Though the original Elements of Harmony artifacts were lost many years ago, an older Princess Twilight Sparkle proposed an idea to her friend and former student, Sunset Shimmer: if the Element analogue Geodes from her world were to be brought over to Equestria, perhaps the magic of the Elements could be reignited. Sunset, who had been considering a permanent move back to Equestria by this point anyway to raise her family, complied–and the Elements of Harmony (though now with an added seventh Element, Empathy) would soon be reborn into the world through seven foals, rather than re-manifesting as magical artifacts. This time, not only were the Element bearers embodiments of their Elements, but the physical forms of them as well.
 
Prince Dawn Glow very nearly did not exist, or at least not in the same way he ended up existing–prior to Princess Twilight Sparkle’s marriage to his father, Sunburst, she was in a long-term relationship with and even eventually engaged to Tempest Shadow. However, a rather messy split before the actual wedding nipped that future in the bud. Because of this messy history, Prince Dawn Glow has always had a bit of a strained relationship with the children of Princess Luna and her now-wife Tempest, despite their shared royal status.
 
Dawn Glow represents and embodies the Element of Loyalty, something that his parents were equally surprised and excited about.