Identity
As a high school freshman, the protagonist embodies the typical teenage girl dealing with identity issues that come with adolescence. Mia Thermopolis has insecurities about her appearance, personality, and academic performance which affect her sense of belonging. As such she expresses herself through her diary entries that reveal more about her inner feelings including her attraction to the popular senior Josh Richter. Coupled with the embarrassment of her mother dating her algebra teacher, Mia has to contend with her newfound royalty status. Not only is she struggling to be a normal teenager she also has to embrace the new title and responsibilities of the principality.
Family and Royalty
The narrative starts with an ordinary American family until it is revealed that Mia is the crown princess of Genovia – next in line after her father. While Mia is already coping with the dynamics of her mother’s romantic relationship she is thrown into the politics of her paternal side of the family. Her grandmother is also not the most pleasant individual hence they instantly rub each other the wrong way. Through the princess training, the idea of family and duty becomes a big part of her new life. Although she cares for the environment and feminism, Mia now has to learn to assume more responsibilities as the crown princess.
Friendship
The novel explores female friendships between teenage girls as they navigate the uncertainties and identity crises of that age bracket. She has a genuine bond with the activist friend Lilly however Mia’s new role as a princess jeopardizes their friendship. In fact, they are in nonspeaking terms for most of the narrative pushing Mia into the uncharted territory of fickle friendships. It thus allows her to have a rapport with Tina as both share the same predicament of having a high-profile parent and lacking privacy. Moreover, the rise to stardom sees Mia’s nemesis Lana try to form a fake friendship to enhance her own popularity. With this in mind, she values her friendship with Lilly even more and restores their friendship towards the end of the story.
