LONDON - Disney has marked a new page in its history of animation after coming up with the first African-American princess.

With the creation of Tiana in The Princess And The Frog, the entertainment giant has given the world its ninth princess.

Acclaimed singer and actress Anika Nonie Rose lent her voice to the new princess, who is gifted with great cooking ability and dreams of owning her own restaurant.

“It’s a really wonderful thing for children to be able to look at this princess and say, ‘it looks just like my friend - she’s a princess too,’” the BBC quoted her as saying.

“It’s a long time coming but I’m glad it’s here,” she added.

Bonnie Greer, the African-American writer and broadcaster, also said: “Since Disney is always looking at the bottom line, they figured it’s about time.

“It’s probably a combination of our new president, a feeling that change has swept the land and thinking about how they can get involved in this change. Also there is a huge market for this type of film.”

She added: “When you are a child, what you are shown does affect you and I can remember when I was growing up not wanting to play with black dolls,” she says.

“It’s a great thing and hopefully it will make some little black girls smile as well as some little white girls.” (ANI)