Elena, the newest Disney princess, in “Elena of Avalor” Credit Disney
Elena, the newest Disney princess, in “Elena of Avalor” Credit Disney

“It was finally my time.”

Those words, spoken by the animated Princess Elena in the first episode of “Elena of Avalor,” a new Disney Channel series, are meant to reflect power: The zesty teenager has reclaimed her tropical kingdom from an evil sorceress. But the line has a deliberate double meaning. With Elena, Disney has created — at long last — its first Latina princess.

“It’s not a secret that the Hispanic and Latino communities have been waiting and hoping and looking forward to our introduction of a princess that reflected their culture,” said Nancy Kanter, the Disney executive overseeing the show, which will begin on July 22 with toy and theme park tie-ins. “We wanted to do it right.”

Did the company succeed? Or is Elena, like some of her royal counterparts, about to run afoul of the princess police?

For the complete story, visit TheNewYorkTimes.com/Business/Media.

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