An English gentleman, Rudolf Rassendyll, finds himself in the fictional kingdom of Ruritania. By sheer coincidence, he bears a striking resemblance to the country's king, Rudolf V. On the eve of the coronation, the king is drugged and kidnapped by his evil half-brother, Michael.
To prevent political chaos, Rassendyll is persuaded to impersonate the king until the real ruler can be rescued. This perilous undertaking plunges him into a world of intrigue, danger, and romance as he navigates the treacherous court and outwits his enemies