As you can see from the above list of names, Princess Sapphire had slightly different identities in different countries. But the standout name from the selection - the one that really doesn't fit - is 'Royal Blue' the name used in North America. In spite of that, this is the name most commonly used on the internet for this pony. I don't know why they chose that name except for the inclusion of the word Royal, because, of course, the pony is not actually royal blue colour. (Though I guess she's also not Sapphire colour, so we won't split hairs).

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 Sapphire, Smokey and Wishful

The main difference between Sapphire'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 Wishful, a rather happy pink blob with an aqua crown who reminds me a bit of a marshmallow.

Princess Sapphire's Accessories and Packaging.

Aside the attendant, accessory differences stand out most clearly with Sapphire's hat, which was purple with yellow ribbons in the UK, and aqua blue with pink ribbons in North America. Sapphire's UK hat is the same colour as Princess Pearl's hat in North America, but has stars and moons instead of hearts and teardrops. Please note the above pictured pony is my childhood Princess Sapphire and her hat elastic has been replaced - all Princesses should have white hat elastic.

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.

The above pictured Sapphire has an aqua wand, but a blue wand version also exists Mint in Box.

Sapphire was probably sold with a puffy sticker through till 1988, although puffy stickers were withdrawn at the end of 1987.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 Sapphire 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 Sapphire was sold in German speaking countries sometime around 1988 or 1989. She was most likely sold on card, and had coral hair instead of pink.

Princess Sapphire's Backcard Story
UK, Benelux, Nordic Region, 1987-8

Sapphire creates a Skelter Helter, much to Moonstone's amazement
My Little Pony Comic 1987