Talk:Princess Cadance/@comment-220.255.1.161-20120602071407/@comment-4745737-20120602171225

I prefer the idea that "princess," or "prince," is simply a term denoted to any alicorn in Equestria. In other words, if an alicorn foal is born they then become royalty, regardless of their parents' social status. It has clearly been established that race has little or nothing to do with the race of one's parents, so I just assume that any couple, at least a pegasus/earth pony couple, has a very small chance of having an alicorn child; this helps to explain Cadance and the alicorn filly at magic kindergarten. The children of an alicorn to some generation, at least first, would be considered royalty as well, such as Prince Blueblood. As such, a member of royalty may live a very humble life, which would explain the foal-sitter thing.

Luna and Celestia, in my opinion, have indefinite lifespans because they are connected to the moon and the sun. I assume this connection was either preordained by some divine intervention and prophesy, such as demigod children of Queen Lauren, or some form of magic by somepony like Starswirl the Bearded, or a collective spell by all unicorns to establish a monarchy. Only the destruction of the moon or sun would cause their magical bond to cease, which is of course unlikely to occur before they would die by the hand of another, or the end of the world, such as a Judgment Day. Whatever the case, I believe Cadance would have a typical lifespan, or else the country would be overrun with alicorns than never die.

I hope these thoughts help you develop your own personal explanation.