The Princess Diaries 2001

In the humble confines of San Francisco’s Grove High School, Mia Thermopolis (no royal treatment here) navigates the treacherous landscape of adolescence alongside her single mother, Helen, in their unique home - a refurbished firehouse. Shunned by her peers and crippled by a fear of public speaking, Mia finds solace in her crush on Josh Bryant, who is unfortunately besotted with Lana Thomas, the epitome of popularity. The outcast’s only true friends are Lilly Moscovitz, an equally unpopular social misfit, and Michael, her older brother, whose affection for Mia remains unrequited.

However, Mia’s life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers that she is the sole heir to the small European kingdom of Genovia from her estranged paternal grandmother, Clarisse. This revelation sets off a chain reaction as Mia learns that she has inherited the throne from her recently deceased father, Philippe. Clarisse, determined to transform Mia into a refined princess worthy of ruling Genovia, sets her sights on molding the young woman in her image. Overwhelmed by the sudden weight of royal responsibilities, Mia initially resists Clarisse’s efforts until her mother convinces her to attend the “princess lessons” with the promise that she can still decline the crown if she chooses.

As Mia undergoes a glamorous makeover and is chauffeured around town in style by Joe, the queen’s head of security and confidant, who becomes a father figure to her, her schoolmates begin to treat her with newfound respect. However, this transformation comes at a cost as Mia’s increasingly hectic schedule strains her relationship with Lilly. In an effort to appease her best friend, Mia confides in Lilly, swearing her to secrecy. But when the truth is sold to the press by Paolo, the hairdresser responsible for Mia’s makeover, the paparazzi descend upon her like a swarm of bees.

Despite her embarrassment at her first state dinner, Clarisse reveals that she finds Mia’s clumsiness endearing and suggests they spend quality time together, canceling their lessons for the following afternoon. As they bond over their shared experiences, Clarisse shares the story of Mia’s parents, who loved each other but chose to divorce amicably so they could pursue their own passions. Philippe remained in Genovia to eventually become king, while Helen returned to America with Mia to offer her a “normal” childhood.

As Mia’s celebrity status soars, Josh extends an invitation to join him at a sun-kissed beach party. Despite the temptation to indulge in this fleeting moment of freedom, Mia’s decision to attend comes at the expense of neglecting her dear friend Lilly and abandoning plans with Michael. The paparazzi ambushes Mia at the beach bash, capturing intimate moments that will soon be splashed across the headlines. Josh capitalizes on the chaos by planting a kiss on Mia in front of the snappy photographers, while Lana colludes with the press to snap Mia’s silhouette, clad only in a towel, a photograph destined to shock and awe the tabloid-reading public. The following day, these salacious images are plastered across the newspaper, prompting Queen Clarisse to sternly rebuke Mia for her reckless behavior.

Crushed by the fallout, Mia seeks solace with Lilly, eventually finding the courage to confront Lana about her bullying ways. As a gesture of goodwill, Mia extends an invitation to both Lilly and Michael to join her at the royal ball, although Michael declines, still reeling from the sting of Mia’s initial rejection. Following Clarisse’s heartfelt apology for overreacting, she reveals that Mia must publicly relinquish her claim to the throne at the ball, a daunting prospect that sends Mia into a tailspin.

As panic sets in, Mia discovers a poignant letter penned by her late father, which rekindles her sense of purpose and resolve. With Joe’s timely intervention, Mia’s car is rescued from the downpour, ensuring she arrives at the ball just in time to accept her role as Princess of Genovia alongside Clarisse, with Helen and Lilly beaming with pride.

After donning a stunning gown, Mia takes to the dance floor with Clarisse, before sharing a romantic moment with Michael, who has finally forgiven her for past transgressions. As the evening draws to a close, they steal away to the courtyard, where their blossoming feelings culminate in a tender first kiss. The film concludes with Mia soaring above the clouds on a private plane, accompanied by Fat Louie, her faithful feline companion, as she pens a heartfelt entry in her diary, detailing her plans to relocate to Genovia and start anew alongside her mother.