Via Independent.co.uk:
Following Carrie Fisher’s untimely death late last month, fans of her work across used social media to share memories and grieve.

One of those fans, Cody Christensen, thought one of the best ways to celebrate the actor’s long life would be her iconic Star Wars character, Princess Leia, to be made an official Disney princess.

Christensen’s Change.org petition – addressed to Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger – has almost 25,000 signatures and is gaining further momentum.

The petition reads

“After the tragic lose of Carrie Fisher, we feel that it is only fitting for Disney to do away with the rule that an official Disney princess must be animated and make Leia a full-fledged princess. This would be a wonderful way to remember Carrie and a welcoming to one of Disney’s new properties that is beloved by millions.

“What we are asking is that the Walt Disney Corporation hold a full ceremony inducting Leia as the newest Disney princess as well as a special service in memory of Carrie Fisher.”

Speaking to Geek.com about the petition, Christensen explained how Disney currently has a set of rules for who can and can’t be a princess.

“With Carrie’s death, I think that it’s time to change the rules,” he told the publication. “I actually have 5 daughters and there are constantly princess movies playing in the background.

“We are big fans of the current Princess line-up, but I think that Leia is a really strong, positive, awesome role model for my girls, and she would make a great addition.”

Since 2009, when the Disney Princess line of toys and merchandise kicked off, numerous Disney characters – starting with Princess Tiana of Princess and the Frog – have had huge coronations in front of Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World, Orlando.

Already, a non-Disney princess has had a coronation celebration: Pixar’s Merida, from the film Brave. Surely, Princess/General Leia would be an accessional addition to the line-up?