Princess News: Downton Abbey's Lily James Cast as Cinderella; Brave's Merida to Become Disney Royalty

Fiery redhead latest character to receive such an honor as studio announces the lead for live-action version of one of its beloved classic tale

By Peter Gicas Apr 30, 2013 9:22 PMTags
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As if winning an Oscar wasn't enough.

Disney has announced that Merida, the lead character from the Academy Award-winning animated film Brave, will soon become the 11th Disney Princess.

A royal coronation is set to take place at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on May 11, Inside the Magic reports.

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

The fiery redhead will be in good company when she joins existing princesses Snow White, Mulan, Aurora, Belle, Tiana, Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Rapunzel and Cinderella.

Speaking of Cinderella, Disney also revealed on Tuesday that Downton Abbey actress Lily James has been cast as the beloved character in the studio's upcoming live-action interpretation of the classic tale.

The film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh and will also star Cate Blanchett as the iconic evil stepmother.