Zegler, 20, is largely unknown to audiences but will star as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s much-delayed remake of “West Side Story”, out in December, having seen off 30,000 rivals in an arduous open audition process.

The casting of a Latino actress for a princess role traditionally portrayed by white performers follows Disney’s 2019 announcement that R&B singer Halle Bailey, who is African American, will play Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”.

Zegler, of New Jersey, wrote on Instagram: “well… hello to a dream come true.”

Hours before the announcement Zegler had tweeted her admiration for Bailey’s casting in “The Little Mermaid”, adding: “I love you disney princess cinematic universe” (sic).

Disney came under criticism in 2018 for “whitewashing” Princess Tiana in the cartoon movie “Ralph Breaks the Internet”, hastily redrawing the character with darker features just months before the film’s release.

Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello is set to appear as Cinderella in yet another live-action adaptation later this year, produced by Sony-owned Columbia Pictures and set for release on Amazon’s Prime Video.