Michelle Erica Monale

Princess Michelle
Characteristics
Gender	Female
Ethnicity	European
Nationality	Monalean (manga) Singaporean (movie)
Relatives	Prince Lawrence (brother)
Personal Status
Occupation	Royal Princess of Monale
First appearance
Manga Debut	Chapter 38
Portrayal
Actor	Marika Shinoda

Michelle is the princess of the tiny Kingdom of Monale in Europe.  She transfers to Class 1-A at Ouran for two weeks to observe the Japanese high school system.  She closely resembles Tamaki's mother, Anne-Sophie. Although she acts rude and spoiled for most of her stay, it turns out to be an act to get her older brother's attention.  She appears in Chapters 38-40 of the manga and the feature film.

Background

Her Royal Highness

The Kingdom of Monale is a fictional country in Europe with a prosperous mining industry.  Monale is classified as wealthy, but the income gap is very wide.  The king and queen died in a "freak accident" three years prior, leaving Michelle's 21-year-old brother Lawrence as ruler.  Lawrence is a practical man and lives humbly. Kyoya says that there is "no way" Lawrence and Michelle live in the extravagance Michelle claims.  Lawrence actively speaks with the citizens and desires for Monale to remain prosperous and peaceful.

Personality

Michelle appears to be spoiled and self-entitled.  Upon her arrival to Ouran, she immediately appoints the Host Club as her "personal attendants," much to the twins' chagrin.  She makes ridiculous demands, such as an on-campus massage parlor and a sofa to sit on in class.  Tamaki notices that her demands keep rising when they fail to get her in trouble and he finally tells her to stop pretending.  Michelle was acting out in hopes of being sent home and so that her brother would pay attention to her.  She's ashamed of her treatment of the students and admits that she's terribly embarrassed to be so pampered.  She hated taking "dainty bites" of the food she was served, and the twins note that she sounds poor.  Her true personality is humble and quirky.  She is very grateful for the students' kindness and understanding and invites them to visit her in Monale sometime.  In the movie, it is also seen that cooking is her creative outlet.

Movie

Lawrence and Michelle in the movie.

Michelle is a central character in the live action movie. However, instead of a royal princess, she is the heiress of Monale Inc. from Singapore, making her full name Michelle Erica Monale. Because Monale Inc. is financially unstable, Lawrence is always stressed and busy and unable to spend quality time with her after the tragedy of their parents' passing. After enrolling in Class 2-A at Ouran, she attempts to woo Tamaki into a business marriage to save her family company and ease her brother's burden. However, she is unaware that Tamaki's grandmother does not acknowledge him as heir to Suoh Corp. When Shizue learns of Michelle's dispicable behavior at school and her attempt to manipulate Tamaki, she cuts all of Suoh Corp's ties to Monale Inc. Lawrence is frustrated not only by the financial loss, but mostly by Michelle's perceived loss of family pride. Michelle grieves that her actions will not be forgiven. Haruhi desires to set things right and disprove Michelle's notion that family bonds, including those in the Host Club's "family", are weak. Kyoya arranges a business meeting with Lawrence to outline a plan for Monale Inc. finances, and thus earns a strong ally for Ootori Group. In exchange for his help, Lawrence accompanies the club to the Ouran Battle, winning them the treasure hunt for "the Monale family treasure", in which the prize is rights to the coveted central salon for the school fair. Lawrence apologizes to Michelle for thinking that he needed to provide for her financially instead of emotioally and promises to be there for her from now on.

Relationships

Tamaki Suoh

When Tamaki first sees Michelle, he mistakes her for his mother, Anne-Sophie, because of Michelle's blue eyes and honey-blonde hair.  He works tirelessly to meet her ever-rising demands.  He realizes that her brattiness is a ploy and that her smiles are fake, and he arranges for Lawrence to come see her so that he may see her true smile.  Kyoya tells the club that the last time Tamaki saw his mother, she was crying, and that he desperately wants to see her smile again even if he can only do so through Michelle.

Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin

The twins strongly dislike Michelle for her brattiness and "excessive sibling love" of Lawrence, although Haruhi thinks they're being hypocrites.  They work hard to please her when they realize how much it means to Tamaki, but they are still annoyed with her the entire time.

Prince Lawrence

Prince Lawrence

Lawrence is Michelle's 21-year-old brother and since their parents died, he is the only person to whom Michelle feels close.  As ruler of Monale, Lawrence is always very busy.  He is often forced to leave Michelle alone in the palace, which results Michelle feeling that he's pushing her away.  Michelle wants him to realize that she can be helpful so that she can spend more time with him.  When Lawrence comes to meet Michelle at Ouran, he tells her that part of the reason he works so hard is so that she can be happy and safe.

Gallery

Michelle being pampered at Ouran

Michelle looks like Anne-Sophie

Class 1-A catches her venting her frustrations

Michelle is the humble type.