Just before Christmas, aspiring young American magazine journalist Amber Moore gets sent to the country of Aldovia for a press conference given by Prince Richard, who got set to take the throne following his father's recent death. He is famed as an irresponsible playboy and may also abdicate.

Amber hopes this will finally be her big break as she heads to the royal family's palace for the press conference. Amber refuses to leave with the press pack when the prince fails to appear. Deciding to snoop around, she is mistaken for young Princess Emily's new American tutor, Martha Anderson. Amber plays along and assumes Martha's identity to investigate the rumors of abdication.

Emily, who has spina bifida, tries to prank Amber into quitting but warms up to her after she does not treat her like an invalid. As Emily's tutor, Amber meets the royal family, including Richard, who she realizes is the man she fought with earlier at the Aldovian airport over a taxi.

Amber becomes attracted to Richard after discovering he is compassionate and responsible, although reluctant to take the throne. During this time, Emily tells her Richard's envious cousin Simon is next in line for the throne, which he desperately wants. Emily herself is ineligible to ascend, being a female. Amber also encounters Richard's beautiful, seductive ex-girlfriend Sofia, who Richard suspects is only interested in him for his future title.

Emily discovers Amber's identity, but promises not to expose her if she writes a story showing how excellent Prince Richard is. She follows him on horseback through the woods in pursuit of her story. When Amber's horse throws her and a wolf nearly attacks her, Richard saves her.

Richard takes Amber to Richard's father's old hunting cabin, where Richard reveals that they argued about his desire to renounce the throne the last time he saw his father alive. Richard then shows Amber a mysterious poem written by his father, and they almost kiss, but are interrupted by the horses neighing.

After Richard leaves to check on the animals, Amber searches the late king's desk and discovers a hidden compartment holding documents proving that the Prince was secretly adopted. She hides the documents and takes them back to the palace.

Amber is reluctant to reveal the truth as it would deeply hurt Richard, but decides to tell him during a walk. He interrupts her confession with a kiss, and she realizes she is in love with him. Simultaneously, a suspicious Sofia and Simon search Amber's room and discover her true identity and Richard's adoption certificate.

At the Christmas Eve Ball, as Richard prepares to be crowned, Sofia reveals his adoption certificate and Amber's true identity. Simon asserts himself as next in line for the throne as Richard storms off and rebuffs Amber's apologies, and she tearfully leaves the palace.

Later, the queen reveals to Richard that she adopted him once told she could …

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• Rose McIver as Amber Eve Moore / Martha Anderson
• Ben Lamb as Prince Richard Bevan Charlton
• Tom Knight as Prime Minister Denzil
• Sarah Douglas as Mrs. Averill
• Daniel Fathers as Rudy Moore
• Alice Krige as Queen Helena Charlton
• Tahirah Sharif as Melissa
• Richard Ashton as Mr. Little
• Theo Devaney as Count Simon Duxbury
• Vaughn Joseph as Ron
• Honor Kneafsey as Princess Emily Charlton
• Amy Marston as Max Golding
• Joel McVeagh as Andy
• Emma Louise Saunders as Baroness Sofia Taylor
• Paul Courtenay Hyu as Deputy Press Secretary Gill

The trilogy was filmed at Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania. Other filming locations in Romania included Bragadiru Palace, the Cotroceni National Museum, the Carol Davila Medicine, and Pharmacy University, all of which are located in Bucharest, the Romanian capital, which is about two hours from Sinaia.