In a statement Disney responded: “Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior that for girls and women to have value – to be recognised as true princesses – they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.' 'The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. She was a princess who looked like a real girl, complete with the 'imperfections' that all people have. The petition has now been signed by more than 100,000 people in just over a week, it reads: “Merida was the princess that countless girls and their parents were waiting for – a strong, confident, self-rescuing princess ready to set off on her next adventure with her bow at the ready. Disney gave the flame haired warrior a makeover in order to boost sales of a new toy line ahead of her induction into The Disney Princess Collection in which she has been made slimmer, given larger eyes and now wears a lower cut top.

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