The premiere of Love Is in the Heir is all about meeting people. We meet Princess Ann Claire, a rebel who has rejected the royal lifestyle in search of her own identity, which means living in Los Angeles, dating the wrong kind of guy and pursuing a career as a country singer.

We meet her cuddly dog, her trainer-boyfriend Richie (who thinks Pabst Blue Ribbon and frozen burritos make for a romantic night), her trusty assistant Michael and, finally, Mandana, her proper and engaged sister. We also learn a few things: Ann Claire is a dog fancier, she loves to burst out into song, and she doesn't mind it when she's fed pizza while taking a bubble bath.

Most importantly, we meet the Princess' parents, as they deliver the ultimate ultimatum: Ann Claire must find a suitable husband before the annual charity ball or she'll be cut off financially and have to move London with them. But maybe she can make the whole country-music thing work. After more than a little bit of panic, the princess embarks on her quest...


With her parents' ultimatum hanging over her head like a heavy and bothersome tiara, the princess gets down to the business of finding a man and landing a record deal. So, she does what any princess would do first: She calls her assistant.

Fearing the loss of his job if Ann Claire loses her parents' money, Michael reluctantly springs into action and makes a chart to record the progress of Ann Claire's upcoming accomplishments. He also helps her find a guitarist by hosting some tryouts. A shaggy dude named Scott gets the gig mainly because of his good looks and his astrological sign (he's a Scorpio, in case you're keeping score).

On the gotta-getta-man front, the princess meets with a Millionaire's Club matchmaker, who promises to hook her up with the right kind of guy (see: proper and rich). Sadly, that means that Richie gets the boot, which happens after a game of mini golf, naturally. That's a hole in one all right--right through the heart.


Ann Claire is ready for the dating world, but is the dating world ready for Ann Claire? Her workouts with her personal trainer--who just so happens to be a former b-f--are more emotionally strenuous than anything. And even though she thought her blind date with restaurateur and dog lover Jeff went well, he gave it the thumbs down.

Good thing her music career is in good shape. Oh, wait, Scott the guitarist leaves her, and legendary vocal coach Seth Riggs questions her ability. Even a couples facial with assistant Michael barely eased her pain. Luckily, the duo picked up a new guitar player at the instrument store. We'll have to see where that goes. As for now, all of the stress pushes Ann Claire back into the arms of Richie and his perpetually bad hair.

Good thing her family is leaving her alone. Oh, wait, is that her sister on the phone? Yep, and sis is coming for a visit and a royally nerve-racking checkup...
The princess' on-again, off-again relationship with Richie is...on again! That's comforting to Ann Claire. What isn't so comforting, though, is that call from her proper princess sister Mandana, announcing a surprise visit. Ann Claire's assistant Michael busily prepares the house for Mandanna's arrival: He cleans, he throws out the trash, he even makes her a sign that welcomes her as..."Madonna." That's not good sign--in many ways.

The sisters have a tense talk about their divergent lifestyles while shopping. But nothing gets Mandanna's you-know-whats in a bunch more than when the crew goes out to see Richie modeling in an underwear show. She just can't approve of Richie, even fully clothed. Even though she doesn't understand Ann Claire's love life, Mandana warms up to her music when she gets a taste of it during a practice session with the princess' new guitar player.

A heart-to-heart chat leaves the sisters going their separate ways on a good note. And Ann Claire is determined to break it off with Richie, once and for all. Yeah, right.
After breaking Richie's heart for good (no, really, it's over, and the hurtful ending proved that), the princess can focus on herself. So, she gets a new trainer, Barry, who gets her pumped up.

Her music career is also shaping up: Ann Claire books some studio time and records with new bandmembers. Then she and Michael call record companies and musicians to set up appointments for a Nashville trip.

However, this wouldn't be Ann Claire's life without a little man trouble. Michael promises her a good night at a speed-dating event. But after meeting a poop-loving tattooed freak, it's a bust. Oh, and that gig he booked? It's at a retirement home. Ann Claire sings her heart out, and they love her for it. Well, most of them do.

But what's a country star without a little heartache?
After Michael's speed-date and retirement-home debacles, Ann Claire decides to hire a new assistant. Too bad she forgets to tell him.

Michael wakes up to meet Baz, a superassistant who's well dressed and has just prepared a gourmet meal for the princess. After an initial freak-out, Michael finds the only person who can relate to his situation: Ann Claire's former b-f, Richie. After a few rounds of drinks, Michael decides to take on Baz at his own game.

Michael cleans himself up and caters to the princess' every need during a publicity photo shoot. He even sets her up on another date with a cowboy. Baz, however, gets country star Alan Clark to drop in and give Ann Claire some advice. It looks like Baz will top Michael, until the princess overhears the uptight aide slamming her singing ability. She cans him on the spot and apologizes to Michael, because loyalty is really what this royalty needs right now.
With her demo done and a trip to Nashville just around the corner, Michael suggests that Ann Claire make a music video for her single "Rubber Hits the Road"--and he's even found a director.

Hunky auteur Mikki meets the princess in a bar and impresses her instantly with his good looks, monster truck and big, uh, cowboy hat. It's a match made in country-music heaven--could he be the answer to her career problems and her love-life issues? Ann Claire certainly hopes so. Christian the choreographer, however, is a different story--he questions Ann Claire's boot-scooting talents, pushing her to her breaking point.

After a couple of missteps, plus a little drama and one puking dog, the video for "Rubber Hits the Road" is completed and welcomed into the world with a surprise video-premiere party. The night even includes a guest appearance by Richie, who gives Ann Claire a necklace and wishes her good luck during her Nashville adventures. Good, because she needs all the help she can get.
The princess (and Michael) are off to Nashville, armed with her song, "Rubber Hits the Road," and dreams of landing a record deal. But the country-music mecca is tough: The two receive a chilly reception while just trying to get in to the Sony offices. Things get even frostier when the label's reps hear Ann Claire's tunes. Capitol Records is slightly warmer, but the suits there ultimately give Claire the brush-off. The folks at indie label Big Tractor Music seem hopeful and give Ann Claire encouragement for her big showcase. Sadly, a local newspaper doesn't like her live show so much, and the reaction is mixed.

Deflated--and questioning just about everything--Ann Claire and Michael stop by a children's hospital to talk and sing for the kids, who love and admire the princess. The hopeful visit reminds Ann Claire that music is her true passion, no matter what the uptight Nashville record execs have to say.

But to heir is human, and Ann Claire walks into her house just in time to find an invite to the Cinderella Ball, the event that marks the deadline imposed by her parents for meeting a man and getting a job. Rubber hits the road? It's more like the you-know-what hits the fan.
With no recording contract or proper man to speak of, Ann Claire is feeling the agony of defeat. Worse yet, she's facing a life without financial support from her parents after she flies to London to tell them what she's accomplished (not much). Michael attempts to prepare the princess for her fate by landing Ann Claire an interview with a temp agency, which goes horribly, and a waitress gig at Mel's Diner, which goes, uh, horribly.

When she's totally down and out, who comes to the princess' emotional rescue? Ah, it's Richie and his bad hair! He takes Ann Claire on a surprise date and treats her like a real princess. So much so, she considers bringing the redheaded personal trainer to meet the royal folks. Alas, she comes to her senses, and Richie gets dumped--again!--for the 10 billionth time.

As Ann Claire prepares to face the music with her parents (is that country music, by the way?), her sister calls with a surprise plan, while Richie, a few drinks into depression, plots his own bombshell with Michael. Oh boy, this is gonna be good...
So, Ann Claire is off to jolly ol' England to face her parents and show them what she's accomplished in her life--and love life. Well, she isn't feeling so jolly, because she hasn't accomplished much. No record contract. No man. Her sister Mandana attempts to help by setting up a blind date with the dashing James, who offers to smile all pretty at the annual charity ball where she'll perform for family and friends.

And it might've worked, if Richie and Michael hadn't jumped on a plane and crashed the party. Just as Ann Claire was receiving applause for her singing (what do those Nashville record execs know anyway?), Richie enters the ball. Ann Claire is confused. Her parents are confused. James is confused.

After a tense dinner with a drunk and drunker Richie, Ann Claire's dad sees what's up and summons the family to deliver his judgment. Sadly, because Ann Claire was unable to get a man or a record deal, he cuts her off financially.

The next morning, the princess tells Richie so long (for good this time!) and ponders where she'll go next. It certainly isn't back to her sweet house in Los Angeles; she got kicked out of it. Or anywhere in the limo, which isn't hers anymore. Maybe it didn't totally work out as planned. But with every obstacle, another opportunity opens (or so they say), and as Princess Ann Claire leaves us, she's more determined than ever to make her own way in the world.
The Facts: The granddaughter of HIH Princess Shams of the Pahlavi Dynasty, Princess Ann Claire is the eldest of three daughters raised in London.

The Royal Treatment: Ann Claire is rebelling against the stereotypical life of a traditional princess. She has moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a country-music singer. And much to her parents' dissatisfaction, she dates questionable men who are the furthest thing from royalty. Her parents have delivered the following ultimatum: Find a suitable suitor, or move back to London with them. If she chooses neither, she'll be singing the blues, financially cut off and left to her own devices.




The Facts: HH Prince Shahbaz and Beatrice Anne live in London and are fed up with their daughter's actions.

The Royal Treatment: Just like any parents, they want the best for their daughter. And just like any parents, they want it their way. Princess Ann Claire's firm and intimidating father wants her to marry the right man. Her traditional and refined mother, however, has moved on to the next phase and is already talking about babies. And the country-music thing? Um, they're not so into that.




The Facts: Stuck in the crossfire, Princess Ann Claire's Los Angeles assistant-friend sees her dilemma firsthand.

The Royal Treatment: Who better to help a gal find a guy than her assistant? Besides chiming in with, say, fashion decisions and being a shoulder to lean on, the playful Michael encourages Princess Ann Claire's musical endeavors. He'll even sing her wake-up songs while massaging her feet. What a pal!




The Facts: She may be Princess Ann Claire's younger sister, but her wisdom is priceless.

The Royal Treatment: Well-heeled, proper and engaged to a wealthy man, Mandana is the image of a perfect princess. Others are constantly judged against her refined tastes and full embrace of the royal lifestyle. Of course, all of this regal treatment never stops the two sisters from bickering every now and then.


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