PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – As the wedding of Prince William and Kate approaches, a children’s author goes in depth about several princesses in ancient history who went above and beyond the royal wave.

Shirin Yim Bridges writes about six princesses in history, living in Egypt, Mongolia, India, and Spain, who ruled in times when females were given little opportunities and freedom. However, she found that these women used their royalty to triumph.

“They all seized whatever opportunities they had. Despite being princesses, they seized the opportunities they had and made something of it. They made huge contributions to their countries, to their history and changed the histories of their countries,” Bridges said.

She adds today it is more about what the princess gets out of the life than what she puts into it.

You can find out more about The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses at goosebottombooks.com.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio