Paige Morgan is a dedicated pre-med student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, diligently working towards her ambitious goals. On the other side of the ocean, Denmark’s Crown Prince Edvard leads a carefree lifestyle as a playboy, often neglecting the royal duties expected of him by his family, including his parents, King Haraald and Queen Rosalind.
Inspired by a provocative commercial that features Wisconsin students showing off, Edvard decides he wants to experience the American college life. He informs his royal parents of his plan to attend college in Wisconsin, but wants to do so without revealing his true identity. To assist him, the Queen sends his majordomo, Søren, and upon arrival, Edvard instructs Søren to keep his status secret and calls himself 'Eddie'.
In a twist of fate, Eddie meets Paige at a local bar where she is working. In a misguided attempt to mimic the commercial, he asks her to take off her shirt, only to receive a dousing of drink from Paige, who is understandably offended, leading to Eddie being escorted from the establishment. Their relationship takes a rocky turn when they are paired as lab partners for an essential organic chemistry course, crucial for Paige's aspirations of medical school. She sternly warns Eddie not to interfere with her studies, especially after he sleeps through a lab experiment.
As Eddie begins to run low on funds, he takes a job at the deli section of the bar, and Paige reluctantly lends him a hand during his first shift. Slowly but surely, they start to mend their initially fractious relationship. While Paige excels in her science classes, she faces challenges in English literature. Eddie, making use of his previous education, steps in to help her comprehend the works of Shakespeare, while Paige teaches him practical skills around the house, including the intricacies of laundry.
Eager to immerse himself in American culture and unfamiliar with local holidays, Paige invites Eddie to her family's dairy farm for Thanksgiving. Here, Paige’s father candidly shares the struggles of sustaining their small farm, and in a show of camaraderie, Eddie uses his mechanical expertise to improve a riding mower for a race—an event he ultimately wins. However, the victory is marred by confrontation when Keith Kopetsky, a jealous rival, physically attacks Eddie after the race. After tending to his injuries, Paige and Eddie share their first kiss, marking a turning point in their relationship.
As the school year progresses, Eddie and Paige prepare for their final exams, seeking brief moments of intimacy among their studies. They share passionate kisses in the library stacks, but their romantic bubble is burst when they are discovered by members of the Danish tabloids. Following the chaos, Paige learns Eddie's true identity, which prompts her to walk away from him, heartbroken and confused, especially when she receives news from Eddie’s mother about his father’s serious illness, compelling him to return home.
In a climactic twist, during an oral exam about Shakespeare, Paige comes to realize her profound love for Edvard and sets out to find him. She embarks on a journey to Denmark, only to find herself stuck in traffic due to a royal parade. Seizing an opportunity, she exits her taxi, but the crowd recognizes her from the tabloids and draws Edvard's attention. In a bold move, he mounts his horse and takes her back to the castle after a swift parliamentary session.
Despite the Queen's initial disapproval of Edvard's choice, King Haraald gives his blessing, encouraging Edvard to follow his heart. Edvard proposes to Paige, who joyfully accepts. As tensions rise, Edvard's maturity shines through when he mediates a dispute between workers and employers in a parliamentary setting, allowing the Queen to realize the positive changes brought about by Paige’s presence in his life. However, during a lavish coronation ball, Paige faces an internal conflict regarding her dreams of providing medical aid in Third World countries, prompting her to break off the engagement and return home.
After King Haraald abdicates, the now-crowned Edvard grapples with his newfound responsibilities, ultimately arriving just after Paige’s graduation. With determination, he professes that she is his choice, vowing to wait indefinitely for her to fulfill her dreams, demonstrating his unwavering love and commitment.
