Ever tried to find a "Prince of Ariel" in the original 1989 Disney classic? You won't. If you’re scouring the credits for a character with that specific royal title, you're going to end up pretty frustrated because, strictly speaking, the title doesn't exist in the way most people think. We all know Prince Eric. He’s the guy with the flute, the massive dog, and the questionable ability to recognize a woman's face without hearing her voice. But the phrase "Prince of Ariel" has become this weird, viral bit of internet shorthand that confuses casual viewers and hardcore lore-hunters alike.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess.
When people search for the Prince of Ariel, they are usually looking for one of three things: details on Prince Eric, information about Ariel's father King Triton (the actual ruler of the seas), or—and this is where it gets nerdy—the non-canonical or spin-off characters that appear in the various sequels and prequels.
Let's get one thing straight. Ariel is the Princess of Atlantica. Eric is a human prince of an unnamed seafaring kingdom. There is no "Prince of Ariel" in the sense of a royal title granted by marriage in the original script. But the way fans discuss the movie has evolved. We've seen a massive surge in interest regarding the "royal" side of Disney's underwater world, especially with the 2023 live-action remake starring Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King. That movie actually gave us a lot more context about Eric’s role, but it still didn't make him a "Prince of Ariel."
The Eric Enigma: Why He Isn't Just "Ariel's Husband"
Eric is often dismissed as a "cardboard cutout" prince. In the original 1989 film, his personality is basically "likes boats" and "has a nice jawline." But if you look at the actual production notes from Ron Clements and John Musker, Eric was intended to be a foil to Ariel’s curiosity. He wasn't just a prize; he was a guy who felt out of place in his own royal duties.
He’s a prince of a kingdom that seems to rely heavily on trade. You’ve probably noticed the Mediterranean-meets-Northern-European aesthetic of his castle. It’s perched on a cliff, almost reaching into the sea. This isn't accidental. It symbolizes his connection to Ariel's world before they even meet. He’s a "Prince of the Sea" in spirit long before he’s the Prince of Ariel in the eyes of the fans.
Interestingly, the 2023 remake changed his backstory significantly. In that version, Eric is adopted. This adds a layer of "outsider" status that mirrors Ariel’s own feelings of not belonging. He’s a prince by title, but a sailor by choice. When people use the term "Prince of Ariel" now, they’re often subconsciously acknowledging this deep, spiritual bond where the two characters are basically two sides of the same coin.
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King Triton and the "Prince" Misconception
Sometimes, the "Prince of Ariel" search leads people to her father. It’s a bit of a linguistic slip-up. King Triton is the absolute monarch of Atlantica. According to the 1990s animated series—which, by the way, is a treasure trove of weird lore—Triton’s kingdom is vast.
Did you know Ariel has six sisters?
- Attina
- Alana
- Adella
- Aquata
- Arista
- Andrina
They are all princesses. But where are the princes? In the Disney canon, Triton is the only male royal we see for a long time. There is no "Prince of Ariel" among her siblings. This lack of male heirs in the immediate family is actually a plot point in some of the extended universe books. It makes Ariel’s eventual departure to the surface world even more of a blow to the succession of the throne.
The Real-World Origins of the Name Ariel
To understand why "Prince of Ariel" sounds so catchy but feels so wrong, we have to look at where the name Ariel comes from. Hans Christian Andersen didn't name her Ariel. In the original 1837 fairy tale, she is simply "The Little Mermaid."
Disney chose the name Ariel. It has Hebrew roots meaning "Lion of God." In Shakespeare's The Tempest, Ariel is an air spirit. It’s a gender-neutral name, and in many historical contexts, you could find a Prince Ariel in literature or history, but they have nothing to do with red hair or singing crabs.
The name has a sort of celestial weight to it. Maybe that’s why people attach the title "Prince" to it so easily. It sounds like it should be a title. But in the context of the Disney franchise, it’s purely a feminine identifier for the youngest daughter of Triton.
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What Happened in the Sequels?
If we look at The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, we get a glimpse of what life looks like after the "happily ever after." Eric is still the prince (now presumably King, though the movie is vague on his official coronation). They have a daughter, Melody.
There is a segment of the fandom that writes "Prince of Ariel" fanfiction, imagining a son for the couple. In these non-canonical stories, a "Prince of Ariel" would be a half-human, half-merfolk heir who bridges the two worlds. While this is popular on sites like Archive of Our Own (AO3) or Wattpad, it is not Disney's official stance. Disney has been very careful about keeping the lineage focused on Melody in the animated world.
The Cultural Impact of the "Prince" Archetype
Why does this matter? Because the way we label characters reflects how we view their agency. Calling Eric the Prince of Ariel shifts the power dynamic. In the 50s and 60s, the princess was often "The Prince's Wife." Now, the internet has flipped it. He is defined by his relationship to her.
It’s a fascinating linguistic shift.
Think about the merchandise. If you go to a Disney Store, you’ll find "Ariel and Prince Eric" sets. You rarely see him sold solo. He is an accessory to her brand. In the world of high-stakes toy sales, he basically is the Prince of Ariel. He exists to be the partner in her playset.
Common Misconceptions: Clearing the Water
- Is Eric a King? By the time of the sequel, he’s effectively the ruler, but he’s almost always marketed as "Prince Eric."
- Does Ariel have a brother? Not in any official Disney movie or show. She is one of seven daughters.
- Is there a "Prince of Ariel" in the live-action movie? No, the 2023 film sticks to the "Prince Eric" naming convention, though it gives him the surname "Fitzherbert"—wait, no, that’s Flynn Rider. Eric doesn't actually have a confirmed last name in the original, though some tie-in media suggests "Windermere."
The Science of Mer-Kingdoms (Sorta)
If we were to look at this through a historical lens, a "Prince of Ariel" would be a consort. In royal traditions, if a Queen regnant (like Ariel could have been if she stayed) marries a man of lower or equal rank, he becomes a Prince Consort.
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Since Ariel left her kingdom to join Eric’s, she actually became a Princess Consort of his kingdom. She traded her underwater crown for a terrestrial one. It’s a total lateral move in terms of social standing, but a massive shift in environment.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking for information or products related to this topic, don't get tripped up by the terminology.
- Searching for Merch: Use the term "Prince Eric" if you want accurate results. Searching for "Prince of Ariel" will often lead you to low-quality knockoffs or unrelated fantasy art.
- Lore Accuracy: If you're writing a paper or a deep-dive blog post, specify that Eric is the Prince of a coastal kingdom, not the "Prince of Ariel." It shows you actually know the source material.
- The 2023 Shift: Keep in mind that the live-action movie is now the primary reference for many younger fans. In that version, the relationship is more of a partnership of explorers. The "Prince" title is secondary to his identity as a navigator.
- The "Lost" Characters: Check out the 1992 TV series if you want to see characters like Prince Thor (an actual merman prince) who interact with Ariel. That's the closest you'll get to a "Prince" in her world.
The character we associate with the title Prince of Ariel—Prince Eric—remains one of the most enduring figures in animation. Whether he’s fighting a giant Ursula or just trying to figure out how a fork (dinglehopper) works, his role is to be the bridge between two worlds. He might not officially hold the title people search for, but in the hearts of fans, he's exactly who they're looking for.
Next time you're watching the movie, look at the background details in Eric’s castle. You'll see maps, globes, and artifacts that suggest he was searching for "Ariel's world" long before he knew she existed. He wasn't looking for a wife; he was looking for a miracle. And that's what makes him more than just a prince. He’s the guy who proved that the "Prince of Ariel" isn't a title you're born with—it's a role you earn by being willing to jump into the ocean for someone you love.
Basically, labels don't matter as much as the story itself. Eric is Eric. Ariel is Ariel. And the "Prince of Ariel" is just a ghost in the search bar, a reminder of how much we love these characters decades later.