Mia Thermopolis is a bright but terribly shy and gawky teenager whose goal in life is to survive each school day with a minimum of attention and embarrassment. Unfortunately, her wish to be invisible is thwarted when her estranged grandmother arrives and delivers the shocking news that she's a real-life princess -- and heir to the throne of Genovia! Furious and incredulous, the reluctant royal agrees to take "princess lessons" and make the biggest decision of her life -- in three weeks. And so begins a comical-transformation towards poise and princess-ness when she finds herself in the middle of a media storm, jealous schoolmates and a plot to take over her country!