The Prince & Me (2004)

 

The Prince & Me - 2004

Coming up next we have 2004's "The Prince & Me", a story about a prince who comes to America looking to have a good time.  What he finds is completely unexpected: someone to share his future with.

The film's cast includes Julia Stiles, Luke Mably, Ben Miller, Miranda Richardson, James Fox, Devin Ratray, and Eliza Bennett.

The royal part of our story takes place in Denmark.  The country is ruled by King Haraald, ably supported by his wife Queen Rosalind, and their children Crown Prince Edvard and Princess Arabella.

Crown Prince Edvard is a bit of a playboy, preferring fast cars and pretty women to the duties he's brought up to perform.  So, when he sees a commercial for wild college girls in Wisconsin, USA, he's all in.

He informs his family that he wants to undertake a period of study in America.  They are very hesitant, but they reluctantly allow him to go.

So, with his own personal butler named Soren, Crown Prince Edvard becomes simply "Eddie" and arrives in Wisconsin at the university of his choice.

The dorm rooms and their first taste of college life are a bit of a culture shock.  Looking around, Soren says, "I thought you had to be convicted of a crime to live in a place like this."  And their roommate is certainly less than desirable.

After settling in, Eddie and Soren hit the local college hot spot, where Eddie finds Paige Morgan, a hard-working student who dreams of becoming a doctor.  Their introduction is awkward to say the least.

Paige really lets Eddie have it after he asks her to take her top of for him.  Thinking she's one of those wild Wisconsin college girls he saw on the TV commercial, he's completely out of his league with her.

They end up sharing a chemistry class and become lab partners.  Paige is less than thrilled, especially when she has to get Eddie out of his dorm room to attend class.  Apparently, he's too busy eating breakfast in bed and having his boxer shorts ironed by Soren.  She's more than a little exasperated.

Eddie starts thinking he needs to take college life a little more seriously, especially because he likes Paige.  He gets a job and, of course, Paige trains him.

One night, he gets up the courage to ask her out properly.  His initial overtures are very formal and when she appears a bit puzzled he changes tactics.  "Oh, right, yes.  How do you put it colloquially?  Um...yo, dog, there's a mad party kickin' at my crib if you want to roll down there with me," he says as she laughs.

Their relationship progresses to the point that Paige invites him home to meet her family on a college break.  He endears himself to them.  They all really get along with him.

And Eddie and Paige turn a whole new chapter in their relationship.  They fall in love.  This is especially evident when they return to school.

Eventually, a reporter finds Eddie and takes pictures of Paige and him together.  He has to confess to Paige that he is the Crown Prince of Denmark.  She is a little taken aback and needs time to gather her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Eddie's father, King Haraald, has become very ill, necessitating Eddie's presence in Denmark immediately.  They call him and summon him home.  The king will abdicate, and Eddie will take his place as monarch.

Eddie leaves Paige a note, and it is enough for her to decide that she wants to be with him and fly to Denmark.

Paige arrives in Denmark in the middle of a parade in which the royal family is taking part.  She screams Eddie's name, but he doesn't hear her above the noise of the crowd.  She's recognized by members of the crowd as Paige Morgan from the newspapers.  And suddenly Eddie is made aware of her presence.

To the wild cheers of the crowd and the astonishment of the royal family, Eddie whisks Paige away on horseback.

At the palace, Eddie is met by fierce opposition from his parents, most especially his mother.  "In a few weeks time, you will ascend the throne as king, and I will let nothing stand in the way of that.  Certainly not some tawdry little affair with a gold digging American girl who dreams of becoming the next Princess Di," says the queen.  However, the king is brought round and allows Paige to stay.

Eddie and Paige spend a lot of time together, and he enjoys showing her a bit of his country.

The queen, however, casts a disapproving eye every time that Paige makes a move.

Her views change, though, when she sees firsthand how her son has grown as a man.  He went to America as a party boy and he returned to Denmark as a man who can confidently lead Denmark.

The queen summons Paige and tells her that she may be the best thing that has happened to the monarchy in a long while.

Extending the hand of friendship, Queen Rosalind takes Paige deep into the jewel vaults and allows her to choose anything she wants for the Coronation Ball.

Eddie and Paige share a tender moment during the ball, watched by a proud King and Queen.

Unfortunately for Eddie, before the evening is out, Paige calls off the engagement.  She tells him that she still has things she wants to do in life, like become a doctor and not give up on her dreams.  After a hug, they part.

Eddie is crowned King of Denmark without Paige by his side, but watched by his family.

Back in Wisconsin, Paige graduates from college and is ready to go on to med school.

Eddie arrives as a surprise guest.  He tells Paige that he will wait for her to finish med school so they can be married.  Paige says, "Denmark isn't ready for a queen like me."  Eddie replies, "Well, then, they'll have to be.  Because I am."  The two fall into each others arms and kiss.

Cast rundown:

   Julia Stiles................................Paige Morgan

   Luke Mably................................Prince Edvard

   Ben Miller..................................Soren

   Miranda Richardson....................Queen Rosalind

   James Fox.................................King Haraald

   Devin Ratray..............................Scotty

   Eliza Bennett.............................Princess Arabella

And that's it for The Prince & Me.  Ironically, this film was released one month before the real Crown Prince of Denmark, Frederik, was married to Australian Mary Donaldson in a ceremony attended by royalty from all over the world.  The date was May 14, 2004, seventeen years ago today.

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