Prince Eric's Castle

Postcard US-4002447 to the United Kingdom shows Prince Eric's Castle from a 1989 Disney movie the Little Mermaid based on a Danish fairy tale. It tells the story of a beautiful mermaid princess who is dissatisfied with underwater life and dreams of becoming human. The film's success marked the beginning of the era known as the Disney Renaissance.

The card is part of the Art of Disney: the Renaissance and Beyond (1989-2014). The castle may have been inspired by Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Attraction Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid opened on June 3, 2011 at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California, and on December 6, 2012 in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Purple Carpet, Pacific Grove, California

I sent out postcard US-3975289 to Australia early today, which shows a "purple carpet" of blossoms brightens this Pacific Grove coast in California with photo credit by James Blank.

Then the news came with the superstar Prince's passing at the age of 57. Soon the City of Las Vegas has turned purple to honor Prince. Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman directs the Las Vegas City Hall exterior to be lit in purple tonight. So do the Venetian and Palazzo hotels and casinos, and the High Roller at The LINQ Promenade on the Las Vegas Strip. Fremont Street Experience also honors the pop singer with a tribute at their Viva Vision canopy tonight.

I found a  video on YouTube showing Prince performing “Purple Rain” during downpour for the Super Bowl XLI Half-time Show, where producers described how Prince met the adverse weather head on and owned the show. (Update: unfortunately, that video later went private.)

All Our Dreams Can Come True

Outgoing postcard US-3869982 to Mexico shows a film frame from the 2009 Disney Movie "The Princess and the Frog."

Re-telling a classic tale with a modern twist, this animated movie sets stage in New Orleans, featuring a beautiful and hard-working waitress named Tiana, and Prince Naveen who is transformed into a frog by a voodoo magician and desperately wants to be human again. Sealed with a fateful kiss, they are on a hilarious journey to break the spell and pursue their dreams through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.

Just like Walt Disney once said: "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

S.A.S. Rainier III and Miss Grace Kelly

Outgoing postcard US-3128753 to Czech Republic was an original 1956 vintage postcard showing Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and his wife American actress Miss Grace Kelly, Oscar winner for Best Actress.

Rainier III (May 31, 1923 – April 6, 2005) ruled Monaco for almost 56 years, which made him one of the longest ruling monarchs of the 20th century. He was credited for reforming the Monaco's constitution and diversifying the Monaco's economy from traditional gambling industry. When Rainier took the throne in 1949, Gambling accounted for more than 95% of the nation's annual revenue; today it has only 3% share.

The Frog Princess

Postcard RU-3104812 from Russia shows an illustration of the Frog Princess fairy tale that has various origins in its Russian version.

Under the King's directive, Prince Ivan and his two brothers shot arrows to locate their brides. The other brothers' arrows were found by the daughters of an noble and a wealthy merchant respectively, while Ivan saw his arrow in the mouth of a frog in a swamp whom he had to marry with. It turned out that the Frog Princess was a beautiful and skillful girl under a spell who could only reveal her true identity at night.

She passed a series of tests from the King. During the final dance test, she shed her frog skin and transforms to a beautiful princess at the King's banquet. However, the Prince burned the frog skin, probably in hope to prevent her from transforming back to a frog, without knowing that the Frog Princess would have been freed in three days. Now he lost her instead.

Ivan then set out a journey to find her again. He got advice from an old man; did multiple good deeds; and finally met the witch who gave him directions on how to free her. In the end, Ivan was rewarded for his good nature and earlier good deeds. He was able to free the Princess; and the two lived happily ever after.