The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom hasn't even come out, but it already looks set to make a major change, as Zelda can no longer be called a princess. It's a detail that many may have overlooked in the dramatic story of Breath of the Wild, but it's one that deserves mention. It's possible that this change could end up playing a factor in the sequel's story as well.

Zelda is one of the most iconic princesses in video game history, on the same level as Mario's Princess Peach. She has been an important part of the Legend of Zelda games since the series' inception, hence why her name is in the title. The Zelda games most worth replaying do a good job of establishing why she's such an integral character. Over the years her role has expanded, going from simply the princess at the end of the game to a strong ally in her own right. Breath of the Wild was one of her best showings, with her being as core to the story as Link. With how iconic Zelda is, a change to her status could be a bit of a shock.

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Zelda Should Be Hyrule's Queen In Tears Of The Kingdom

Breath of the Wild's Zelda and Mipha in Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity

In Breath of the Wild, Zelda's mother is long dead, and her father died during the Great Calamity, leaving her as the only surviving member of Hyrule's royal family. During the game's events, Zelda is much too busy trying to hold off Calamity Ganon after awakening her powers in Breath of the Wild to worry about the line of succession, and Hyrule in general is a mess that still has yet to recover from the Calamity. Now that Calamity Ganon is finally defeated, life can move on, but Zelda's royal status is something that may have to be addressed in the next game.

With both of her parents deceased, Zelda is no longer the princess of Hyrule, but the queen. She has already proven her strength and cunning thanks to Breath of the Wild, so there is no doubt that she is a qualified ruler. Not to mention, her defeating Calamity Ganon should give her plenty of support from the people. Even if Zelda wasn't Breath of the Wild's best princess, there's little doubt that she would be a competent and beloved ruler of Hyrule, especially after all of her feats in BOTW. In fact, her ascending the royal ladder could be the development that the series needs.

Breath of the Wild gave Zelda her greatest character development to date, so having her become queen in Tears of the Kingdom feels like a natural next step. The real question comes in how that will affect the status quo of the game. Zelda has always been a crucial part of the Legend of Zelda games, and she was especially vital in BOTW. If she officially takes the throne in Tears of the Kingdom, then it will be an interesting change for the series, since Zelda is rarely shown performing any sort of royal duties in the games. Since TOTK's trailers have barely revealed anything, Zelda's role isn't known yet, but it will almost certainly be substantial.

If Zelda becomes the queen of Hyrule, then it will be a well-deserved promotion for one of gaming's most iconic characters. Queen Zelda not only has a good ring to it, but it could represent the series' own advancement. Zelda may not be a princess anymore in Tears of the Kingdom, but the game's future is still looking bright.

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