THE ‘ROYAL’ ROMCOMS WE LOVE FROM HALLMARK (HOW I GRADE THEM!)
Tropes are a favorite thing to use in storytelling. Romantic tropes range from objectively annoying to subjective preference. One that I would categorize as the latter is the royal romance trope. Given that there are three new romances about to drop on Hallmark in March, I thought today’s discussion would be fun to look back on the big Hallmark Royal Romance movies, and how I grade them, too! All just for fun.
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THE ‘ROYAL’ ROMCOMS WE LOVE FROM HALLMARK (HOW I GRADE THEM!). #RoyalRomances #Royal #Romcoms #Movies #JessicaSipos #AndrewWalker #SamHeughan #NatalieHall Share on XYears ago, I put together a little “royal romance” list featuring the Hallmark titles, but honestly, looking back at it, I’m unimpressed with how I put together that list. I didn’t really create a “full” list of titles even with excluding the Christmas titles, it was just incomplete and the lacking is painful. At least to me it was. Still, maybe there was a reason (like the fact that I published it to coordinate with one of the royal weddings) why I limited myself to specific titles (namely the ones that were about princes). Today we’ll be more encompassing, although I will likely still exclude some of the many Christmas royal romances because we’re not celebrating Christmas just now. This said, we’ll look at the ones that aren’t so seasonal and predict which of the three new movies I’ll like best! Let’s have some fun.
HALLMARK ROYAL ROMANCE MOVIES
FIT for a PRINCE
An aspiring fashion designer meets a prince which turns her world upside down. Natalie Hall is the lead in this 2021 title. ★★★
LOVE on the DANUBE: ROYAL GETAWAY
This one is set on a cruise, and is one of three love stories that debuted on Hallmark+ when the streamer rebranded last year. In this story, Jessica Sipos plays a woman who takes her honeymoon trip alone and meets a charming European man who isn’t exactly who he seems to be! This is one I haven’t seen (in full) yet, but it’s sweet, plus Jessica is a favorite because of her role as Sarah in Chesapeake Shores (a now cancelled show from Hallmark). ★★★1/2
MY SUMMER PRINCE
Taylor Cole stars in this film about a woman who falls in love with a man she doesn’t realize is a prince! Based on my notes (review) of this one, the heroine knows who he is prior to the third act breakup which makes the film a little bit more unique. ★★★★
ONCE UPON a PRINCE
Inspired by one of my all-time favorite novels, this film tells the story of an ordinary girl falling in love with a prince. The novel, by Rachel Hauck, is the first of three in a series, all of which are sweet. ★★1/2
A PRINCESS for CHRISTMAS
When I set out to make this list, my “rule” was to exclude the Christmas films because I think part of what makes Christmas movies fun is watching them during the season and in a sense I suppose “saving” them for then. However, I’m breaking my rule for this one for three reasons, which are as follows. Even with its little production flaws, I think it’s darling. Secondly, I think this was the first royal movie I really saw from Hallmark so it has a “nostalgic” place in my royal romances list. Finally, because Sam Heughan stars in the lead role and we all know he’s a star people love now; I like to remember that I loved him in this long before that star power. ★★★★
Stream, at publication, on Plex; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video (find the rest of the titles on Hallmark+, at publication)
ROYAL HEARTS
This one is a little more unique than some of the concepts because it has James Brolin as a rancher who discovers he actually is heir to a throne, one that if he doesn’t except will not exist thanks to a rule looking to take over the kingdom. It’s cute and fun, and I admire that it takes a different trope approach. It also has Cindy Busby too! ★★★
THE ‘ROYAL’ ROMCOMS WE LOVE FROM HALLMARK (HOW I GRADE THEM!). #RoyalRomances #Royal #Romcoms #Movies #JessicaSipos #AndrewWalker #SamHeughan #NatalieHall Share on XROYALLY EVER AFTER
After the perfect courtship and finding her ideal mate, Sara believes that Daniel is the one. Only there’s a tiny hitch that he didn’t tell her which is he’s a prince, complete with a kingdom and everything! ★★★
ROYAL MATCHMAKER
A king hires a talented matchmaker to find the ideal match for his son, only perhaps that will be the matchmaker herself. ★★★★
A ROYAL RUNAWAY ROMANCE
Wanting to experience a bit of life before she assumes the throne, a woman goes on an adventure to see if there could be something between her and a painter she meets. While en route, she has to deal with a frustrating bodyguard! ★★★
A ROYAL WINTER
Set during the winter season, but not Christmas specific, this one is sweet and follows a tourist who has a chance meeting with a cute local who turns out to be heir to a throne! Frequent British screen star Samantha Bond stars with Meritt Patterson in this title. ★★★
SMOOCH
Kellie Martin stars in this film about a girl who sets up her mom with a newcomer with amnesia whom she believes to be a prince straight from one of her fairytales. ★★★
A WINTER PRINCESS
A princess keeping her identity secret helps plan a resort’s 50th anniversary. This is another title featuring Natalie Hall and has Chris McNally as her co-star. ★★★
Stream, at publication, most of these titles on Hallmark+
HALLMARK MARCH 2025 ROYAL ROMANCES; predicting how I’d grade them!
THE RELUCTANT ROYAL ★★★★
ROYAL-ish ★★★1/2
THE ROYAL WE ★★★
What do we think? How accurate will I be with these? I really want to like Royal-ish because it’s William Mosley (from The Chronicles of Narnia), and I tend to like Andrew Walker’s (The Reluctant Royal) movies, but there is also the chance that these rating can be flipped. Which ones do you think you’ll like?
EVEN MORE ROYAL ROMANCE at Christmas
These titles also play with the royal trope, but since they’re set at Christmas, I decided not to prominently spotlight them. That’s a list for another day!
A Christmas Carousel
Christmas at the Palace
Crown for Christmas
A Not So Royal Christmas
Once Upon a Holiday
One Royal Holiday
Private Princess Christmas
A Royal Christmas
A Royal Christmas Crush
A Royal Corgi Christmas
A Royal Queen’s Christmas
Royal New Year’s Eve
The Royal Nanny
Unwrapping Christmas: Mia’s Prince
Stream, at publication, all of these titles on Hallmark+
How many of these have you seen? Do you like the royal romance trope? Or are you over it? Which new movie do you predict you’ll like best? Which ones sounds least interesting? Comment all of your ‘Hallmark Royal Romance Movies’ thoughts down below in the comment section. Let’s talk.
Photos: Hallmark Media
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I don’t recall seeing any of these, although they seem like movies I’d like. I don’t get Hallmark at my house. Plus the tv is mostly background noise for me.
I’m often writing/working on things for the blog when I play a Hallmark movie. Sometimes that means I’m not fully engaged, but I feel like most of these are also ideal for that type of viewing. Plus, sometimes if I really like it, I’ll replay them without the work. :)