Why Are There Never Any Pictures Like This..?

Courtney Palmer, 37, from Utah, USA, has sparked a lot of debate on TikTok for embracing a lifestyle where “the wife must be treated like a princess.”

Palmer previously lived in New York and moved to Utah with her husband, David, who works in advertising. She describes herself as a traditional homemaker wife.

Since mid-June, she has become an influencer with the account \@courtney_joelle by creating the viral “princess treatment” trend, which has attracted millions of views but also caused controversy due to its extreme feminine lifestyle.

Specifically, Palmer doesn’t tie her own shoelaces, waiting for her husband to do it. She avoids eye contact or speaking with servers when dining out. She doesn’t open doors, order food, or pay the bills—these are all considered her husband’s responsibilities.

She says these behaviors help express femininity and allow her husband to show his masculinity. “This is a form of self-care that reflects a desire for chivalrous men, which are becoming increasingly rare,” she explains.

The online community reacted strongly to Palmer’s statements. One person compared her dining-out video to being rude to the server. However, hundreds of women commented admiring Palmer’s lifestyle.

“It inspires them to demand care from their partners,” said Tammy, 25, from New York. “I’m tired of being treated badly; her content makes me feel appreciated.” Supporters argue that the “princess treatment” lifestyle helps women reduce pressure in busy lives.

Therapist Genesis Games, founder of Healing Connections in Miami, believes this lifestyle appeals to women because they often desire romance and initiative from their partners.

However, she warns that showing weakness and total dependence can harm relationships. She emphasizes the difference between reasonable requests like booking dinner reservations, buying flowers weekly, or opening doors, and making oneself completely small and powerless before a partner.

Genesis says what Palmer describes is based on rigid gender roles rooted in patriarchal norms. “Traditional gender roles may suit some, but they limit flexibility and harm both genders,” she says. “Men struggle to handle emotions, and women become dependent on help.”

Dating coach Sabrina Zohar shares this view. She does not support patriarchal ideas in the princess treatment trend. The desire to be treated like a princess can create power imbalances, with one person always active and the other passive, encouraging women to avoid managing their own lives.

The problem with the trend lies in its one-sided motivation, which is unsustainable and unsatisfactory for both partners.

Genesis Games suggests women can practice a balanced version of the “princess treatment” by making small but meaningful gestures to their partners. They should consider the frequency and openly communicate their expectations.

“Find balance, avoid extremes that make women feel small or overshadowed by men, and live authentically,” she advises.