The Princess Diaries is a heartwarming coming-of-age film directed by Garry Marshall, based on the novel by Meg Cabot. It tells the story of Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), an ordinary and awkward teenager from San Francisco, who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a small European country, Genovia.

Mia lives a relatively normal life with her single mother, Helen (Caroline Goodall), in a converted firehouse. She struggles with self-esteem issues, often feeling invisible at her high school, where she has a crush on Josh (Erik von Detten) and faces bullying from popular girls like Lana (Mandy Moore). Her best friend, Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), is her constant support, while Lilly’s brother, Michael (Robert Schwartzman), secretly has a crush on Mia.

Mia’s life takes a dramatic turn when her estranged grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), visits. Clarisse reveals that Mia is the sole heir to the throne of Genovia, following her father’s death. Overwhelmed by the revelation, Mia is reluctant to take on the role of a princess but agrees to undergo “princess lessons” with her grandmother.

The transformation begins, with Clarisse teaching Mia the etiquette, poise, and responsibilities of royalty. However, Mia’s journey is anything but smooth. She faces media scrutiny, awkward public appearances, and challenges in balancing her newfound royal duties with her teenage life.

As Mia’s popularity rises, she becomes the center of attention, including from Josh, who uses her status to boost his own. Meanwhile, Mia begins to understand the importance of her royal heritage and the impact she can have on Genovia. After a series of missteps and public embarrassments, Mia ultimately learns to embrace her identity with confidence.

The climax occurs at the Genovian Independence Day Ball, where Mia must decide whether to accept her role as princess. Initially planning to abdicate, she changes her mind after reading a heartfelt letter from her late father. Mia arrives at the ball, announces her decision to accept her royal responsibilities, and wins the admiration of the guests.