The relative simplicity of this design belies the fact that he is a "mortal" that has the extraordinary privilege of walking freely among the breathtaking beauty of the alicorn "goddesses". The positive impression he left in his younger sister's life is inarguable, as is the fact that Cadance chose him over all the potential suitors she could have selected instead. He also helped conceive and raise the little miracle (or freak of nature, as some still think of her) named Flurry Heart.



And it's very likely the royal sisters of Celestia and Luna have opened up to him in ways they would not to anyone else. (Can you imagine how mind-blowing and humbling it must've been for Shining to learn that the "almighty" Princess Celestia does - and always did - love her sister in the same way he loves his? Or that he has the power and enough trust from Celestia to help the very elegant but very broken Luna that first arrived in Canterlot after her defeat in the series premiere?)