Influencer Courtney Palmer was initially surprised when her “princess treatment” videos sparked backlash.
“My content was reaching a community of 16,000 followers, and I was grateful to have a very sweet community. All of a sudden, overnight, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, some of these comments are mean,’” Palmer told People in an interview published on Saturday, July 5. “Then I thought, ‘That’s OK, it’ll run its course within 48 hours.’”
She added, “People started to make more videos, and I was completely shocked and felt bad. I didn’t mean it like that, and they’re missing context from the other videos. I didn’t think the backlash would go on for as long as it has. It breaks my heart, we’re all just trying to do our best.”
Several of Palmer’s now-viral videos revealed that she follows “princess treatment” guidelines when she’s out with her husband, meaning she won’t open her own doors or order her own meals at a restaurant. Palmer’s beliefs soon sparked criticism for allegedly playing into stereotypical gender roles instead of standing up for herself.
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“I speak, I laugh, I make decisions in my life. We go out, and we have lovely dinners,” she told People, denying the claims. “I enjoy the grace of my husband taking the lead, confirming the reservation he made. He pulls out my chair, orders for me after I’ve decided what I’d like to eat. It’s not control, it’s care.”
Palmer further admits that different individuals might have different definitions of “princess treatment.” For her, she told the outlet that it’s all about “a gentle way of living.”
“It begins with how you care for yourself. It’s not about him, it’s about you. You’re choosing softness, calm and grace. It’s very intentional,” Palmer said. “You’re speaking kindly to yourself. You’re making space for that peace by embracing your feminine energy without shame.”
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She added, “Princess treatment isn’t about how someone else is showing up for you. It’s how you carry yourself, how you hold your boundaries, the way you move through the world, knowing you’re the prize. The world learns to treat you that way. Your softness isn’t giving anyone control over you. It’s giving a partner space to lead with that strength.”
According to Palmer, she wants her husband of 18 years to act as a protector, provider and a partner.
“He adores me and goes over the top to make me feel loved. He has always been this way. We never had a conversation about any of the things that I talk about in any of my videos, we just naturally fell into it,” she explained. “That’s what I’m trying to tell through my videos. When you show up in a certain way, he will act in this way, naturally. It’s not about forcing or manipulation. You’re not playing a game.”
