After watching A Christmas Prince, a few people told me there was another “beloved” Netflix Christmas romcom that I should watch: The Princess Switch (not to be confused with Hallmark’s Switched for Christmas although the confusion would be completely understandable). It stars Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame.

What’s this film about?

When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.

I once did a mock music video where my friend duplicated us and we played various members of Radiohead. It was pretty alright (I think), so this makes me an authority on twin special effects.

We begin in Chicago, the Windy Apple! Our heroine, Stacy, runs a popular bakery because she’s successful in a non-threatening way. She’s so good at baking that her coworker Kevin got them into a super exclusive baking competition hosted by the country of Belgravia. Kevin entered Stacy into the competition because she’s single and he can’t bear to see a 25+ year old woman alone.

Upon leaving work, Stacy runs into a man who tells her that Christmas wishes come true which is typical of Christmastime discussions with strangers. She then spies Paul, her ex. She combs back her hair before approaching him. This will be the moment that he realizes he loves her and never should have let her go. But unfortunately for Stacy, he does not because he has a girlfriend.

Initially, Stacy was hesitant to attend the baking competition, but after learning that her former boyfriend is taking his girlfriend on a romantic trip, she hops on next flight to the non-descript country of Belgravia.

Stacy and Kevin (and his daughter) arrive and tour the Christmas markets. Stacy spots a man who looks just like the stranger who lied to her about Christmas wishes. She tries to call him out on it, but the man tells her he’s just your run-of-the-mill whimsical stranger.

Stacy and co. go to Wembley Studios (?) to set up for the competition. They are approached by a rival baker who is so snooty that she spills coffee on Stacy. She runs off to clean up and bumps into a woman with a cheap blazer and her face.

They made Vanessa Hudgens put on a fake English accent. I should’ve expected this, but I didn’t and now I’m sad. Faux-English Stacy asks Actual Stacy to meet with her in an hour so that she can give her expert opinion on the royal wedding cake. The baker agrees, but can’t say anything about this chance encounter to anyone. She dips from sightseeing with Kevin and his kid to go look at a cake and not eat it.

As it turns out, Faux-English Stacy doesn’t want Stacy to study a cake; she wants to swap places for two days so that she can understand what it’s like to be a peasant. Classic. Stacy agrees but only if Kevin’s daughter can be given a ballet scholarship. Careful, Stacy. That could get you 14 days in jail or more if you’re Lori Loughlin.

The first challenge of the switch comes when Prince Edward (Faux-English Stacy’s betrothed) comes a-knocking. Edward isn’t thrown by his fiancee’s replacement, so this is a marriage destined for greatness. Edward leaves and, after putting on a hat that says “Chicago” on it, so does Faux-English Stacy.

Faux-English Stacy heads to the quaint cottage she shares with Kevin and daughter. It is implied that Faux-English Stacy wants to get it on with Kevin.

Actual Stacy begins adjusting to her twin’s regal life. She speaks with Faux-English Stacy’s governess who reveals that the royal lady has had it hard because both of her parents are DEAD PARENTS™. Actual Stacy starts liking Edward when she finds out he’s into lists and is stuffy, just like her! Heart eyes emoji.

The next morning, Stacy wears the same blazer to her breakfast meeting with the King and Queen.

Unfortunately for Actual Stacy, Edward joins the meal. He was meant to be away for this two-day swap, but decided he should spend time with his wife-to-be instead. Edward even presents Actual Stacy with a tacky tiara as an engagement gift. I thought he would’ve done that when they got engaged, but better late than never. While Edward is fooled, the King isn’t so sure about this girl and asks one of his staff to spy on Actual Stacy.

Back at the cottage, Faux-English Stacy burns breakfast. Kevin’s daughter becomes suspicious.

Actual Stacy goes on a horse ride with Edward. He gets all hot and bothered by her riding outfit. They trot out to a green screen and have a slight bit of conflict, but that plot point is dealt with easily so as not to prevent their perfect love from happening.

After the horse adventure, Actual Stacy phones her twin. Faux-English Stacy confesses that Kevin’s daughter has figured it all out and she’ll be working with the kid on making the swap a success. Actual Stacy tells her royal counterpart to get her ass back to the palace as their cover is sure to be blown. Faux-English Stacy pretty much says no.

At a charity do, Actual Stacy is forced to play the piano. Edward, who got her into this mess, helps her out. They then have an obligatory romantic gazebo moment.

Faux-English Stacy has her own moment with Kevin.

 

While wearing a too short skirt for a royal, Actual Stacy convinces Prince Edward to buy toys for orphans. He agrees to do it. This leads to the Stacys having a close-call when they find themselves in the same toy store. They escape quickly after some shenanigans.

Both couples have more cozy moments with kissing involved.

After these touching scenes, the women swap back to their original places. But not before the king’s spy snaps pictures of the two together. He runs over to deliver the photos to the king, but ends up handing them over to an insistent queen. She mulls over whether or not to say something to her husband, but is influenced to not do anything by that weird stranger.

It’s the day of the baking competition. Things go slightly awry due to the fact that the snooty baking lady secretly sabotaged Stacy’s station.

While that’s happening, Faux-English Stacy confesses something to Edward, but we’re not privy to the details of that conversation. The royal couple races to the baking competition.

Actual Stacy is announced as the winner and is to be given a medal by the prince and Faux-English Stacy who have just arrived. The audience and Kevin gasp upon seeing the women’s identical faces.

The couples go somewhere more private and Faux-English Stacy reveals the whole plot of the film. She goes on to say that Actual Stacy should win more than the baking competition; she should win the crown. Faux-English Stacy explains that she can’t be a queen because she’s just a normal girl.

Actual Stacy is less than enthused by this prospect and dashes off, leaving Faux-English Stacy to make out with Kevin. Actual Stacy and Edward create a big scene in front of the baking championship audience which is just what the tabloids want. Edward doubles down on his proclamations of love and proposes after two days of knowing Stacy the Baker.

At the reception, the weird elf stranger-man gives a knowing look to no one in particular as if this was all his doing.

REVIEW

To be honest, this is one of the better Christmas romcom films, but let us remember that the bar is low. Vanessa Hudgens does a decent job of playing two characters. Kevin seemed like a nice guy and had a sweet and supportive personality. A common issue with royal films is the “royal” element. The princes have no personality whatsoever. They’re just “proper” and that’s as far as the character development goes.

The magical stranger was ultimately needless. He didn’t affect the plot in any real way except maybe slightly influencing the queen to not tell the king about the pictures. He didn’t even magically fly away or turn out to be Santa. This was the true disappointment of the film.

Oh, and there was no need for a baking rivalry either.

Rating: 3 out of 5 wrinkled blazers.

STRAY THOUGHTS

• When I hear Belgravia, I think of the ads I used to see for the Belgravia Hair Clinic. Based on this, I choose to believe this country pioneered a successful version Rogaine and this is the source of their wealth.
• I’m glad Stacy wears a Chicago hat at all times otherwise I wouldn’t know where she’s from.
• Belgravia? Wembley? Jesus, just say the country is England already.
• I would love it if one of these fake romcom countries was Eastern European and the American actors had to try to put on a non-offensive accent.
• Every time Actual Stacy changes costume, Edward makes a GASP face. The reveal loses its impact when it’s done 3-5 times over the span of an hour.
• The royal family needs a royal clothing steamer.
• Kevin’s daughter loudly asks Santa for a new mother. Later, Kevin implies that he’s divorced. Serious burn on that mom.
• Isn’t baking messy? Why is there not even a bit of flour on their aprons?
• While writing this review, I watched a puppy Golden Retriever have a grand old-time eating grass and climbing on things. He was great.