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. She refuses to leave with the press corps 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 over a taxi earlier at the Aldovian airport. 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. She 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. Amber follows him on horseback through the woods in pursuit of her story. When Amber's horse throws her and a wolf nearly attacks, Richard saves her. Richard takes Amber to Richard's father's old hunting cabin. There, he 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. While he is checking on the animals, she searches the late king's desk and discovers a hidden compartment holding documents showing that the Prince was secretly adopted. Amber secretly 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 find both 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. He rebuffs Amber's apologies, so she tearfully leaves the palace. Later, Helena reveals to Richard that she adopted him once told she could not have children. Apologizing for not telling him sooner, she insists she and the king always considered him their son. Richard asks about Emily, and Helena tells him that she is, in fact, their biological child, their "miracle". He forgives his mother for her deception and promises not to let Simon win the throne so easily. Simon marries Sofia, but learns Helena must preside over the
crowning ceremony. Meanwhile, Amber suspects that she can prove that Richard is the rightful king based on clues from his father's poem. Allowed back into the palace, she finds a secret
proclamation declaring Richard the rightful heir hidden in a Christmas ornament made by the late king. Amber takes the document to the official chamber where Simon is being crowned and arrives in time for Richard to be crowned instead; she quietly leaves Aldovia afterward. Back in
NYC, Amber's magazine refuses to publish her story on Richard, calling it a "puff piece". In anger, she quits, deciding to blog about the faithful Richard instead. It becomes popular and eventually gains his attention. Amber is spending
New Year's Eve at her father's diner when Richard surprises her. He professes his love to her and proposes, which she happily accepts. ==Cast==