The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Hallmark's Royal Movies: Jaw-Dropping Best and Worst Film Tropes Revealed!

Hallmark Channel movies take viewers on a journey to an alternate realm, and the channel's movies based on royal themes elevate the fantasy experience to new heights.

In Hallmark's royal romantic comedies, fans anticipate the temporary suspension of reality, but are overwhelmed with the abundance of clichés. The primary cliché revolves around a scenario where a commoner encounters a member of royalty and becomes completely caught off guard by this revelation.

In the film "A Royal Queens Christmas," the main character, Dee Dee (played by Megan Park), inadvertently crosses paths with Prince Colin (portrayed by Julian Morris) while delivering treats for her cousin. Dee Dee becomes infatuated with the prince without realizing his true identity, a common theme seen in many Hallmark movies centered around royalty.

Another familiar cliche, widely accepted by audiences, revolves around an American individual who is enlisted by the royal family to assist the king or his child. Ultimately, this person discovers her own fairy tale ending.

In A Royal Runaway Romance, the roles are reversed as the princess takes on the role of the hopeless romantic, while her love interest is a seemingly ordinary American bodyguard. This 2022 film embraces the familiar storyline of two individuals falling in love during their confinement in a car, only to discover that they are truly meant for each other once their road trip concludes.

Hallmark maintains a certain formula throughout their movies, where the queen initially dislikes the foreigner but eventually changes her mind when her son threatens to renounce the throne. Nevertheless, each royal film provides viewers with a condensed fairy tale experience that unfolds within a two-hour timeframe or less.

See below for our unofficial ranking of the Hallmark Channel's royal catalog, featuring the prominent tropes that stand out in each rom-com, both positive and negative.

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A Guide to (and Unofficial Ranking of) Hallmark’s Royal Movies: Best and Worst Film Tropes

Hallmark Channel movies transport viewers into a different world, and the network’s royal-themed films bring a whole different level of fantasy.

Fans of Hallmark’s royal rom-coms are accustomed to the abundance of tropes that make it easy to suspend reality. One recurring theme is the familiar scenario of a girl meeting a boy, only to be completely surprised by the revelation that he is actually a royal. A prime example of this is seen in A Royal Queens Christmas, where Dee Dee (played by Megan Park) unknowingly encounters Prince Colin (portrayed by Julian Morris) while delivering sweets for her cousin. The fact that Colin hails from an undisclosed country adds to the allure, allowing Dee Dee to develop feelings for him without being aware of his true identity. This particular trope appears in almost every royal-themed production by Hallmark.

Another overused plotline, popularly accepted in the US, involves an American person being hired by the royal family to assist the king or his child, and eventually discovering their own happy ending.

On the other hand, A Royal Runaway Romance takes a slightly different approach by presenting the princess as a hopeless romantic and her love interest as an ordinary American bodyguard. Released in 2022, this film embraces the common storyline of two individuals forming a connection during a prolonged car journey, only to realize that they are meant for each other once the trip concludes.

Hallmark may adhere to a certain formula - wherein the queen initially dislikes the foreigner, but eventually changes her mind when her son threatens to abdicate the throne. Nevertheless, each royal movie offers viewers a condensed fairy tale experience, wrapped up in a two-hour package or less.

Regardless of its cliché nature, the scenario of riding in a one-horse open sleigh with someone who unexpectedly turns out to be next in line for the throne of a small country is a trope that Hallmark fans eagerly anticipate. Fortunately for these viewers, it seems that the network has no plans to discontinue their rinse and repeat style any time in the near future.

Scroll down for Us’ unofficial ranking of the Hallmark Channel’s royal catalog — and see which tropes stand out in each rom-com, good and bad:

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21. Royal Hearts (2018)

Rancher Hank, portrayed by James Brolin, receives news of an overseas inheritance. Eager to explore the new territory, he invites his daughter, Kelly (Cindy Busby), to join him. Upon arrival, they are astounded to discover that Hank has inherited not only an estate, but an entire kingdom, complete with sheep, expansive land, and a majestic castle.

The Most Frustrating Trope: While inheriting a kingdom may seem like a dream, it becomes perplexing when the main character, Kelly, must sacrifice her own life to pursue a romantic relationship with Alex (Andrew Cooper), an unexpected commoner.

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20. A Winter Princess (2019)

Carly, a princess (Natalie Hall), joins forces with Jesse (Chris McNally) to organize a grand celebration for the 50th anniversary of a ski resort. As they collaborate at the lodge, Jesse remains unaware that Carly is of royal descent and does not reside in the vicinity.

Hallmark Trope We Can't Stand: Just as Carly is developing feelings for Jesse, their budding romance is abruptly interrupted by the charismatic Prince Emile (portrayed by Brendon Zub). Unsurprisingly, this unexpected arrival creates a temporary rift between the new couple, even though it becomes evident that Carly and Prince Emile share no prospects of a future together.

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19. A Royal Winter (2017)

Maggie's spontaneous trip to Europe takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Adrian, a charming prince smitten with her right from the start. Despite their undeniable connection, Adrian's mother expresses concerns about him being romantically linked with a tourist. Hallmark's Most Unrealistic Trope: The notion that Maggie can effortlessly abandon her life and effortlessly transform into a princess after a serendipitous meeting during her vacation, although enchanting, stretches the imagination.

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18. Fit for a Prince (2021)

Prince Ronan (portrayed by Jonathan Keltz) becomes instantly captivated by the alluring fashion designer Cindy (played by Natalie Hall) from the moment they cross paths. As Cindy meticulously tailors his attire for the upcoming royal ball, their connection intensifies with each passing moment.

Cindy's excitement is boundless as she twirls around, unable to contain her anticipation. She joyfully embraces the notion of donning numerous exquisite gowns, deliciously pondering the possibility of transforming into a regal princess one day.

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17. A Princess for Christmas (2011)

Shortly after taking on the role of guardian for her niece and nephew, Jules (Katie McGrath) receives an unexpected invitation from a distant family member to spend the holidays in Europe. Upon her arrival, Jules discovers a surprising revelation: her late brother-in-law came from a royal lineage. Now, Ashton Prince of Castlebury (Sam Heughan) and his father Edward Duke of Castlebury (Roger Moore) are eager to establish a relationship with the children, adding an extra layer of complexity to Jules' newfound responsibilities. In the realm of Hallmark films, this storyline may be considered one of the most implausible tropes.

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16. The Royal Nanny (2022)

Undercover MI5 agent Claire (played by Rachel Skarsten) unexpectedly finds herself facing unexpected challenges as she assumes the role of the royal nanny to Princess Rose (portrayed by Katie Sheridan) and her children, ensuring their safety throughout the holiday season. As Claire endeavors to win the affections of the little ones, she discovers that gaining the approval of their charismatic uncle, Prince Colin (enacted by Dan Jeannotte), could not only simplify her life but also add an element of excitement.

Hallmark's Hilarious Trope: It's all fine and dandy to fall head over heels for someone who shares the same passion, like pranks, but Claire might have taken it a tad too far when she won Colin's heart by stuffing a car full of ornaments.

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15. A Royal Corgi Christmas (2022)

American dog trainer Cecily (Hunter King) is hired to tame Prince Edmond's (Jordan Renzo) new corgi for the annual Christmas ball, with the intention of making him look good. Initially, Edmond buys the puppy as a gift for his mother, but Cecily insists on training the dog together, leading to a deepening connection between the two.

Wildest Hallmark Trope: Hallmark is famous for presenting improbable scenarios in a believable manner, but this particular meet-cute takes the cake. While it is not uncommon in royal movies for an American to be hired by the nobility for a specific task, the idea of a dog trainer landing a prince as a result is quite far-fetched.

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14. Royal New Year’s Eve (2017)

When Lady Isabelle (Hayley Sales) commissions aspiring designer Caitlyn (Jessy Schram) to create a dress for the royal New Year’s Eve ball, Caitlyn's life takes an unexpected turn. Hoping her boyfriend, Prince Jeffrey (Sam Page), will propose, Lady Isabelle's request not only throws Caitlyn into a world of challenges but also sparks a connection between her and Jeffrey. As Caitlyn confronts her boss' attempts to undermine her, she begins to question if pursuing her dream of designing is her sole aspiration in life.

Hallmark’s Classic Trope: Just like in many royal rom-coms, the destiny of Caitlyn and Jeffrey remains uncertain until the very end, when they finally meet eyes at a magnificent royal event. Fortunately, Caitlyn steals the show with her stunning, self-designed gown, becoming the belle of the ball.

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13. One Royal Holiday (2020)

Anna (played by Laura Osnes) graciously invites a stranded mother and her son into her home during a relentless blizzard. Little does she realize, they are actually part of the esteemed Galwick royal family. As fate would have it, Prince James (portrayed by Aaron Tveit) is not only unattached but also captivated by Anna's charm.

Challenging even the most implausible of Hallmark tropes, Anna and James manage to embark on a mesmerizing sleigh ride amidst their snowed-in predicament, solidifying their blossoming love.

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12. Once Upon a Holiday (2015)

In an unprecedented royal role reversal, Princess Katie (played by Briana Evigan) makes a clandestine escape from her entourage during her visit to New York City, where she unexpectedly crosses paths with a kind-hearted Samaritan named Jack Langdon (portrayed by Paul Campbell). When Jack gallantly intervenes to save Katie from a potential mugging, the pair experiences an instant chemistry, leading to the blossoming of their own enchanting love story. However, Katie's mother vehemently disapproves of her daughter assuming a false identity, creating a significant obstacle in their path to happiness.

Hallmark’s Accepted Trope: When a man triumphantly recovers a woman’s stolen possessions, particularly in NYC, it's only natural for them to develop a profound love for each other. A perfect example of this is Jack effortlessly retrieving Katie’s camera without encountering any obstacles.

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11. A Royal Runaway Romance (2022)

Princess Amelia of Bundbury (played by Philippa Northeast) falls in love with the artist who painted her portrait. Determined to see him again, she plans a trip to Chicago. However, she unexpectedly finds herself in California with no means to travel to her destination. Thankfully, her uncle's bodyguard, Grady (portrayed by Brant Daughtery), comes to her aid and offers to drive her. As they embark on their journey, they soon realize that their bond goes beyond being mere travel companions. Hallmark's time-tested cliché: Long-distance drives pave the way for everlasting love, according to Hallmark.

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10. A Christmas Carousel (2020)

Whitaker, like previous princes, explores his hidden passion with the support of his newfound love interest, Lila. With her by his side, the prince successfully convinces the duke of the profound significance of his artistry, not only for himself but also for their kingdom.

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9. Once Upon a Prince (2018)

During his visit to the United States, Prince Nate (played by Jonathan Keltz) develops feelings for Susanna (portrayed by Megan Park) after they serendipitously meet near her parents’ garden store in Georgia. Their blossoming romance captures media attention, compelling Nate to disclose his true royal status and convince his mother that Susanna is his ideal partner, despite the fact that she is not from Cambria and therefore not legally permitted to marry him.

Hallmark's Endorsement: Susanna and Nate's encounter is undeniably cliché, as the prince comes to the rescue of his damsel in distress when her car breaks down on the roadside. However, the undeniable chemistry they share makes it impossible to dismiss.

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8. Christmas at the Palace (2018)

As Katie (Merritt Patterson), a former professional ice skater, is entrusted with the task of instructing Princess Christina (India Fowler), King Alexander's (Andrew Cooper) daughter, for a delightful Christmas performance, an unexpected bond begins to form between her and the king himself. However, doubts cloud Alexander's mind as he questions whether his people would accept his union with a foreigner, despite the happiness he finds in Katie.

Hallmark’s Traditional Theme: The act of decorating cookies and Christmas trees has frequently been portrayed as a guaranteed method to enhance a blossoming romance, especially in Hallmark's festive films featuring a single parent.

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7. My Summer Prince (2016)

As Mandy Cooper, an aspiring PR executive, sets out to restore the damaged reputation of Prince Colin, she finds herself becoming more than just a fan. However, the potential consequences of their budding connection, including the risk of losing her job, start to become a reality. Adding to the complexity, Mandy discovers that Colin may not be available after all... or is he?

Critique of Hallmark's portrayal: While Prince Colin may not be flawless, it is unfair to label him as a womanizer and troublemaker simply because he is hesitant to embrace his royal responsibilities.

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6. Royally Ever After (2018)

The truth about Danny (Torrance Coombs), who happens to be the prince of St. Ives, is met with skepticism from his soon-to-be-wife, schoolteacher Sara (Fiona Gubelmann). However, as Sara gradually begins to believe his revelation, she is shocked to discover that their marriage is impossible without the approval of the king and queen.

Hallmark Comedy Gold: Sara's training takes a comical turn as she swiftly discovers the truth behind the age-old stereotype that Americans are more affectionate than royals. With strict instructions against hugging, a series of side-splitting blunders occur as she fumbles her way through mastering the art of gracefully exiting a car and riding a horse with precision.

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5. Christmas at Castle Hart (2021)

In this Hallmark movie, "The Christmas Castle", Brooke Bennett (played by Lacey Chabert) embarks on an adventurous trip to Ireland to explore her Irish heritage. During her journey, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough (played by Stuart Townsend). As fate would have it, Brooke and her sister happen to be in the same town where Aiden resides. However, a case of mistaken identity results in Brooke being entrusted with the task of organizing the castle's Christmas party, mistaken for a renowned event planner. This twist on the classic Hallmark trope involves Brooke assuming a false identity, pretending to be someone she is not, all in the hopes of securing a better job and possibly even finding a royal partner.

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4. Crown for Christmas (2015)

Allie (portrayed by Danica McKellar) finds herself fired from her maid job in New York City and takes on a temporary position as Princess Theodora's governess (played by Ellie Botterill). Despite an initially cold reception from Theodora, Allie manages to form a bond with the young princess. Romance blossoms between Allie and King Maximillian (played by Rupert Penry-Jones), but their happiness is put at risk by the possible involvement of Countess Celia (portrayed by Alexandra Evans) in the king's life, which could disrupt their happily ever after.

Hallmark’s Cheesiest Trope: Allie and Max's eyes lock while they’re facing off in a good old-fashioned snowball fight … and instantly become smitten with one another.

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3. A Royal Queens Christmas (2021)

Prince Colin, played by Julian Morris, unexpectedly falls in love with Dee Dee Paretti, a native of Queens, New York, portrayed by Megan Park, when he accidentally collides with her and causes her dessert box to topple over. In an attempt to make amends, he agrees to accompany the piano for the rehearsals of a local Christmas children's show until Dee Dee discovers his true identity.

Hallmark's Comically Cliché Trope: Amid their blossoming romance, Colin masquerades as Santa Claus while Dee Dee takes on the role of an elf, creating a memorable moment that almost leads to their first kiss. Though this playful dress-up scene may be familiar to Hallmark viewers, as expected, a sudden shift in the plot takes place, deviating from the lightheartedness of the role-play.

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2. Royal Matchmaker (2018)

Matchmaker Kate Gleason (played by Bethany Joy Lenz) is tasked with the mission of finding a suitable wife for Prince Sebastian of Volavia (portrayed by Will Kemp), despite his initial reluctance. As she carries out her duties, Kate unexpectedly finds herself developing a strong bond with the prince and yearning to be his ideal match.

Hallmark’s adorable trope of Kate landing the prince she was hired to set up is simply irresistible. And let's not forget how Hallmark always manages to pair American employees with their royal bosses whenever the opportunity arises.

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1. A Royal Christmas (2014)

Seamstress Emily Taylor (Lacey Chabert) is taken aback when she discovers that her boyfriend, Leo (Stephen Hagan), is actually Prince Leopold of Cordinia. While Leo is confident that Emily will be accepted into royalty, his mother, Queen Isadora (Jane Seymour), is not enthused about the idea of having an American as her daughter-in-law. Will their contrasting backgrounds lead to their downfall as a couple, or will Emily charm the queen with her fashion skills and American charisma?

Hallmark's Most Predictable Storyline: Leo concealing his true identity from girlfriend Emily follows a well-worn narrative in the network's films - and it takes center stage in this particular movie. The Hallmark cliche of an American sacrificing her life for a royal and struggling to win over her future in-laws comes in a close second.