A Royal Christmas (2014 TV Movie) User Reviews

A seasonal delight

[barryrd · 8/10 · 7 December 2015]

A Royal Christmas is a glossy piece of holiday fluff. It's Christmas and who doesn't like a well put together, seasonal movie. Well to start with, some of the critics don't. But we always look for that next classic Christmas movie to go along with Miracle on Thirty-Fourth St., Alistair Sims' or George C. Scott's Scrooge, The Bishop's Wife, Christmas in Connecticut, The Holly and the Ivy and a few more recent ones that come close to being in the classics range like Home Alone or The Santa Clause. Of course, the great ones don't come along every year.

As for this one, I really did take to the leading characters and actors in the movie, with longtime movie stalwart Jayne Seymour as the Queen, adding icing and some icy behaviour to this Christmas cake of a movie. She was impressive in her role as the mother from hell combined with her other role as an elegant and charming Queen of a fantasy land that reminds us of Monaco or Liechtenstein. Lacey Chabert, as the fun-loving seamstress/designer, is a girl with talent and personality who charms the Queen's son and the palace staff (if not the guards) and Stephen Hagan as Leopold James, the Prince Charming who certainly filled the bill as the tall, well-tailored prince madly in love with the girl of his dreams. Katharine Flynn as the wannabe bride, the Duchess of Warren, was the only weak link in an otherwise fine cast. The young couple in love are polar opposites in background and personality but a perfect example of two young people in love, in a fairy tale world of course.

The music, the sets, and the upstairs-downstairs characters and everything about the movie were smartly arranged. The supporting cast was great, from Simon Dutton as the butler (watch for a surprise!) to the family of the commoner in love with her prince. Of course, it was all in the Hallmark tradition of giving us something Christmassy to wallow in for the holidays. See it and just let yourself enjoy the treat.

The formula works

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 2 January 2016]

I enjoyed this Hallmark movie. The formula works - a girl falls in love with guy who turns out to be a prince. They travel to his European kingdom where she doesn't quite seem suitable enough a match.

The lead actors are watchable enough. Lacey Chabert isn't stunningly beautiful but she is likable and isn't annoying. Jane Seymour acts well as the disapproving queen. She is still very slim. It's refreshing to see an actress not having undergone plastic surgery, unlike some actresses of her age. Her real life daughter Katie Flynn has a role here. The prince's accent sounds a bit un royal at times.

One fault: The costumes are a bit cheap looking even taking into account it's a TV movie and not a big budget feature like "The Princess Diaries".

Worth one watch.

A charming comedy-romance in a Christmas movie

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 8 December 2016]

"A Royal Christmas" is a very good movie that works as a very good Christmas film as well. That's because it also is a comedy-romance, and one with a different twist. Many a film has been made in which the commoner American (usually) makes all sorts of mistakes and wreaks havoc in and on a royal household. Instead, this film has an American commoner who rises to the occasion and foils the witty attempts of the royal head of household. Thus, "A Royal Christmas" is much more than another tale of princess meets prince charming.

The film has a very good cast that bring the comedy off just right. The love interests are Emily Taylor (played by Lacey Chabert) and Leo James (aka, Prince Leopold, played by Stephen Hagan). Emily comes close to being too sugary at times, but fortunately, the timing in the screenplay creates switches at the appropriate moments to contain the syrup. Leo, on the other hand, starts a little cool in the first scenes, but then seems to get into his role with conviviality. There's a handful of supporting cast with smaller roles who do a lot to give life to the plot. But two other major leads stand out and guide the film to its successful finish.

Jane Seymour is sparking as Isador, Queen of Cordinia, and Leo's mother. She has a match planned for him in childhood friend and sweetheart, Natasha, Duchess of Warren (played very well by Katherine Flynn). And, she loathes the thought of Leo marrying Emily, a commoner. Her conniving to make it all unbearable for Emily mostly backfires when Emily makes friends with the royal household staff, and takes a quick day-long lesson in royal behavior from Victor, the chief butler. Simon Dutton plays Victor wonderfully. He's the one staff person who isn't intimidated by the queen, while always maintaining his proper place (of course).

Naturally, there's a happy ending in this film. There are more details and some small subplots within that add nice touches and enhance it as a Christmas movie. While it isn't loaded with laughter, the many foiled plots and scenarios just bring smiles and chuckles. As a chick flick, this would probably be rated tops. As a very good comedy-romance and Christmas film, it rates eight stars from me. It's a very entertaining movie that the whole family should enjoy.

Cute, sometimes clumsy, pretty girl plays stupid

[knofaith · 6/10 · 28 December 2014]

While there were parts that were good, and I've watched it a few times (silly but sometimes heart-warming and cute), Hallmark made the American characters appear warm-hearted but classless, goofy, and downright stupid. Royalty doesn't float around the US falling in love & marrying classless, poorly-dressed dolts who would call a queen "your majesty-ness". Further, it's highly unlikely that Prince William walked into Buckingham Palace with Kate on his arm without Kate having some serious coaching, and untrained staff would likely never serve a queen. As for the comparison to 'a princess for Christmas', the only thing I will mention is that both movies portrayed the (American) women as weak and sloppy with neither having a decent career or job, and the costumes were hideous. Jane Seymour had some good lines, but she is portrayed a heartless witch with no other purpose, and the staff is portrayed as incompetent idiots. Victor and the Baroness are the only characters I really liked. More work next year Hallmark.

Romancing the queen

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 17 July 2017]

Like many romance movies involving royalty, this one is about the sweet but plucky commoner girl vs the tradition of royalty. In this case, the evil queen opposes her son's romance with a girl from Philly and wants instead for him to marry the noble girl, a Duchess, whom he has known since childhood.

This story is not so much the story about the love of Victor and Emily as it is about Emily gaining the heart of the queen, who it turns out is maybe not so evil.

In the end, it is Emily's integrity that wins the queen's heart when she realizes that Emily is more true than herself.

Lacey Chabert always does a good job for Hallmark and here she plays the role of the tailor named Taylor very well. She sell the fact that her leaving is not just running away when she tells Leo it is the way things need to be. I wish I could say the same about Stephen Hagan. While he is quite the handsome man, he a little stiff, which may just be living up to the character of the prince. Jane Seymour is a real ice queen but that's her role. Katherine Flynn, as Natasha the Duchess, vacillates between plotting Emily's demise and actually respecting her and I don't think she is convinced of either one.

It is a nice plot device that Emily sticks to her guns and actually returns to Philly. And the response to that is obviously predictable, with a tiny twist, but it is what we really want to see in the end.

A Royal Christmas

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 20 July 2019]

7/10 - fun Lacey Chabert Hallmark flick with a royal setting and unhappy future in-laws

Liked this despite myself

[juneebuggy · 5/10 · 18 December 2014]

I liked this despite myself, it was just so horribly addictive even though you knew exactly what was going to happen about 5 minutes in, right down to the little orphan girl and the Queens first love. This has a fairy tale (Cinderella or Pretty Woman) like quality to it which I guess we all secretly covet or at least Hallmark thinks we do.

Here a prince posing as a common (college student) must reveal the truth about his royal lineage to his girlfriend -a seamstress from Philadelphia- who then must try to impress Leopold's mother, Queen Isadora when the couple travel to the castle (in the made up land of Cordinia) to spend the holidays with his family.

I did enjoy Stephen Hagon who played the Prince, just a nice guy and his love interest (Lacy Chabert) was okay too, a bit too perky maybe. Jane Seymour was actually very good here, she gave me several laughs with her sneering, cold, bitchiness.

There are some fun 'Upstairs Downstairs' or 'Downton Abby' moments as "Emily" bonds with the castle staff and I suppose this couple is meant to resemble William and Kate to further pull us into the fantasy. Regardless, I enjoyed this is a very simple sort of way. 12/16/14

Unfair:Why A Lovely Movie Like This Is Getting Hated So Much

[FilmMan47 · 9/10 · 1 February 2015]

totally unfair i would say people and critics are extremely harsh on this lovely movie.

i checked this out for one lady Jane Seymore wow this woman is like a fine wine aged so well she was a former bond girl in live & let die 007 film.

after watching a lot of Christmas & useless princess romance films specially by Disney animation or live action they suck at romance these days Disney should definitely get some lessons from this project.

this is a direct to DVD and from Hallmark Channel made for TV released a month before Christmas last year.

a Royal Christmas is a good entertainer despite the flaws it is similar to the princess diary or other famous movies but i found this better then those.

the story is about Emily an American girl who designs clothes and works at her fathers shop she dates a guy who reveals his identity soon and tells her that his name is Prince Leopold from other country upon reaching the royal palace Emily finds it hard to fit into the royals as the queen disliker her very much now how Emily finds a solution to this problem the answer is in this film.

Emily was not from a royal family and a common person but i liked the fact that not everyone was taking a dig at her but most of all they were happy to see her even the servants hearts were filled with joy.

this is something that Hollywood lacks a lot this low budget TV movie owned them,period is fun filled along with everything that a large theatrical release holds from good dialogs to great sets and that mansion was epic.

The Cast:i became a fan of Lacey Chabert after this honestly she fits into the role easily such a beauty got great eyes,Stephen Hagan is a handsome guy should be more famous,Jane Syemore what can i say she is bitchy,little cruel in her role a legend actress of our times,Katherine Flynn & Kate Laustau are two hot goddesses.

Overall A Royal Christmas 2014 is for everyone it is G rated film little bit of kissing is shown but its passable i usually avoid Christmas movies because of same plot repeated over again but this one is a pure family film my rating is 9/10.Recommended

A Royal Christmas

[studioAT · 6/10 · 5 December 2020]

Hallmark does seem to do a nice line in "I'm dating an actual Prince/King" films, and this is an example.

It's not my favourite sort of Hallmark film, but Lacey Chabert as ever manages to make it work (just about), as her character stays true to herself amongst all the royal pomp and ex Bond girl Jane Seymour's character hissing in the background.

Good fun overall.

Same old, same old (contains spoilers, sort of)

[caseybones · 4/10 · 22 November 2014]

Other than the cool castle, simply plug new characters into the formulaic Hallmark schmaltzy script and you will know 5 minutes into the story how it will end. Hallmark REALLY needs some new writers and directors! Same loud relentless non-stop music overpowering the insipid dialog.

Same old plot: Prince meets commoner, falls in love. Prince takes commoner home to meet royal Mom. Royal Mom is tyrant, wants royal son to marry royal ex-girlfriend. Royal Mom plots against commoner who is busy making friends below stairs because she is so perky and friendly. Commoner sacrifices her happiness "for the good of the kingdom". Royal Mom sees the light, does a rapid 180, and urges Prince to follow his heart. No point in going on, you know what happens from here.

Don't waste your time. There are way better things in life than this drivel.

One of the best Hallmark Christmas movies.

[Racingphan2 · 9/10 · 22 November 2020]

Watching this movie from six years ago, I'm struck by how much cheaper and lackluster the new Hallmark movies look compared to this one. Lacey Chabert is just awesome here. Unlike many of the current female leads, she portrays the gamut of emotions, breaking your heart with her tears, and warming your heart with her smile. Jane Seymour is magnificent. Her queen goes from beta horrible villain to redemption at the end.

Seriously?

[lfg-3 · 23 November 2014]

Princely boyfriend brings 'regular girl' home to the castle. Lacey Chabert character seems like such a defenseless 'victim' here of not knowing how to speak to people who just really live in a much larger house? She cowers and seems not to have any poise at all !

Would this 'Prince' really want to be with her at all? Would anyone?

They make her so mousy that when she learns anything ( like how to dance or eat an hors doeurves?). She has come into a whole different world? Really?

It's outdated and although this character comes from the 'real world' she should have basic confidence in herself which makes me feel why is this guy interested in her at all!

I wanted to like this movie but it's frustrating to see this young girl as such a 'victim!'

Festive royalty

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 28 April 2020]

There were quite a few reasons for wanting to see 'A Royal Christmas'. The title was a little corny but also somewhat appealing. The idea for the story was hardly original but sounded sweet and fun enough. Lacey Chabert is always watchable, and listenable , and generally one of the better prolific Hallmark leads, whether their festive efforts or overall. Have been on another one of my completest quests since November/December, and 'A Royal Christmas' was part of it.

As far as the films seen as part of this particular quest goes, 'A Royal Christmas' struck me as one of the stronger faring ones and found myself surprisingly quite liking it. It is not perfect or quite great, but it was to me respectfully a lot better than the more negative, with its critical reception being quite mixed, reviews led me to believe. One of Chabert's better festive Hallmark films too, and she has been in a fair few that have varied in quality.

Chabert is also one of 'A Royal Christmas' best selling points. Not everybody may warm completely to her character, she was just fine for me. Very cute without being too cutesy and amusing, her decision making didn't annoy me or ring false too much, and Chabert plays her with charm and wit. Stephen Hagan is also likeable in his role and didn't seem stiff or devoid of personality, the chemistry between him and Chabert is sweet with some playfulness here and there. Katherine Flynn doesn't overplay too much Natasha's over-confidence, which would have grated if it had been, but it's Jane Seymour's icy and regal Isidora that shines most of the cast.

Production values are also well done, especially the eteriors and interiors of the palace. So gorgeous and like a character of its own. There is a playful and charmingly script, where the dialogue doesn't flow awkwardly, and while the story is very formulaic it moves swiftly and has not too over-sentimental heart that some Hallmark films don't have enough of. Characterisation has varied with Hallmark, while the characters don't have depth at least they to me were not vanilla in personality, none pointless and all interesting in their own way. The servants for instance were amusing. Some nice moments in the soundtrack.

In that regard though, mostly the soundtrack was a little too loud and could have been utilised more subtly. At times the costumes are slightly on the cheap side, like with the nuns.

More surprises in the plot would have been more welcome and would have given it more freshness.

Summarising, not bad at all. Pleasantly surprising actually. 7/10

Loud Music Throughout

[bookandcandle · 1/10 · 23 November 2014]

I love the Hallmark Christmas movies and look forward to the new ones being released each year. The stories are delightful and uplifting with happy endings, and they are always enjoyable during the holiday Christmas season.

The concern I have is that the Hallmark movies have loud, annoying, incessant "bing-bong" music that overpowers the voices of the actors. Every word should be clear. Had to turn it off half way through, so, therefore, a low rating.

Plus, I wish Lacey Chabert would stop the silly giggling. Made the movie seem immature and childish.

Typical Hallmark

[littlelo94 · 29 November 2014]

Look, I love a cheesy romcom as much as the next girl, but can the writers PLEASE make sure the script is at least marginally accurate? There were so many peerage mistakes in this movie that really irritated me.

Lacey Chabert was charming and the Prince guy was reasonably believable as a young royal wanting to find a "real" girl but aside from that there wasn't much this film could offer. I really wish that Jane Seymour wouldn't degrade herself to projects like this (speaking as a Dr. Quinn fan).

If you enjoy the fluffy, feel-good, holiday films that Hallmark make then this film is for you. If you're after a real life Cinderella tale then look elsewhere. May I suggest "Ever After"?

3/10 stars. Sorry Hallmark. Not your best holiday movie.

I don't know why, but I didn't hate it

[cricketbat · 6/10 · 31 December 2018]

Christmas doesn't actually play a big part in A Royal Christmas. It could have taken place during any time of the year and it wouldn't have made a difference to the plot. It's also very formulaic. You know exactly where the story is going every step of the way because you've seen this story a dozen times. And yet I didn't hate it. I don't know why, exactly, but I didn't.

It was good and enjoyable but maybe if they weren't a couple, it might have been better....

[Irishchatter · 6/10 · 11 November 2016]

I decided to give this a go as I like royal romantic movies and I've seen Lacey Chabert in a couple of films. This movie was actually not a waste of time, it was enjoyable and I really liked Jane Seymour, she reminds me of Jane Fonda in the movie "Monster-in-law".I never actually seen her in movies before, so Ill be putting lots of her movies on my watch list! However, what i found lacking of the film was that Chabert's and Stephen Hagan's characters shouldn't have been in a couple in the first place. Its just, it kinda ruined the story line a wee bit like no wonder in the near end, the prince was accused by Emily that he didn't tell her that he is "nearly" engaged to that Duchess Natasha one. He probably would've married her in the first place before Emily stopped him.

I wish the story line and the characters were a little better, Thad's why I think I'll give this a 6/10 rating!

A Royal Cliché

[heidibetrug · 2/10 · 31 October 2016]

This is typical Hallmark fare; Prince studies in the States, meets apple-pie, down to earth American girl with lovingly gruff widowed dad and takes her home to the Palace to meet mom the Ice- Queen Queen and his old girlfriend lying in wait. The royal decor is hilarious with deer-in-the headlights, garish portraits, suits of armour and gold everywhere; lots of gold. And just in case we viewers have forgotten this is a holiday movie we're beaten repeatedly over the head with Christmas trees standing awkwardly in every scene. Along the way, the girl predictably makes every ugly American faux pas known to sitcoms (you just KNEW she'd drink from the finger bowl, didn't you?), mugging to make the guards laugh, dressing inappropriately at every turn and giggling loudly all the way. But alas for the Queen, her campaign against the upstart begins to come apart at its snooty seams and the American wins the hearts of all around her, just as she already has that of the Prince. But will the Queen come around as well??????? The suspense will not kill you.

An evening well spent

[drummer-897-102654 · 10/10 · 26 February 2015]

This is the perfect Christmas movie that is well written well acted and the soundtrack is perfect. Even though the story line itself centres around Leo and Emily and the Queen, every character right down to the servants gives this movie a strong foundation on which it builds itself on. All the little sub plots never leave this movie in a lull and there is an air of true Christmas spirit that leaves you wanting more. Our family enjoyed this movie together it seemed to really kick start the Christmas spirit within us and that's what Christmas movies are all about.I would easily say it's the feel good Christmas movie of the year.

Infantile

[essmom · 3/10 · 28 December 2014]

In the first two minutes of the movie, there were two product placements: One for a big box store, and the other for a coffee product. I was confused; where we still in commercial break? No in fact, this is how Hallmark chooses to finance their predictable and pedestrian pablum.

It is sad knowing the name Hallmark used to stand for high-quality, family fare. Unfortunately, they choose to produce films only children can enjoy. If you are older than five years old, don't bother.

The one thing I did enjoy it was the palace most of the movie was set in.

Excellent, enjoyable film

[rireland-198-265397 · 9/10 · 22 April 2015]

I love Hallmark Christmas movies, and I especially liked this one. It seemed a little too short, though. I noticed one of the other reviewers said that Disney should take lessons from Hallmark--guess what? Disney owns Hallmark and ABC FAMILY. Just different target audiences. But back to the movie... I liked all the actors, but it would have been nice to see Emily,s dad and her friend a little bit more. The castle and clothes were beautiful. The only thing that I found hard to believe was the village scene where nuns are selling things to raise money for an orphanage. If they are supposed to be near France (an industrialized country), why does the village look like it's set in the 1600s? Whenever an American movie has a scene in another country it always looks like something from "A Tale of Two Cities." Yes, I know, that was around 1812. Still, I really liked the movie. I watch Christmas stuff all year long. Just could have been longer. I recommend this film!

Very predictable and full of clichés

[Jenn_i · 2/10 · 5 November 2016]

This was on Netflix and because I like royalty movies and Jane Seymor, I thought to give this a try.

As the previous reviews have said, this is VERY predictable. Too typical princess/prince movie and the writing was so lazy. This has probably all the clichés you could imagine. Prince studies in America, falls in love with a girl, who is SO down to Earth that immediately everyone else likes her, except the Queen. But you don't have to wonder if the Queen will like her at the end...

And of course there is an ex-girlfriend, who is royal and who the Queen loves and wants her son to marry, the prefect match made in heaven. Yep, "never" seen that before. And what bothered me was that the girlfriend looked like 10 years older than the prince.

The acting is almost okay, not the most convincing, but not as terrible as in some other movies I've seen. Stephen Hagan lacked charm and Lacey Chabert was cute, but didn't really manage to deliver the character's feelings. Jane was the best, but not at her best. In my opinion Princess diaries' Julie Andrews was better Queen.

I think kids would love this movie, but as an adult, who has seen her share of movies, this was nothing but waste of time. The movie lost its entertainment value, because of all the clichés.

Common sense comes to the palace

[HotToastyRag · 5/10 · 11 December 2019]

If, when you watched the romantic comedy Monster-In-Law, you were on Jane Fonda's side rather than Jennifer Lopez's, you're not going to like A Royal Christmas. Usually, when you're watching a love story of two beautiful young people, you're supposed to be rooting for them. You're not supposed to be on the side of the disapproving parent who needs to "get with the times" and give his or her blessing. Unfortunately for me, I'm usually able to see the bigger picture; love doesn't usually blind me and I'm able to see the long-term problems a couple will have once the honeymoon's over.

So, in A Royal Christmas, I was on Jane Seymour's side. I love Lacey Chabert and watch her in several Hallmark movies every year. She's beautiful and adds refreshing pizazz to her characters, and through no fault of her own, in this movie I wasn't really rooting for her. She's engaged to a prince, Stephen Hagan, and when he takes her home to his English castle to meet his mother and get used to a royal lifestyle, she doesn't fit in. Since this is a Hallmark Christmas movie, the overriding theme is that love is more important than anything. In the real world, it matters when life views conflict and serious problems are identified before a marriage. But if you just want to veg out this Christmas and watch Lacey become a princess, you can rent this movie. I like her better in A Wish for Christmas, when her backbone is appreciated instead of out of place.

Great little holiday movie

[Trek Freak · 10/10 · 11 January 2017]

After all the "movies" being made these days this was a truly breath of fresh air. I've been renting/buying most of Lacey Chabert's Hallmark movies lately (some decent, some not so much) and this one by far is the best. Everyone was very relaxed and having a lot of fun. The prince guy was unexpectedly watchable (not too self-conscious and played remarkably well off of his co-stars). Even Jane Seymour seemed to be enjoying her part. So yeah, it's not an academy award winning drama or a complex spy movie... it's a Hallmark. It's on the light side and you pretty much know what's coming... except it was surprisingly engaging and highly entertaining. Best movie I've watched in a while. Give it a try.

Thumbs Down!!!....royally pathetic!

[adoptshelterpetstoday · 1/10 · 9 December 2014]

What wasn't awful about this movie?? First, I think it was awful that the plot and characters made a poor, classless attempt at trying to imitate "A Princess for Christmas"...which was a very good movie.......From the opening snowy scene in the U.S...to a female star with dark hair and same length, and big TEETH...to a disgruntled royal parent...to eventually not feeling worthy of being with a Prince...on and on and on.....in its own pathetic way, it seemed like its purpose was to make a farce out of a "Princess for Christmas."........."Emily" was just too darn giddy and annoying throughout. And the scene with her and the Prince behaving like fools, trying to get a reaction out of the guards, was ridiculous! (not funny)...The dinner table scene with the guests, Emily was just too unbelievably dumb and ill-mannered by anyone's standards.......Jane Seymour is a good actress, but she typically ended too many of her lines with an inaudible whisper.....I think the reason for the Queen's dismay of the relationship was ultimately inadequate compared to her observation of "Emily's" immature, naïve, embarrassing behavior throughout......I mean really, why would an educated person with status, the Prince, find himself attracted to such a person.......At least in a "Princess for Christmas," "Jules" was mature, responsible, and sincere...and that was a quality, enjoyable movie entirely, that had appropriate light-hearted scenes.