As you can see from the above list of names, Princess Ruby had slightly different identities in different countries. But the standout name from the selection - the one that really doesn't fit - is Primrose - the name used in North America. In spite of that, this is the name most commonly used on the internet for this pony. This name always confused me because here in the UK primroses are generally associated with yellow-bloomed flowers. But I am told that in North America, primroses (a completely different kind of plant from what we call primroses here) are default pink. In that case the name makes a bit more sense. Maybe.

But, as most countries went with the theme of gemstones, this will be the last time I will refer to her by her American name :) Majority rules.

Princess Ruby, Chumster and Sparks

The main difference between Ruby's releases in North America and the UK, as mentioned on the main Princess page, is the attendant. In the North American release, she came with Chumster, a happy yellow flump with aqua crown who possibly wins the prize for most silly attendant name ever.

Princess Ruby's Accessories and Packaging.

Aside the attendant, accessory differences stand out most clearly with Ruby's hat. Her North American hat seems to be the same colour as Aquamarine's UK hat, but with butterflies and flowers instead of hearts and drops. Her UK hat is yellow with pink ribbons, butterflies and flowers motif.

As mentioned on the main Princess page, accessories can be inconsistent, and this may be in part because this set continued over two years. The accessories listed at the top of the page are based on proven Mint in Box ponies, but Lady Guinevere's survey of Princess Ponies indicates some variation in what each pony came with. If trying to match up your childhood ponies to the accessories you have, please do check it out and see whether yours is an exception rather than the rule. I received the above pictured Ruby from a childhood friend along with her hat, dragon and wand, but have never owned a raspberry pink wand in my collection, so there are definitely variations out there. (To be more confusing, the Princesses were sometimes pictured in the comic and annuals with the wrong hats, as can be seen in the pictures below!)

As far as I know, Ruby was sold with a puffy sticker through till 1988, although puffy stickers were withdrawn at the end of 1987. Although not common on the second hand market, they are easier to come by than those belonging to Mountain Boys or Movie Stars, suggesting they could have overrun this time limit. The stickers omitted the title of Princess, and just used the gemstone name.

Princess Ruby was sold in box in the UK, in North America, probably in the Netherlands, Nordic Countries, and in Italy. She was sold on card in Germany and France. Each packaging style met the conventions of the original year of release.

The Princess Pony's UK box featured the curled y on the rainbow logo, even though the release extended into 1987 - the packaging was not updated. The box design featured Dream Castle in the clouds, and a grassy meadow with a path. Pearl and Amethyst were pictured in the clouds, while the four earth ponies were shown on the grass. The example shown below is from Princess Pearl.

An additional variation on Princess Ruby was sold in German speaking countries sometime around 1988 or 1989. She was most likely sold on card, and had yellow hair instead of blue.

Ruby vetoing the baby ponies' paper crowns (wrong damsel hat)
Annual, UK 1988

Ruby greets the Adventure Boy Ponies on their arrival in Ponyland. (Correct damsel hat)