Anne Hathaway may have started her Disney career learning how to become a princess, but 25 years later, she has officially graduated to Legend status.
The actress was among the stars honoured at the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony during D23 on Sunday, 16 August, and naturally, the former Princess of Genovia dressed for the occasion.
Hathaway arrived at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, wearing a striking royal blue Aflalo gown that transformed maternity dressing into something worthy of a modern royal court.
The actress, who is currently expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, chose the label's Celestia Dress for the ceremony. From its electric colour to the fluid pleating and relaxed silhouette, the look delivered plenty of drama and maternity chic.
After all, Hathaway already knows a thing or two about making a grand entrance.
Anne Hathaway Makes a Case for Royal Blue
Designed by Yael Aflalo, the floor-length gown was reportedly crafted from lustrous plissé fabric that created a waterfall effect through its cascading pleats.
Its high boat neckline kept the front beautifully simple, while a plunging V-shaped back added an unexpected flash of skin. The loose silhouette flowed over Hathaway's baby bump rather than tightly framing it, making comfort look more glamorous than sweatpants have led us to believe.
Sitting somewhere between cobalt and electric royal blue, the saturated shade practically demanded its own spotlight. It also felt particularly fitting on the woman who spent two Princess Diaries films ruling the fictional kingdom of Genovia.
Evidently, once you've worn a crown, royal blue remains in the dress code.
Her Disney Legends attire continued the actress's recent streak of maternity looks that favour movement, unusual silhouettes, and bold colour over conventional bump dressing. With The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2 among her recent projects, Hathaway has had plenty of opportunities to prove maternity fashion does not require pressing pause on glamour.
Miranda Priestly would presumably approve. Quietly, of course.
Apart from winning hearts with her queenly attire, the actress also threw some light humour into the mix. When she heard an audience member ask 'boy or girl?', Hathaway playfully gestured towards her baby bump, joking that they need to be patient, as they're about to find out in about '5 minutes'.
From Princess of Genovia to Disney Legend
The gown may have supplied the fashion fairytale, but the reason Hathaway was on stage made the moment all the sweeter.
The Devil Wears Prada director David Frankel introduced the actress before a surprise video tribute from Anna Wintour. Hathaway then became emotional while accepting her Disney Legend honour as Shulman and their two sons supported her from the audience.
In her speech, Hathaway thanked the audiences who have continued watching her work throughout her nearly three-decade career, saying the distinction belonged partly to the people who had given their time to her films.
It was a full-circle moment for an actress whose Disney history stretches back to 2001's The Princess Diaries, when audiences first met the famously frizzy-haired, eyebrow-challenged teenager who discovered she was heir to an entire European kingdom. Over the years, she also introduced us to Ella Enchanted, a young girl cursed with obedience, and the White Queen, who offered a glimpse of magic through the looking glass.
The Princess Diaries Just Turned a New Page
Hathaway's Disney story clearly has many more chapters in the making.
During D23, the actress also teased the third instalment of The Princess Diaries, keeping anticipation alive for Mia Thermopolis' long-awaited return after The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement arrived in 2004.
What awaits Mia remains another royal secret for now, but Hathaway's Disney Legend induction offered a lovely bridge between the teenage princess who helped launch her career and the actress she has become.
Pregnant, dressed in electric royal blue, and accepting one of Disney's highest honours with her family watching from the audience, Hathaway did not need a fictional throne to look every inch the queen.
Turns out, Genovia's greatest export was a legend all along.
