Princess Der Ling (1885–1944)

The daughter of a Manchu aristocrat and diplomat (who served a term as ambassador to France) known for his progressive views, Der Ling received a Western education and studied dance with Isadora Duncan in Paris. Upon her family's return to China, Der Ling was appointed, at age 18, to be a lady-in-waiting and interpreter to the Empress Dowager Cixi. She served in this position until 1905. In 1907, Der Ling married Thaddeus C. White, an American. Using the controversial title of Princess, Der Ling wrote about her experiences of life at the Imperial court in her memoir Two Years in the Forbidden City (1911) and several more books. A biography of Der Ling, "Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling," by Grant Hayter-Menzies, was published in 2008.