Archduchess Sophia of Austria-Hungary arranges a marriage of convenience between her young son Franz-Josef, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and the Bavarian princess Hélène of Wittelsbach. However, as a great ball is held to celebrate their betrothal, Franz-Josef takes no notice of Hélène, but instead spends the night waltzing away with Hélène's younger sister Elisabeth. Against his mother's will, Franz-Josef marries Elizabeth, but his 16-year-old bride finds it very hard to adapt to her new role as Empress.
