Duchess Margaret never thought she’d be queen of her beloved Montenaro. But after the king unexpectedly passes, she’s next in line for the throne—an inheritance she’s not quite ready for.
Her whole life, Margaret’s had obligation upon obligation thrust upon her. All she wants is one second to be… well, normal. Like her ex-boyfriend and still-secret-love, Kevin. But royal duties supersede matters of the heart. As does her coronation ceremony, which is set to take place on Christmas day.
It’s just too much. That’s why Stacy, princess of Belgravia, shows up in Montenaro, along with her husband, Prince Edward and Margaret’s ex-boyfriend, Kevin, to perform a classic switcheroo.
See, Stacy is Margaret’s doppelganger. And a few years prior, when the two met, they switched lives to see how the other lived. It worked out flawlessly. This time, Stacy wants to do the same thing, for just one day, so that Margaret can spend some quality time with Kevin and, hopefully, reignite the sparks.
What could possibly go wrong? The answer is everything.
Turns out, Margaret has a wicked cousin, Lady Fiona, who looks exactly like her and Stacy. And Fiona is scheming a switcheroo of her own to steal Margaret’s inheritance.
Margaret is level-headed, honorable and quick to do what is right. She defends the weak, is kind and honest and takes a genuine interest in others. These characteristics are also true of Stacy.
Margaret shows mercy to someone that betrays her. She promises to rule her people with justice and mercy. And she runs a toy drive for orphan children. Talk about a wise and kind future queen!
Edward is a kind, thoughtful husband who cherishes his wife, Stacy. Kevin is a fun-filled, genuine man who evidently loves his family and friends.
We learn that love and marriage, although difficult, are worth the fight and the hard work. A married couple promise to love, honor and walk alongside each another.
Margaret’s coronation ceremony is held at a cathedral, conducted by Catholic priests who wear cross necklaces. Margaret tells Kevin that she feels she’s destined to become Queen.
In a wedding ceremony, a priest says, “What God has ordained, let no man separate.”
Edward tells Stacy that he can help relieve his wife’s anxiety, hinting at sex, although never actually saying it.
Fiona makes a few inappropriate comments toward married men and the men she finds attractive, often calling them “yummy” and talking about their physical features. She asks Margaret if she’s “switched” places yet with Stacy, now that Stacy is married (hinting at an extramarital affair); Margaret is appalled at the question.
A man is falsely accused of posting lewd pictures of Lady Margaret. In a quick scene, two men dance together at the royal ball. Couples kiss, flirt and hold hands. One couple gets married. Edward is briefly seen shirtless. A woman wears a cleavage-baring dress.
Edward punches a man in the face, defending his wife. Stacy shoves her captors to the floor as she flees for her life. Fiona looks in the mirror, pretending to be Queen, and exclaims, “Off with their heads!” Fiona’s minions knock Stacy unconscious with chloroform. We hear that the king of Montenaro has died.
We hear the phrase “oh my god” a few times. A girl is referred to as the “stupid cousin.” Fiona says, “We’re screwed,” and she tells her friends to “shut up” numerous times. Fiona calls Antonio a “freak” and someone else a “fool.”
Men and women alike consume wine and champagne at a royal gathering. Edward asks Stacy if she’d like a bottle of wine. Elsewhere, they joke about a mixed drink.
Fiona and her minions steal from many people. They also lie, cheat and treat others unkindly, doing whatever it takes to advance their own wicked desires. Fiona commits treason. Antonio intentionally makes Kevin feel inferior.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again is the sequel to 2018’s The Princess Switch. This G-rated flick is everything you’d expect it to be, with little in the way of surprise. Characters look alike, they switch places, trouble ensues, things work out in the end. As predictable as Hallmark itself.
That said, this Netflix family film does include some minor content concerns. God’s name is misused a few times, and harsh put-downs such as “shut up,” “stupid” and “freak” get lobbed about, too. There’s also some mild sexual innuendo and jokes present—a bit more than the original, actually—as well as a glimpse at two men dancing together. And it goes without saying that our villains attitudes are, well, pretty villainous, too.
But that’s not all. Yes, these things are present, but so are themes of honor, love and commitment. And, in the end, the loudest voice is that of justice and mercy.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
