaves her wounded and alone to die on a snow covered mountain.
Prince Naveen Ruining Tiana's Life
Prince Naveen's curiosity and selfishness caused him to do a dirty deal with a nefarious witch doctor, resulting in him being turned into a frog in The Princess And The Frog. Instead of trying to discover a way to reverse the spell, he manipulates Tiana into helping him by giving him a kiss.
Not only does he romantically take advantage of her, he ruins her life by getting her turned into a frog just like him, ensuring that he can capitalize on her capacity for problem solving to help them turn into humans again.
Prince Florian Taking Liberties With Snow White
Prince Florian was drawn to Snow White when she sang to the birds on her balcony and, after knowing her a matter of minutes, was compelled to come to her rescue at the conclusion of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves and kill the Evil Queen.
For all Prince Florian knew, Snow White had died as a result of the Queen's poison apple, yet he still took the liberty to smooch her while the dwarves and animals were communing for her funeral. She happened to awaken at his kiss, but if that hadn't happened, he would have sent an even more disturbing message to young viewers.