The United States isn’t a nation of royals (see “Revolutionary War” for more), which may be a reason kings and princes are often captivated by American girls (and vice versa). Over the decades and centuries, there have been many-a-girl to catch the eye of a royal Prince. And while girls from the “colonies” don’t have a lock on this story, every so often a swooning spell seizes an unsuspecting aristo-Brit and an American girl becomes the queen of hearts. Herewith, case in point –– times three:

Duke Dazzler

When she went off to college –– the super exclusive University of the Isles in Scotland –– over-achiever Ellie Winters took her studies seriously. After all, the Floridian femme had been Valedictorian, National Merit Scholar, and captain of her local swim team so wunderkind kind of pumps through her veins. Along with brains, it seems as though the angels also got together and decided to create a dream come true (as the old song says). Blond hair with soft, cascading waves frame her sweet features (including a smile so white toothpaste tubes bow down to her). The beauty and the brains beguiled a certain young man named Baird –– Prince Alexander James Lachlan Baird, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, next in line to become King of the Scots to be more specific –– and now Eleanor is set to join that line, hand in hand with her charmed Prince!

Jersey Girl

A pretty, preppy Princeton-educated architect, sweet Lisa Halaby was working as a designer for the national airline of Jordan in the mid-1970s when she was introduced to the country’s ruler, King Hussein. Although Hussein was still working through his grief at the death of his third wife in a helicopter crash, Lisa and the King had an instant connection. They became friends, and by 1978, their friendship had evolved into a romance. After a six-week courtship, a smitten King Hussein proposed to Lisa, and, two months later, Lisa hopped from relative anonymity to the rarified realm of royalty. After the wedding, she was renamed Noor al-Hussein — the Light of Hussein. Dashing King Hussein and glamorous Queen Noor had four children and lived an adventurous life together until the King’s death in 1999.

From Networking to Nuptials

An American investment banker with an MBA from UCLA, Florida-born (another one?!?) Kelly Jeanne Rondestvedt was networking at a professional event and handed her business card to a dude after they chatted. A few days later the smitten dude called and asked her out. They had been seeing each other for a few months before Kelly actually discovered that she was dating a real life prince! Her new BF, a NYC-based financial adviser, was the hereditary prince of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha in Bavaria. A year into the relationship, Hubertus (who, bee-tee-dubs, is the great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria), knew he’d met “the one” and visited Kelly’s parents in El Cajon, CA. The prince invited Kelly’s pop to take a hike in the mountains outside San Diego where he asked Kelly’s dad for permission to marry her. Pops gave the thumbs up (of course! He’s a freakin’ prince!). Then Prince H. took Kelly on a visit to his hometown in Germany where he proposed on bended knee in a castle turret strewn with rose petals. Seriously?? That’s some fab fairy tale!

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