Review

A Right Royal Ruckus: Regal Rom-Com Rides the Hallmark Holiday Carousel

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a royal scepter met a Hallmark movie scriptwriter in a snowbank, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" is here to satisfy your curiosity. This gloriously predictable romp through the picturesque and possibly fictional Aldovia is the kind of sequel that Hallmark holiday movies are made of, with all the twinkling lights, saccharine romance, and mistletoe mischief you expect—and some royal debacles you probably don’t.

Our beloved scribe-turned-princess, Amber, finds herself navigating the treacherous terrain of royal protocol and wedding planning. The stakes are higher than in a Hallmark holiday movie marathon, with a potential international fiasco looming over every lace-bedecked decision. Tea cups tremble as she juggles her journalistic instincts with choosing the perfect centerpieces. Spoiler alert: The centerpieces win, but only after a few close calls with absurdly pompous advisors and a suspiciously omnipresent tiara.

Amber’s fiancé, Prince Richard, maintains his princely charm, embodying every charming cliché one can find in Hallmark movies. He’s dashing, determined, and somehow still oblivious to the chaos swirling around him like snowflakes in a snow globe. "Is Aldovia in financial trouble? Did we forget to hire a florist?" Worry not, because Amber is on the case, typing furiously on her antique typewriter, because laptops simply aren’t romantic enough for this narrative.

The supporting cast features a delightful array of characters, like Amber’s hilariously oblivious dad, whose fish-out-of-water routine rivals any holiday ham. Then there’s Simon, a royal schemer whose machinations could be foiled by, well, a toddler with a good grasp on toy trains but somehow still provides ample dramatic tension.

In true Hallmark holiday movie fashion, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" delivers on its promise to warm your heart and tickle your funny bone with more royal shenanigans than you can shake a scepter at. Whether it's the bake-sale-level political intrigue or the heartwarming, if slightly bewildered, journey to the altar, this movie ensures you'll laugh all the way to next Christmas.

Pack a blanket and cocoa, because "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" is a festive flick that wraps you in a royal red bow of holiday charm and cheer, faux British accents included.