Miya Pearson
In the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty, the prince's name is Phillip, and he is thought to be between 19 and 20 years old. Princess Aurora, his love interest, is 16 years old. In the film, Phillip is voiced by Bill Shirley, and later by Roger Craig Smith. In the live-action Maleficent films, the actor Harris Dickinson plays the role of the 29-year-old Phillip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Phillip |
| Age | 19-20 years old |
| Personality | Brave, heroic, easygoing, charismatic, endearing, persuasive |
| Love interest | Princess Aurora |
| Portrayed by | Bill Shirley, Roger Craig Smith, Josh Robert Thompson |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Phillip's age in Sleeping Beauty
In the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty, Prince Phillip is estimated to be between 19 and 20 years old. His love interest, Princess Aurora, is 16 years old. In the film, Phillip is voiced by Bill Shirley, and later by Roger Craig Smith and Josh Robert Thompson.
Prince Phillip is the son of King Hubert and Queen Ingrith, although the identity of his mother is never revealed in the film. He is known for his bravery, heroism, and charisma. He is also fairly easygoing and has a sassy personality. Before the events of the film, Phillip had a relationship with Princess Ingrid.
In the film, Phillip is imprisoned by Maleficent, who reveals to him that Aurora has fallen under a curse of ageless sleep. Maleficent plans to keep Phillip locked up for 100 years, by which time he would be an old man, or possibly dead, while Aurora would remain 16 years old. However, Phillip is eventually freed by the three good fairies, who arm him with the Sword of Truth and Shield of Virtue to aid him in his quest to return to Stefan's castle.
In the two Maleficent live-action movies, the character of Prince Phillip is played by actors who are significantly older than the character they portray. In the first film, Brenton Thwaites plays a 21-year-old Prince Phillip at the age of 25, while in the second film, Harris Dickinson plays a 29-year-old Phillip while being only 23 years old himself.
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Aurora's age in Sleeping Beauty
Aurora, also known as Sleeping Beauty or Briar Rose, is the titular protagonist of Disney's 1959 animated feature film Sleeping Beauty. She is the daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah.
Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent on the day of her christening. The curse foretells that she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and die before sunset on her sixteenth birthday. Merryweather, one of the three good fairies, weakens the curse so that Aurora will only fall into a deep sleep, which can only be broken by true love's kiss.
To protect her, the three good fairies raise Aurora as a peasant, keeping her hidden in a forest cottage until her sixteenth birthday. Aurora's age in the film is therefore 16 years old, which is also the age that her curse takes effect.
Aurora's character represents a young woman transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Her first encounter with Prince Phillip is seen as tipping her from fantasy into reality and from girlhood into womanhood.
The age difference between Disney princesses and their princes has been a topic of discussion and discomfort for some. While Disney has not confirmed the ages of all the princes, it is estimated that Prince Phillip, Aurora's love interest, is around 19-20 years old, making him three to four years older than Aurora.
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The age gap between the two
In the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, the age gap between the titular character and her prince has often been a subject of discussion and speculation. While the exact ages are not explicitly stated in the traditional story, we can infer from various adaptations and interpretations a significant age difference between the two characters.
In the original Brothers Grimm version, titled "Little Briar Rose," the princess is said to be just 16 years old when she pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. The text does not specify the age of the prince, but he is often depicted as being significantly older, sometimes even in his thirties or forties. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the prince is described as a seasoned traveler who has journeyed far and wide in search of a bride.
In the popular Disney adaptation, "Sleeping Beauty," the age gap is somewhat reduced but still noticeable. Princess Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty, is portrayed as a young woman, likely in her late teens or early twenties. The exact age of the prince, Prince Phillip, is not mentioned, but he is generally depicted as being several years older than Aurora. This is evident in both his more mature appearance and his confident, authoritative demeanor.
The age difference between the prince and Sleeping Beauty has been a topic of debate, with some critics arguing that it reflects the societal norms of the time when the story was first published. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when the tale originated, it was common for women to marry at a young age, often to much older men. This practice was particularly prevalent among the nobility, where political alliances and the preservation of wealth influenced marriage customs.
However, it's important to note that the age gap has also been reinterpreted in modern adaptations. In some contemporary retellings, the prince and Sleeping Beauty are portrayed as being closer in age, reflecting a shift towards more egalitarian relationships in modern society. These interpretations often emphasize the mutuality of their love and present the prince as a dashing but youthful hero.
Ultimately, the age gap between the prince and Sleeping Beauty is a narrative device that has been molded by the cultural context of its various retellings. While the original tale may reflect the marriage customs of its time, modern adaptations have the freedom to reinterpret this aspect to fit contemporary sensibilities. As such, the age difference between these iconic characters continues to be a flexible element that shapes our understanding of their relationship.
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How old was the actor who played Prince Phillip?
In Walt Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, the voice of Prince Phillip was provided by actor and tenor/lyric baritone singer William Jesse Shirley, also known as Bill Shirley. Born on July 6, 1921, Shirley was 37 or 38 years old when he voiced the character of Prince Phillip.
Bill Shirley began his career in vocal work, providing dubbed vocals for films including Oh, You Beautiful Doll (1949) and Dancing In The Dark (1949). He also performed in KFI's Hollywood Bowl in 1945 and On Stage America in 1946, alternating between radio and the stage. In 1949, he starred in the short-lived Broadway revue A La Carte alongside singing actress Gale Robbins. In the early 1950s, he was a regular guest on Bekins Hollywood Music Hall, where he worked with actress Lucille Norman.
In 1952, Shirley landed his only leading onscreen role as Stephen Foster in I Dream of Jeanie, though actor Ray Middleton received top billing. Around the same time, Walt Disney Productions began development on Sleeping Beauty, which would be released in 1959. During the film's production, Shirley and actor Ed Kemmer served as live-action reference models for Prince Phillip, with animators drawing the character based on their performances. Shirley also acted out his part as if he were to appear in the finished production.
In addition to providing the speaking voice for Prince Phillip, Shirley lent his singing voice to the character, performing the iconic song "Once Upon a Dream" with Mary Costa, who voiced Princess Aurora. Shirley's singing range was tenor/baritone, with a youthful quality that was ideal for the voice of the young prince. Following his role in Sleeping Beauty, Shirley continued to act, notably co-producing Dames At Sea in the late 1960s, which introduced Bernadette Peters. He worked with Litton Industries in the real estate or electronics department for the last ten years of his life, retiring in May 1989. He passed away on August 27, 1989, at the age of 68.
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Other Disney prince age gaps
In the 1959 Disney film *Sleeping Beauty*, Princess Aurora is 16 years old, and sources estimate that Prince Phillip is between 19 and 20 years old, resulting in a small age gap of around three years. However, this age gap is relatively small compared to those in other Disney films.
Disney has faced criticism for the age differences between some of its princesses and their love interests. While the ages of these characters are not always clear, here are some notable age gaps between other Disney princesses and princes:
Snow White and Prince Florian
One of the most talked-about age gaps is between Snow White and her prince. While Snow White is just 14 years old, sources place Prince Florian's age between 20 and 31 years old, resulting in a gap of up to 17 years.
Hercules and Meg
In the 1997 film *Hercules*, the title character is estimated to be 18 years old, while Megara (Meg) is thought to be 28, resulting in a ten-year age gap.
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert
In *Tangled*, Rapunzel is 18 years old, while her love interest, Flynn Rider, is estimated to be 22 or 23 (turning 24) in the film, resulting in an age gap of around four to six years. In the Tangled series, Flynn's age increases to 23, widening the gap further.
Mulan and Li Shang
In *Mulan*, the title character is 16 years old, while Li Shang's age is estimated to be between 23 and 26, resulting in a significant age gap of seven to ten years.
Pocahontas and John Smith
In the 1995 film *Pocahontas*, the title character is 18 years old, and sources estimate John Smith's age to be between 20 and 22, resulting in a small age gap of up to four years. However, it is important to note that the real-life Pocahontas was only 12 years old when she met the historical John Smith, who was 27, creating a much larger age gap of 15 years.
These age gaps have sparked discussions about the messages promoted by Disney princess narratives and the company's decision to often leave prince ages unconfirmed.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Phillip was likely 19 or 20 years old in Sleeping Beauty.
Princess Aurora was 16 years old in Sleeping Beauty.
Harris Dickinson was around 23 years old when he played the 29-year-old Phillip.
Bill Shirley, Roger Craig Smith, and Josh Robert Thompson have all voiced Prince Phillip.
Prince Phillip is brave, heroic, charismatic, and endearing. He is also fairly easygoing and has a sassy personality.
