While her mother, queen Wilhelmina, presides over the government in exile's war effort, Juliana feels banished but safe in Canada. She becomes a good friend of president Roosevelt's first lady Eleanor. Meanwhile she suspects her spouse prince Bernhard's infidelity. When mother takes her fanatical support for the resistance so far as to intend deposing collaborating MPs in favor of royal nominees, Juliana and her entourage consider she may be ready to succeed to the Dutch throne and preside over the reconstruction after the Allied landing and victory.

The Allies have won the war in Europe, liberating the Netherlands so the Orange dynasty can return home. However for years the humanitarian situation of natives and refugees from the colonies remains tragic, Juliana tries to help. In the Dutch East Indies, a movement for Independence unilaterally declares a republic, Queen Wilhelmina favors military repression, Juliana the retreat which ultimately will happen. Juliana bears a daughter, but her health is affected by a refugee infection. She also discovers Bernahard's London affair, but the marriage survives. Old-fashioned Wilhelmina refuses to abdicate, but worsening health finally allows the government to make Juliana first regent, later announce her succession to the throne.

Juliana succeeds her aging mother's throne. During the Cold War, Queen Juliana's was a pacifist opposing not only the repression of the Indonesian secession, in 1949, but also against the death penalty. This exasperated the Dutch governments, the military and war and resistance heroes, including Bernard. Marital tension between Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard was aggravated by Princess Marijke's bleak medical prospects, and his objections to her dubious 'faith healer' Greet Hofmans.

As reigning Queen surrounded by ambitious confidants, Juliana has mounting political ambitions and craves power, incompatible with the constitutional system of government by a parliamentary majority government. She opposes Berhard also on his Bilderberg conferences.