Meet Li Ran, Europe’s first Chinese princess: she met Prince Charles of Belgium while working in luxury fashion – and just caused a stir across China by visiting her home of Wuhua, Meizhou in Guangdong

Finding Prince Charming and living in a giant castle is a childhood fantasy for many. But for one girl from Guangdong, China, finding that happily ever after wasn’t just a fairy tale.

Li Ran, married to Prince Charles Joseph de Ligne-la Tremoille of Belgium, is said to be the first Chinese person to gain a European royal title. While Li comes from a modest, working-class family, Prince Charles, a visual artist, hails from the House of Ligne, which is among the oldest Belgian noble families. The two married in 2010 at the 12th-century Antoing Castle in Wallonia, Belgium.

Though Li has held the title of Princess Ran for over a decade, she recently made headlines across China when she visited a school in her home of Wuhua, Meizhou county earlier this month, sharing her story and words of encouragement with students. During her tour, the princess also met her former teachers and planted trees with local workers.

Here’s what you need to know about Princess Ran.

Princess Ran is a pianist and polyglot

When she was young, Li was interested in the arts and learned to play the piano. She excelled at school and was accepted to the Beijing Language and Culture University, where she studied economics. Fluent in Mandarin, English and French, she went on to pursue a master of business administration at the Sorbonne University in Paris.

She has a great sense of style

After graduating, she interned at Givenchy and later worked as a consultant for international fashion houses including Balenciaga, Fendi and Dior.