Watch A Princess for Christmas

Set in the quaint English countryside, A Princess for Christmas tells the heartwarming story of a newly orphaned girl, Jules Daly (played by Katie McGrath), and her journey to a fairy tale world where she encounters royalty, romance, and the true meaning of family. After the sudden death of her sister and brother-in-law, Jules becomes the sole guardian of her nieces and nephew, Milo, Maddie, and Gabby. Struggling to make ends meet, Jules works as a maid in a hotel in New York. Her life takes a surprising turn when she receives an invitation from her estranged grandpa, the Duke of Castlebury (portrayed by Roger Moore), to spend Christmas with him and his family in England.

Jules and the children embark on a grand adventure to Castlebury Hall, the Duke's majestic estate, which boasts grand halls and immaculate gardens. She is warmly received by the Duke's butler, Paisley (played by Miles Richardson), who tells her stories of the grandeur of the estate. However, the Duke's plans for his granddaughter are not what she expected - he wants to introduce her to his son, Edward (played by Sam Heughan), who is next in line for the throne. He has hopes that their meeting will lead to a royal union - which is not exactly what Jules had in mind.

As Jules settles into life at the castle, she begins to enjoy the traditional holiday customs of the family. She goes ice skating and takes carriage rides with Edward, and bonds with the children who are delighted to be surrounded by so much grandeur. However, Jules experiences some moments of discomfort as she discovers that the Duke's wife, Lady Margaret Delacourt (played by Charlotte Salt), is not happy with her grandson's interest in Jules. It turns out that Lady Margaret has plans of her own to secure Edward's engagement to Lady Arabella Marchand (played by Leilah de Meza).

The festive mood is dampened by Lady Margaret's callousness towards Jules, who she sees as an unworthy match for her grandson. The hostility creates a rift between the Duke and Jules, who feels that she has overstayed her welcome. In a bid to avoid further conflict, Jules decides to leave Castlebury, but not before she spends one last magical evening with the children.

Jules' departure triggers a series of unexpected events that culminate in a dramatic rescue, leading to a heartwarming conclusion. The marriage plans that the Duke has in mind for his grandson change in the light of new developments, and Jules discovers a sense of belonging in a place she never imagined she could call home.

The performances in A Princess for Christmas are outstanding, with Katie McGrath shining as Jules, who brings a sense of authenticity and vulnerability to her character. Roger Moore delivers an extraordinary performance as the Duke, who is stern and intimidating at first, but softens as Jules wins over his heart. Sam Heughan's performance as Prince Edward is convincing, portraying the struggle of a man who is caught between his desire to please his family and his growing attraction towards Jules.

A Princess for Christmas is a holiday classic that captures the essence of love, family, and magic. Its well-crafted narrative is a mix of humor, drama and heart-warming moments that make it ideal for family viewing. While the storyline is not entirely original, the beauty of the cast, scenic locations, and intricate details make this movie worth watching.

A Princess for Christmas is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.