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This article is about the character from Beauty and the Beast (2017). For other characters, see King.

The King is a posthumous character in the 2017 Disney live-action film Beauty and the Beast based on the acclaimed 1991 animated classic with the same name. He is the (possibly late) father of the Prince (who was transformed into the Beast) who used to rule an unnamed French kingdom.

Role in the film[]

According to Mrs. Potts (the head of the castle's kitchen), the King was known to rule his kingdom with an iron fist with his dear wife (the Queen) and young son (the Prince) by his side. Unlike the Queen, who was kind-hearted and caring to her son, the King was very arrogant and cruel in nature. The King only appeared briefly when the young Prince stood by singing at the Queen's deathbed as she died from unknown causes, right before he leads his son away from the scene. The King then took the opportunity to harden his son's heart through abuse to make him a vain and selfish ruler like himself. Of course, the castle servants secretly disapprove of the King's treatment towards the Prince, but they were too scared to do anything about it as they feared of any retaliation that the King would inflict on them.

The King's horrible treatment is what caused the Prince to develop an arrogant personality towards his own subjects during his young adult years. What ultimately became of the King is unknown, though he either moved to another castle or that he died of unknown causes. But in any case, the Prince followed his footsteps of his father. It wasn't until one winter night during a debutante ball, a visiting Enchantress places a spell on the Prince as punishment for denying her any shelter, transforming him into the Beast and the castle servants into household objects. After erasing the memory of the castle from the townsfolk, the Enchantress tells the Beast that he can break the spell by learning to love another and earn her love in return before the enchanted rose's last petal falls, otherwise his monstrous form will remain and that the servants will become permanent antiques, much to their distraught.

Because of this event, the Beast felt extremely ashamed of his actions and despised his father for causing his pain; even tearing up a family portrait of himself and his father in revenge (though the portrait of his mother remains intact as the Beast couldn't bear himself to ruin it due to his genuine love for her). Even the servants felt depressed over their role in the event, as they are full of regret of letting the Beast becoming so arrogant due to the King's treatment. Eventually, a young village bookworm named Belle reached out to the Beast's heart after he saved her from a wolf pack. To that end, Belle negates the King's treatment by helping the Beast unleash his inner humanity before giving out her love for him. This effectively breaks the spell and turns the Beast and his servants back to normal, much to their delight.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • The King's personality reflects to that of Gaston (the main antagonist of the film):
    • They are both selfish leaders.
    • They tend to abuse those who are close to them (The King to the Beast, the Queen, and their castle servants; Gaston to LeFou and his buddies).
    • They sense an opportunity for glory and power by any means necessary (The King hardened the Beast's heart to become an arrogant ruler following the Queen's death; Gaston goaded the villagers to hunt down the Beast in an attempt to have Belle marry him).
  • Given to the King's unconcerned behavior towards the dead Queen as he leads the Prince away from the deathbed, it is apparent he did not approve of his son's soft heart and tender nature.
  • The King is indirectly responsible for the events of the film, as his abusive treatment towards the Prince is a clear explanation why the Prince became so selfish and arrogant that caused the enchantress to set off the film's plot in the first place.


v - e - d
Beauty and the beast logo
Media
Films: Beauty and the Beast (video/soundtrack/The Legacy Collection) • The Enchanted Christmas (video) • Belle's Magical World (video) • Beauty and the Beast (2017) (video/soundtrack)

Shows: Sing Me a Story with BelleBelle's Tales of FriendshipHouse of MouseA Poem Is...Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (soundtrack) • Chibi Tiny Tales
Books: The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's PrinceThe New Adventures of Beauty and the BeastWinter WonderlandTale as Old as Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the BeastDisney Princess BeginningsAs Old as Time (A Twisted Tale)Royal Weddings
Marvel Comics: A Chance For RomanceWardrobe's Big SurpriseThe Wishful WalkAlmost Amour!Lyrical Love Part 1 and 2Dove Tales Part 1 and 2
Video Games: Beauty and the BeastBelle's QuestRoar of the BeastA Board Game AdventureDisney InfinityDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionKingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts IIKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysKingdom Hearts χKingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Union χDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Crossy RoadDisney Magic KingdomsBeauty and the Beast: Perfect MatchDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Speedstorm
Stage: Musical (cast album)

Disney Parks
Animated Film: Beauty and the Beast Sing-AlongCastle of Magical DreamsDisney Animation BuildingDisney Friends of the MonthEnchanted Tale of Beauty and the BeastFairy Tale ForestLe Pays des Contes de FéesMickey's PhilharMagicPrincess PavilionSorcerer's WorkshopVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Live-Action Film: Disney Movie MagicDisney Illuminations
Entertainment: A Table is WaitingBeauty and the Beast Live on StageCinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicEnchanted Tales with BelleFantasmic!Feel the MagicMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldOnce Upon a MouseThe PavilionRoyal Princess Music CelebrationRoyal TheatreThe Golden MickeysThe Starlit Princess Waltz
Restaurants: Be Our Guest RestaurantGaston's TavernRed Rose TaverneMaurice's Treats
Shops: Bonjour! Village Gifts
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Festival of Fantasy ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeJubilation!Mickey's Rainy Day ExpressMove It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyMickey's Soundsational ParadePaint the Night ParadeThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLightsVillains Cursed CaravanWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsNightfall Glow
Fireworks: Celebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsHarmoniousIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsMomentousOnce Upon a TimeWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Mickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Frightfully Fun ParadeIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsLet's Get WickedMaze of Madness: The Nightmare Experiment ContinuesThe Disney Villains Halloween Showtime
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney Christmas StoriesDisney Holidays in HollywoodDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: BelleBeastLumiereCogsworthMrs. PottsThe Potts Children (Chip Potts) • Chef BoucheVillagersMauricePhilippeGastonLeFouBimbettesSultanWardrobeFifiEnchantressMonsieur D'ArqueWolvesMusic BoxCoat RackGaston's BuddiesThe BooksellerPalanquin

Enchanted Christmas: AngeliqueWall HangerForteFifeWine GlassesOrnamentsAxe
Belle's Magical World: WebsterCraneLe PlumeWitherspoonChandeleriaTubalooTresChaudePunch BowlFrappeEgg BeaterConcertinaSongbird
Deleted Characters: ClariceCharleyMargueriteBelle's SistersBelle's SuitorsBelle's Mother
Sing Me a Story with Belle: HarmonyBig BookLewis and Carol the Bookworms
Book Characters: Countess de la PerleThunderLoveDeath
Remake: CadenzaJean PottsMonsieur ToiletteThe KingThe Queen

Songs
Original: PrologueBelleGastonBe Our GuestSomething ThereHuman AgainBeauty and the BeastThe Mob Song

Broadway: No Matter WhatMeHomeHow Long Must This Go On?If I Can't Love HerMaison Des LunesA Change in MeEnd Duet
Enchanted Christmas: StoriesAs Long As There's ChristmasDon't Fall in LoveA Cut Above the Rest
Belle's Magical World: A Little ThoughtListen With Our Hearts
Remake: AriaHow Does a Moment Last ForeverDays in the SunEvermore

Locations
Beast's Castle (Library/Ballroom/The West Wing/Belle's Room) • Belle's CottageVillageThe Black ForestTavern
Objects
The Enchanted RoseEnchanted MirrorMaurice's Machine
See Also
Beauty and the Beast Jr.Disney RenaissanceOriginal Screenplay
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