Aahana Swrup
Hallmark’s ‘Royal-ish’ presents a love story of noble proportions where a woman’s life goes from play-pretend to real castles in the blink of an eye. Lacey is a performer at an amusement park, playing the part of Princess Sweat Pea to perfection. However, she finds her paths crossing with real royalty when she ends up becoming friends with an 8-year-old Rose, who is an actual princess. As a result, the latter’s father, Prince Henry of Bella-Moritz, ends up inviting Lacey to his castle to help his daughter overcome her fear of horses so that she can participate in an important upcoming ceremony. As the woman travels to the small and charming kingdom, her relationship with Rose and her father deepens. Nevertheless, several complications stand in the way of her happily ever after, including the weight of Henry’s princely duties.
Royal-ish Makes Fairy Tales Come True
‘Royal-ish’ sets up its premise with two compelling leads who are stuck in unpleasant situations. Henry is Bella-Moritz’s crown prince who feels stifled under his mother, Queen Eloise’s thumb. While unsatisfied with his princely life, he remains deeply involved in his daughter Rose’s life. He’s committed to ensuring his daughter’s complete happiness, especially since his wife’s death. As such, he has enough conviction to forgo royal policy and take his beloved daughter to an American amusement park for her ninth birthday. Thus, fate brings him to Lacey, the Sweet Pea performer at Emerald Park. Even though Lacey loves her job of making little kids happy, it’s evident that she isn’t fulfilling her full potential at the Park. Therefore, the perfect scene is set for the two to enter each other’s life and change it for the better.
Consequently, Henry and Lacey continue to dance around with the plot progression as their dynamic flirts with the idea of something more than casual acquaintanceship. The Prince’s mild-manner nature perfectly complements his royal title, while Lacey’s mettle for life brings a sense of levity. As such, both individuals retain riveting chemistry and remain perfectly suited for each other. Simultaneously, their individual storylines and narrative conflicts cement them as gripping and relatable characters all on their own. Likewise, other characters, especially the delightful Rose, make their marks on the tale. Even Queen Eloise’s presumed antagonistic character strives to surprise and divert expectations. As such, overall, the film remains promising from start to finish.
Royal-ish Plot Summary
In the kingdom of Bella-Moritz, Prince Henry remains unhappy with his decorative princely duties as he continues playing by his mother’s rules. For the same reason, he’s far more interested in his parenting duties to daughter Caitriona Rose than attending any superficial meetings. Although Queen Eloise has some gripes with the way her son is approaching the Princess’ upbringing, she can only oppose his methods so much. Therefore, she has no choice but to agree when he announces that he and Princess Rose will be leaving for America to celebrate her ninth birthday. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, in Emerald Amusement Park, Lacey—an aspiring psychology student—works as a princess performer.
After years at the job, Lacey has grown concerned about her job security, especially since she’s on the cusp of aging out of the gig. Nonetheless, she continues to play her part. Thus, during one of her tea party sessions, she comes across Henry and Rose—incognito guests at the amusement park. On their first meet, the pretend princess gets off on a great start with the young girl—and her father, whom she calls upon for an impromptu round of waltz. Naturally, this inclines Henry to request her presence as their personal tour guide on the second day. Eventually, as the Prince realizes the ease between his daughter and the Park princess, he makes an impulsive decision to invite the latter to Bella-Moritz.
Rose has been struggling to overcome her fear of horses, which promises to be great trouble for her upcoming participation in the Order of the Lily procession parade. Eloise has already put forward a condition stating that she would be shifting her granddaughter’s education to private tutoring if she fails to follow through with the traditional parade. As a result, employing Lacey’s exceptionally helpful skills in encouraging Rose seems like the best option for Henry. In turn, Lacey readily agrees to the offer—-happy to board onto a well-paying gig in a faraway European kingdom.
Thus, Lacey travels to Bella-Moritz as an official guest of the royal family, residing in their palace. Queen Eloise and her advisor, Lionel, remain unamused about the situation but are unable to interfere directly with it. In her time at the palace, Lacey continues to make progress with Rose, who steadily begins to warm up to the idea of riding a horse despite her previous reservations. The fact that the older woman advocates for a small pony instead of a full-grown stead also helps. Her successful efforts with the kid don’t go unnoticed by her father, who can’t help but grow even more endeared with the former with each passing day.
Lacey’s positive effect spreads past Rose and to Henry as well, who finds himself opening up to the woman about his own dreams and plans as they get closer to one another. Eventually, a conflict arises when the duo’s photos threaten to leak to the press—thus endangering Lacey’s job at the Park. However, Henry does everything in his power to keep the spotlight away from the woman. In time, the day of the procession arrives, and Rose’s hard work pays off, allowing her to ride her pony—with Lacey by her side for courage, disguised as a cavalry soldier. Nonetheless, trouble strikes as Lionel feeds Lacey’s insecurity about not being good enough for someone of the single father’s station.
This, paired with the unfortunate career-ending leak of Lacey and Henry’s images, compels the former to leave the palace at once without any farewell. Her absence doesn’t go unnoticed by the Prince, who is horrified to learn of Lionel’s words. Surprisingly, Eloise sides with her son, moved by his apparent feelings for the American woman. The past few days have made the Queen see the growth her son has made, especially under Lacey’s positive influence. As such, Henry and Rose make another trip to America, where, with the help of Lacey’s ex-boss, they manage to carry out a grand romantic gesture. Six months into dating, the Prince and now-child-psychiatrist-in-training get engaged, cementing their happily ever after.
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