Princess Treatment vs Power Exchange

by Kayla Lords · Published July 18, 2025 · Updated July 17, 2025

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A non-kinky version of “princess treatment” has gone viral recently but when there were comparisons made to power exchange, we decided to learn more. Here’s what princess treatment is – according to the original creator who went viral – and where/how it differs from D/s.

In this episode:

We’re live streaming on YouTube Friday, July 18!
There’s no episode next week because we have to be parents first, and we decided to keep the chaos to a minimum, lol.
Courtney Palmer on TikTok had a video go viral for talking about what she experiences in “princess treatment” at a restaurant: doesn’t talk to wait staff, doesn’t order for herself, and “lets husband lead”
The internet had opinions as it often does, including another viral offshoot of “bare minimum vs princess treatment” of what behaviors and treatment should be expected or that would fall under the “princess treatment” category
I’d vaguely heard about princess treatment but didn’t care until I read an article that specifically talked about what it is and mentioned people correlating it to power exchange.
Princess treatment sometimes gets lumped in with trad wives, but Courtney purposely thinks they’re two separate things even though being a housewife or stay at home mom is common across both
What is princess treatment?
- Cis, heteronormative – very much men as masculine, women are feminine and submissive
- Treated like a princess means to be adored, worshipped, the focus of husband’s attention, makes their princess feel loved, husband is obsessed with her, and wants what’s best for her
- Some types of activities of husband: cooks, gives gifts and money, ties shoes, puts gas in her car, pays for everything, gives her flowers, plans everything
- The princess doesn’t have to ask for things, their partner pays attention and just does what you need
- The princess lets her husband lead.
Princess vs queen according to the creator
- Queen is in control, takes charge, makes decisions
- Princess is softer, needs to be taken care of, doesn’t make decisions
Men’s role:
- Financial provider and a “high value man”
- Highly masculine
- “Repays” any extra effort from princess with gifts; example: when husband is out of town for long periods of time and princess has to take care of herself
- They shouldn’t nitpick or overly criticize their princess – even in and especially in conflict
- Helping and taking care of princess makes you masculine as a man
- Men “naturally” want to provide and take care of women and they should be allowed to do so emotionally, mentally, and physically – and in return they receive an ego boost
Princess role
- Be soft and feminine always and be a “high value woman”
- Emotionally regulate yourself in conflict – which will “help” your husband do the same in return
- Feed into your husband’s ego to make him feel good
- Dress feminine
  - Wear high quality materials, no cheap looking clothing, no unnatural colors, no sequins,
  - You can show skin but not too much; Creator says if she shows her arms and shoulders, her dress will be longer to show less leg
  - Have a signature look
- Stay “soft” in conflict
  - No yelling
  - No masculine energy
  - Don’t play games or be “hysterical”
  - Say your peace and then let it go and be “unbothered” knowing you said your peace
- Avoid sarcasm, loud laughter, and other “non soft” traits that will embarrass your husband
- Well-mannered and understand etiquette
Communication is encouraged – sort of
- Share mood boards for what you want to experience for a special day so your husband doesn’t have to guess
- Say what you need to say when you’re upset but do it calmly – and come back to the discussion if you need time to calm down
- Creator says it took years to “train” her husband to give her what she wants
Creator suggests that you “warm up” your husband to the idea of princess treatment – but don’t have a direct conversation about it
- Talk about yourself in kind, uplifting ways
- Don’t downplay compliments – say, “Thank you” or “I know”
- He will “naturally” want to do this for you
- Give praise and show gratitude to your husband
- Take care of yourself – how you look, hobbies, the home, etc
Compatibility is important
- Look for partner who wants what you want
- Look for partner who understands taking care of a home requires work and effort
“What will people think”?
- Original creator says you don’t have to explain yourself, your life, or princess treatment
Power exchange comparisons
- High value feels like “one true way”
- Very prescriptive and assumes everyone needs to behave in similar ways to have a similar outcome
- NO encouragement to negotiate this dynamic and actually have an honest conversation about it
- Princess treatment ABSOLUTELY can be a D/s dynamic
  - Shouldn’t be restricted to specific genders
  - There may be some similarity between this and the 50s housewife dynamic
  - Felt very similar to aspects of our Daddy/bg dynamic
- At no point is there talk of what a man/husband gets in return other than a wife they’re proud of and have made happy