Plot
Just before Christmas, aspiring young American magazine journalist Amber Moore is sent to the country Aldovia for a press conference given by Prince Richard, who is set to take the throne following his father's recent death. He is famed to be an irresponsible playboy, and also may abdicate.
Amber hopes this will finally be her big break, as she heads to the royal family's palace for the press conference. When the prince fails to appear, Amber refuses to leave with the press pack. 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 in order 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 actually compassionate and responsible, although indeed 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 was only interested in him for his future title.
Emily discovers Amber's identity, but promises not to expose her if Amber writes a story that shows how truly good Prince Richard is. In pursuit of her story, she follows him on horseback through the woods. When Amber's horse throws her, and she is nearly attacked by a wolf, Richard saves her.
Richard takes Amber to his father's old hunting cabin, where he reveals that the last time he saw his father alive, they argued about his desire to renounce the throne. 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 them, taking 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 not have children. Apologizing for not telling him sooner, she insists she and the king considered him their true son. Richard asks about Emily, and the queen tells him she is in fact their biological child, their "miracle." Richard forgives his mother for her deception and promises to not let Simon win the throne so easily.
Simon marries Sofia, but learns the queen must preside over the crowning ceremony. Meanwhile, Amber suspects she can prove Richard is the rightful king based on clues from his father's poem. Allowed back into the palace she finds, hidden in a Christmas ornament made by the late king, a secret proclamation declaring Richard the rightful heir. 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 afterwards.
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 true 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 Amber and proposes, which she happily accepts.
