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Characters & Themes

A Christmas Prince (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 92 min · English
Echo score 68
JustWatch #33,939 2
Directed by
Alex Zamm
Starring
Sarah Douglas, Honor Kneafsey, Theo Devaney, Alice Krige, Richard Ashton, Ben Lamb

A driven aspiring journalist is sent to Aldovia to cover a charming prince who may be about to abdicate. While undercover, she uncovers royal secrets and finds herself unexpectedly falling for the prince, despite his reputation as a playboy. As their connection deepens, she faces a difficult choice: maintain her professional integrity or embrace a budding romance with a prince.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like A Christmas Prince
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Christmas Prince (2017)

Where can you watch A Christmas Prince? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

A Christmas Prince Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of A Christmas Prince (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Amber Moore

    played by Rose McIver

    Amber is an ambitious journalist whose determination drives her to uncover the truth about the royal family. Her resourcefulness shines as she adopts a new identity to remain close to Prince Richard. As she navigates palace politics, Amber's character evolves, revealing her compassion and courage.

    • ✍️ Journalist
    • ❤️ Courageous
    • 🎓 Educator
  • Prince Richard

    played by Ben Lamb

    Prince Richard is a charming yet conflicted heir to the throne, balancing his royal duties with his personal emotions. His journey reveals a sensitive side, marked by the burden of expectations and the desire for love. Richard's character development underscores the challenges of leadership and the search for identity.

    • 👑 Royalty
    • ❤️ Compassionate
    • 😔 Reluctant Leader
  • Princess Emily

    played by Honor Kneafsey

    Princess Emily is a spirited young royal who longs for connection and understanding in a world that limits her inheritance due to her gender. Over time, she forms a bond with Amber, showcasing her playful yet loyal nature. Emily represents the innocence and hope for a more equitable future.

    • 👸 Princess
    • 🤝 Friendship
    • ⚖️ Equality
  • Simon

    played by Theo Devaney

    Simon is the cunning cousin of Prince Richard, driven by ambition and jealousy. He poses a significant threat to the royal family with his unscrupulous schemes for power. His character embodies the darker aspects of royal intrigue, contrasting with Richard's more noble intentions.

    • 🦹‍♂️ Antagonist
    • ⚔️ Ambitious
    • 🌪️ Devious
  • Queen Helena

    played by Alice Krige

    Queen Helena is a loving yet regretful mother, whose secrets about her family's past deeply affect Richard. She serves as a guiding figure, helping her son come to terms with his identity. Helena's character illustrates the complexities of maternal love in a royal context.

    • 👑 Mother
    • ❤️ Supportive
    • 🎭 Regretful

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Setting

Where and When Does A Christmas Prince Take Place?

The setting of A Christmas Prince (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie is set during the Christmas season, a time of celebration and family gatherings. It captures the spirit of connection and introspection that often accompanies the festive period, juxtaposed with royal obligations and personal revelations.

Location

Aldovia

Aldovia is a majestic and luxurious kingdom known for its grand palace where royal affairs unfold. The palace serves as a backdrop for both romantic and political intrigues, with its opulent interiors housing secrets and family legacies. The surrounding woods offer a contrasting natural beauty and adventure, highlighting the kingdom's enchanting charm.

  • 🏰 Palace
  • 🌲 Woods
  • 📜 Royalty

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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2 major themes

A Christmas Prince Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is A Christmas Prince (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Identity

    Identity is a central theme, as characters navigate their true selves against societal expectations. Amber's journey is marked by her struggle to reveal her real identity while Prince Richard grapples with the truth of his past. Both characters ultimately find their authentic selves through love and acceptance.

  • Royalty

    The theme of royalty explores the burdens and responsibilities of being a ruler. Prince Richard's reluctance to ascend the throne highlights the conflict between personal desires and duty. The film delves into the complexities of royal life, emphasizing the importance of compassionate leadership.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Character & theme questions

A Christmas Prince Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about A Christmas Prince (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is A Christmas Prince set?

The movie is set in Aldovia, a fictional European-style kingdom. The story primarily takes place in the grand royal palace, which serves as the center of both romantic and political intrigue. The surrounding woods provide a contrasting natural landscape that adds to the kingdom's enchanting charm.

  • aldovia
  • setting
  • palace
  • location
  • christmas movie
Q2

What is Aldovia like in the movie?

Aldovia is depicted as a majestic and luxurious kingdom centered around an opulent palace. The setting features grand interiors that house royal secrets and family legacies, contrasting with the natural beauty of the surrounding woods. The kingdom embodies a fairytale-like quality with its royal traditions and festive Christmas atmosphere.

  • aldovia
  • kingdom
  • palace
  • woods
  • royal setting
Q3

When does the story take place?

The movie is set during the Christmas season, a time of celebration and family gatherings. The festive period creates a backdrop of connection and introspection, juxtaposed with royal obligations and personal revelations. While no specific year is given, the Christmas setting establishes the movie's warm, holiday tone.

  • christmas
  • holiday season
  • time period
  • festive
Q4

What are the main themes in A Christmas Prince?

A Christmas Prince explores two central themes: Identity and Royalty. The Identity theme follows characters navigating their true selves against societal expectations. The Royalty theme examines the burdens and responsibilities of being a ruler, exploring the conflict between personal desires and duty.

  • themes
  • identity
  • royalty
  • meaning
  • message
Q5

What does the Identity theme explore?

The Identity theme centers on characters struggling to reveal their true selves amid societal expectations. Amber's journey involves uncovering her real identity while Prince Richard grapples with truths about his past. Both characters ultimately find their authentic selves through love and acceptance, reinforcing the movie's hopeful message.

  • identity
  • self-discovery
  • authentic
  • character growth
Q6

What does the Royalty theme explore?

The Royalty theme explores the burdens and responsibilities of being a ruler in Aldovia. Prince Richard's reluctance to ascend the throne highlights the conflict between personal desires and royal duty. The film delves into the complexities of royal life, emphasizing that compassionate leadership requires balancing both personal emotions and obligations.

  • royalty
  • prince
  • throne
  • duty
  • leadership
  • responsibility
Q7

Who is the main female lead in A Christmas Prince?

Amber Moore (whose real name is Rose) is an ambitious aspiring journalist sent to Aldovia to cover the royal family. She adopts a false identity to remain close to Prince Richard and uncover the truth. Throughout the story, her resourcefulness and compassion shine as she navigates palace politics while developing genuine feelings for the prince.

  • amber
  • rose
  • journalist
  • main character
  • protagonist
Q8

Who is Prince Richard in the story?

Prince Richard is the charming yet conflicted heir to the Aldovian throne. He balances his royal duties with personal emotions, often feeling the burden of expectations placed upon him. His journey reveals a sensitive side and his struggle with the demands of leadership while searching for genuine connection and love.

  • prince richard
  • heir
  • royal
  • love interest
  • protagonist
Q9

Who is Princess Emily in A Christmas Prince?

Princess Emily is a spirited young royal who longs for connection and understanding in a world that limits her inheritance due to her gender. She forms a bond with Amber, showcasing her playful and loyal nature. Emily represents innocence and hope for a more equitable future within the royal family.

  • princess emily
  • young royal
  • inheritance
  • supporting character
Q10

Who is Simon and what role does he play?

Simon is Prince Richard's cunning cousin, driven by ambition and jealousy. He poses a significant threat to the royal family through his unscrupulous schemes to seize power. Simon embodies the darker aspects of royal intrigue, serving as the primary antagonist who contrasts with Richard's more noble and compassionate intentions.

  • simon
  • cousin
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • threat
  • power
Q11

Who is Queen Helena in the movie?

Queen Helena is the mother of Prince Richard and serves as the reigning monarch of Aldovia. She is a loving yet regretful figure whose secrets about her family's past deeply affect her son. She guides Richard as he comes to terms with his identity, illustrating the complexities of maternal love within the royal context.

  • queen helena
  • queen
  • mother
  • royalty
  • parent
Q12

What genre is A Christmas Prince?

A Christmas Prince is a romantic comedy in the Christmas film genre. The movie combines romance and humor with a fairytale-like storyline centered around a prince, a journalist, and royal intrigue. Its light, festive tone emphasizes holiday charm and romantic fantasy over dramatic tension.

  • genre
  • romance
  • comedy
  • christmas movie
  • holiday film

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Christmas Prince, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Christmas Prince tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Cozy Royal Christmas Romances like A Christmas Prince

Heartwarming stories of love and transformation in a festive royal setting. If you enjoyed the charming, festive world of A Christmas Prince, discover more movies like it. This collection features gentle romantic comedies where love blossoms in a royal castle during the holiday season, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting, lighthearted stories with a touch of Christmas magic.

  • cozy
  • festive
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • uplifting
  • charming
  • Tone: light, whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, predictable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically follow an ordinary protagonist who, often through a case of mistaken identity or an undercover assignment, finds themselves immersed in the world of royalty. Amidst the festive cheer, they uncover a family secret, help resolve a minor crisis, and unexpectedly fall for a prince or princess, leading to a fairytale ending.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific and delightful combination: the fantasy of royal life, the warmth of a Christmas setting, and the predictable, satisfying arc of a wholesome romance. They are united by their low intensity, light tone, and uplifting, feel-good conclusions.

Undercover Identity Romance Movies like A Christmas Prince

Stories where a professional secret complicates a growing, forbidden attraction. Fans of A Christmas Prince who enjoyed the premise of an undercover journalist falling for her subject will find similar stories here. These movies explore the charming conflict and emotional dilemma that arises when a professional secret jeopardizes a budding, genuine romance, all leading to a satisfying resolution.

  • romantic
  • whimsical
  • hopeful
  • gentle
  • uplifting
  • dilemma
  • Tone: light, romantic, gentle
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character assuming a false identity for a job or personal goal, only to develop real feelings for someone within the world they are investigating. The plot revolves around the increasing difficulty of the lie, the fear of exposure, and the ultimate choice between duty and love, which invariably resolves happily.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared plot mechanism and emotional core. They focus on the specific thrill and anxiety of a secret identity, the sweetness of a connection built on a lie that becomes real, and the catharsis of a confession that strengthens the relationship.

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Movies Like A Christmas Prince

Similar movies to A Christmas Prince: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

A Christmas Prince (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about A Christmas Prince in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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