"Are you really a woman,

and why are you called Princess?"

    Yes, I am a real woman.
    My name is Linda Lacey. "Princess" is a nickname that I've had ever since I was a very young girl. I was brought up in a typical upper-middle class suburban home during the 1950s and 60s. My mother spent a lot of money keeping me outfitted in the prettiest clothes. At all times, I wore dresses ­ fancy, frilly dresses and lacy lingerie. I never wore slacks ­ not even for playing outside. All decked out in my pretty clothes, I was taught to be a quiet, nice little girl who sat on her satin pillow and stayed out of everyone's way. (I really did have a satin pillow!) I must have looked like a little doll sitting on a shelf. When I was a toddler, my favorite uncle started calling me "princess," and it stuck!