John and Jenny Fulton

Real International Princesses: Changping of China

By Jenny Fulton

Introduction

My book, An International Princess Alphabet Primer, features princesses from countries and cultures around the world. Each character is named after a real person. These are their stories.

Because the alphabet book was written for young kids, the biographies I’m sharing are short, child-friendly, often rose-tinted summaries.

C: Chinese Princess Changping

Map from Pixabay; Chinese Flag Image by kevin93sqs from Pixabay

Chinese Princess Changping is named for Princess Changping, one of the last princesses of the Ming Dynasty.

Her story isn’t a happy one. However, I chose her because of how popular she is and how many shows and books her short life inspired.

Changping’s parents were the emperor and empress of the Ming Dynasty. She was born in Beijing on May 2, 1630 BC. Her birth name was Zhu Meichuo. The young princess had a fairly good childhood. Her parents loved her, her three brothers, and her sister. Their mom made sure they had a wonderful education.  

In 1644, When Zhu Meichuo turned 14 years old, her whole life changed. She was given her royal name, Princess Changping, and arranged to be married to a military officer named Zhou Xian. Many stories like to focus on the love and marriage between these two. However, their wedding didn’t happen right away. Before that day arrived, the Imperial Palace was attacked. Changping’s arm was hurt, and she fainted. The enemies thought she was dead.

But Changping lived. He Xin, a palace eunuch, found the young princess and hid her while she healed. A year later, Changping came out of hiding and asked the emperor of the new Qing Dynasty to let her become a nun. After losing her family, Changping was so sad she didn’t think she’d ever be happy again. But the new emperor told her that she needed to move forward and marry the man she’d been betrothed to. He even gave them a lot of money, land, and a mansion. With all the wealth she’d been given, Changping still missed her family. In 1647 BC, when she was just seventeen years old, Changping became very sick. She died on September 26.

One of the most well-known stories about Changping is a Chinese Opera called The Flower Princess. Other versions of her life describe her as a warrior and Buddhist nun. All them show Princess Changping as a beloved princess with a very heartbreaking life.

Summer Palace Image by H. Hach from Pixabay

Other Princess Bios

Works Sited

Jacks, Lauralee. “Princess Changping – The Survivor of a Royal Massacre” History of Royal Women; Jan. 25, 2023. https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/princess-changping/princess-changping-the-survivor-of-a-royal-massacre/

“The Patriotic Princess: Princess Chang Ping” Chinatownology; July 5, 2024. https://www.chinatownology.com/princess_chang_ping.html

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