What Does “Passenger Princess” Mean?

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Discover what a passenger princess is and how to be one

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: May 15, 2024 Fact Checked

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Definition & Use

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Origin

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How to Be a Passenger Princess

If you use TikTok, you might have seen videos of people sitting in the passenger seats of cars, talking about their duties as a “passenger princess.” But what does this term mean, and where did it come from? If you’re wondering what it means to be a passenger princess, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll explain what a passenger princess is and how to be one, so keep reading!

Things You Should Know

A passenger princess is someone who prefers to be driven around, rather than driving themselves.
The term is often used in a joking way to poke fun at someone who likes to be pampered in the passenger seat, while someone else does the hard work of driving.
Passenger princesses gained popularity on TikTok in early 2023, when they started posting videos of their “duties,” such as choosing music and providing snacks.

Section 1 of 3:

Passenger Princess Definition

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A passenger princess is someone who has other people drive them around. The term usually refers to a woman who sits in the passenger seat while their significant other acts as a chauffeur for them.^{[1]
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Research source} A passenger princess may be someone who doesn’t have their driver’s license, or they may just dislike driving.
- The term is usually used in a cutesy or joking way to describe someone whose only job is to look pretty in the passenger seat while someone else drives.
- When someone adopts the title of “passenger princess,” they’re generally poking fun at themselves in a good-humored way.^{[2]
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Though the term usually refers to women, it can be used for any gender. Many people have also jokingly used the term to describe their dogs or pets who sit in the passenger seat while they drive. Here are a few examples of ways to use the term “passenger princess”:
- “When we went on our road trip, my boyfriend drove the whole way while I ate snacks and napped. I was a total passenger princess.”
- “Driving stresses me out, so all my friends know I’m a passenger princess. I’ll handle the music and the GPS, but I’m not getting behind the steering wheel!”
- “I take my duties as passenger princess very seriously. I make sure we have a ton of snacks and the perfect playlist to set the vibe.”
- “I took my dog to the vet, and he was a total passenger princess. He was sticking his head out the window and having a great time while I dealt with traffic.”

Section 2 of 3:

Where did the term “passenger princess" come from?

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The term “passenger princess” started going viral on TikTok in 2023. Users started posting videos of themselves acting as passenger princesses, referring to the passenger seat as their “throne.”^{[3]
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Research source} They also posted videos of their “duties” as passenger princess, which included things like curating music playlists, bringing snacks and beverages, and managing the GPS directions.^{[4]
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Research source}

Section 3 of 3:

How to Be a Passenger Princess

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Curate the perfect playlist for the drive. As passenger princess, it’s your duty to create good vibes in the car ride through your song choices.^{[5]
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Research source} Help the driver stay awake on a long road trip with fun, upbeat songs to sing along to. Or, create a themed playlist based on your destination to go the extra mile!
- For example, if you’re headed to a concert, create a playlist of the artist’s best songs to get pumped for their performance.
- Or, if you’re on your way to the beach, choose some fun, summery songs to set the mood.
If you’re using a GPS for directions to your destination, watch it closely and tell the driver when turns or freeway exits are coming up. This helps make sure you don't get lost, and it prevents any mishaps that might add time to your trip!
Another key passenger princess duty is keeping everyone hydrated and satiated with snacks on long drives.^{[6]
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Research source} Bring some of the driver’s favorite candy or salty snacks to show them a little extra love and thank them for driving!
If you’re picking up a bunch of takeout food and beverages, it’s your duty as passenger princess to hold on to them tightly and make sure they don’t spill. This goes for any fragile items you're transporting, like a big birthday cake or a delicate bouquet of flowers.
Whether the person driving is a friend, significant other, or family member, show them you appreciate them. Thank them with a sweet handwritten note, or a thoughtful gift. A passenger princess would be nothing without a chauffeur to take them around town, after all!