The Rules of Royalty Summary, Characters and Themes
The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich is a queer coming-of-age romance set in a contemporary royal backdrop. Told from alternating perspectives, it follows Jamie, a grounded and artistic American teen who learns he is the hidden son of a European king, and Erik, a crown prince bound by duty and tradition.
When Jamie is brought into royal life, Erik is tasked with guiding him. But what begins as mentorship slowly grows into something deeper and riskier.
With its blend of royal intrigue, emotional vulnerability, and forbidden love, the novel delivers both personal drama and political stakes in equal measure.
Summary
Jamie is a reserved American teen who enjoys a quiet life with his friends and single mother. On his 17th birthday, his world tilts when his mother reveals that his real father is none other than King Alexander of Mitanor.
The news shocks Jamie, but a formal invitation from the king to visit his birth country slowly sways him. Meanwhile, in the neighboring kingdom of Sunstad, Prince Erik finds himself burdened with royal obligations and forced into a world where image and duty come before emotion.
He’s been discreetly seeing a boy named Nate, but that relationship comes to an end when Erik is summoned back into the public eye to fulfill expectations — including the possibility of being paired with a politically advantageous partner. King Alexander personally requests Erik to mentor Jamie, introducing the two teens.
From their very first conversation, there is a quiet but immediate connection. Jamie is full of nerves but shows a willingness to learn.
Erik, used to the performative aspects of royalty, finds himself drawn to Jamie’s sincerity. As Jamie begins his royal orientation — which includes learning etiquette, handling the media, and attending formal events — he finds the experience disorienting but manages to steady himself, helped in part by Erik’s presence.
Their friendship grows over late-night calls and messages. Erik finds himself opening up in ways he rarely does.
Jamie, in turn, begins to feel something more than gratitude toward Erik. At a formal dinner, a moment of dancing between them lingers just a little too long, and both begin to sense that their connection might be something deeper.
However, Erik is also being pressured into a relationship with Sebastian, a well-mannered royal deemed a good match by Erik’s grandmother, Queen Amalia. While Sebastian is kind and seems interested, Erik’s heart is elsewhere.
Jamie’s first foray into the public eye is clumsy, and the press is harsh. He’s tempted to back out of this new life, but Erik convinces him to stay.
Their bond is tested again when rumors begin to swirl, and both boys must navigate the scrutiny that comes with their roles. Erik’s private life becomes entangled with public expectations, and his grandmother grows increasingly suspicious of his closeness with Jamie.
When Erik defies the expectation to fully commit to Sebastian, the situation becomes tense, and Jamie misinterprets Erik’s silence as betrayal. Their relationship reaches a more honest stage when Erik confesses his feelings and kisses Jamie.
But the stakes are high. They agree to keep their relationship a secret, aware of the consequences that could follow.
Their romance continues to bloom quietly, with stolen moments and private escapes, but tension brews beneath the surface. Jamie’s confidence continues to grow, but he still struggles with the idea that he may not be cut out for royal life.
Meanwhile, Erik’s refusal to follow the traditional path set by his family creates a rift between him and Queen Amalia. His decision to prioritize love and truth over political convenience marks a turning point.
He knows he cannot keep playing the role of the perfect prince if it means denying who he really is. Together, Jamie and Erik explore what it means to live authentically in a world that demands conformity.
Their relationship is tender, but it is also charged with the fear of being discovered. As they edge closer to public exposure, they must each choose between following the rules set before them or rewriting them altogether — risking everything for a shot at something real.
Characters
Jamie
Jamie begins his journey as an ordinary American teenager, living a quiet and creatively driven life. His world is upended by the revelation that he is the son of King Alexander of Mitanor.
This transformation from civilian to royalty forms the emotional backbone of his character arc. Jamie is portrayed as introspective and deeply empathetic, someone who feels the weight of sudden responsibility keenly.
At first, he is overwhelmed by the etiquette, scrutiny, and demands of his new role. He feels out of place among the rigid structures of royal life.
However, he gradually builds confidence through incremental victories, public appearances, and — most pivotally — the emotional support of Erik. Jamie’s insecurity, particularly around media pressure and public failure, is contrasted by moments of bravery.
One such moment is when he chooses to remain in Mitanor despite setbacks. Another is when he decides to live his truth openly.
His transformation is not about mastering royal protocol but about redefining royalty in his own terms. He becomes a symbol of change, authenticity, and courage.
His relationship with Erik becomes a mirror through which he confronts his own desires and fears. By the end, Jamie is no longer the reluctant prince but a young man willing to carry the weight of monarchy, love, and advocacy on his shoulders.
Erik
Prince Erik of Sunstad is introduced as a seasoned royal, burdened by the expectations of nobility from a young age. Unlike Jamie, Erik has long been entrenched in the ceremonial and political trappings of royalty.
He is polished yet internally conflicted. His character is defined by the tension between public perfection and private longing.
His initial role as Jamie’s mentor is a calculated political favor. But Erik quickly becomes emotionally invested, finding in Jamie a kindred spirit.
Erik’s relationship with his formidable grandmother, Queen Amalia, showcases the pressure he faces to conform. This includes romantic alliances and public image.
His budding feelings for Jamie — tender, awkward, and deeply genuine — challenge everything he has been trained to suppress. Through Erik, the story explores the price of silence and the courage it takes to defy tradition.
He vacillates between duty and desire, between his arranged pairing with Sebastian and his real affection for Jamie. The turning point in his arc is his decision to reject the scripted life laid out for him.
This act of rebellion, delivered with grace and clarity, reclaims his identity. Erik ends the book not just as a romantic lead but as a redefined prince.
He is now willing to use his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and authenticity. His evolution is one of the most emotionally resonant threads in The Rules of Royalty.
King Alexander
King Alexander is an enigmatic but emotionally grounded figure whose influence is felt long before he appears fully on the page. As Jamie’s biological father, his revelation sets the entire plot in motion.
What sets Alexander apart from other monarchs is his vulnerability. He openly admits to past mistakes, including hiding Jamie’s existence.
He is sincere in his effort to connect and make amends. Alexander walks the fine line between ruler and parent with surprising humility.
His desire to integrate Jamie into royal life is both personal and political. Yet he never comes off as manipulative.
Instead, he becomes a subtle but pivotal support system. His open endorsement of Jamie and Erik at the state ball is a moment of significant narrative weight.
It shifts public perception and reaffirms familial bonds. Alexander’s strength lies in his quiet advocacy and his understanding that leadership is as much about empathy as diplomacy.
In supporting Jamie’s identity, he also transforms the monarchy he leads. He is a key figure in driving the book’s themes of love, acceptance, and transformation.
Queen Amalia
Queen Amalia, Erik’s grandmother, stands as the principal symbol of old-world royalty. She is exacting, strategic, and emotionally distant.
She represents the pressures of tradition and the suppression of personal will in favor of dynastic interests. Amalia is not a cartoonish villain but believes deeply in the power of image and alliance.
Her insistence that Erik pursue a politically advantageous match stems from fear of instability and scandal. Still, her coldness and calculated demeanor make her a powerful antagonist.
She directly opposes the emotional openness embodied by Jamie and Erik. Over time, her failure to recognize the validity of Erik’s love leads to conflict.
Eventually, Erik rejects her worldview. Her character never truly transforms.
This lack of growth highlights the boldness of Erik’s rebellion. It also underscores the cost of clinging to archaic ideals in a changing world.
Sebastian
Sebastian is introduced as a seemingly perfect suitor — charming, intelligent, and steeped in royal decorum. He is the politically ideal match for Erik.
Yet he’s more than just a plot device. Sebastian is kind, perceptive, and aware of the limits placed on his own romantic prospects.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Sebastian genuinely respects Erik. He senses the emotional distance between them.
He is never cruel or manipulative. Instead, he is quietly heartbroken as he realizes Erik’s affections lie elsewhere.
His graceful exit from the love triangle is mature and composed. It stands in contrast to the surrounding drama and adds emotional depth to his character.
Sebastian’s arc highlights the emotional collateral of royal expectations. His storyline adds complexity and maturity to the romantic dynamics of The Rules of Royalty.
Max
Max, Jamie’s best friend from America, is a grounding presence in the story. Though physically distant for most of the book, his emotional support plays a vital role in Jamie’s development.
Max represents Jamie’s past — a world of normalcy and self-expression. He serves as a touchstone for Jamie’s true identity.
The video message Max sends late in the novel is deeply moving. It reminds Jamie of his inner strength and catalyzes a personal turning point.
Max’s unshakable belief in Jamie is a quiet counterpoint to the conditional support within royal circles. He embodies the loyalty and honesty that Jamie sometimes struggles to find in his new life.
He is a reminder that true friendship transcends status and geography. Max’s influence remains a quiet but vital thread throughout Jamie’s transformation.
Emilia’s Parents (Jamie’s Grandparents)
Though they appear briefly, Jamie’s maternal grandparents leave a lasting emotional impact. Their initial re-entry into Jamie’s life is unexpected and emotionally charged.
Later, their decision to support Jamie publicly marks a crucial narrative moment. It offers him validation from his roots rather than from royal institutions.
Their support reinforces the book’s message that family is not just about bloodline or title. It is about acceptance, love, and shared values.
They help bridge Jamie’s past and present. In doing so, they solidify his growing identity as both a royal and an individual.
Themes
Identity and Self-Acceptance
The Rules of Royalty explores identity as its central theme, particularly the tension between inherited identity and chosen identity. Jamie’s arc is defined by the upheaval of discovering he is royalty — a revelation that threatens his sense of normalcy.
He must recalibrate everything he thought he knew about himself, from his family background to his future aspirations. His identity crisis is not just about lineage, but about reconciling his creative, modest personality with the expectations of a royal institution.
Simultaneously, Erik represents the opposite conflict: he was born into royalty, but resents how it has shaped every facet of his personality. His desire to be seen beyond his princely title — to be loved for himself and not what he represents — adds complexity to his journey.
The narrative emphasizes that both boys must struggle with visibility. Jamie learns how to be seen in the spotlight without losing his authenticity, while Erik learns how to make himself visible emotionally, beyond his carefully crafted public persona.
The story reframes identity not as something assigned by blood or status, but as something forged through experience, love, and self-awareness. By the end, both Jamie and Erik make conscious choices about who they are and how they wish to be seen.
The book shows that identity is not imposed but earned through courage and emotional truth.
Duty Versus Personal Freedom
One of the most persistent and emotionally charged themes in the novel is the battle between duty and personal freedom. Erik, as a crown prince, is repeatedly cornered into political responsibilities that deny him the space to love freely or speak openly.
The arrangement with Sebastian, orchestrated by his grandmother, is emblematic of how his life is dictated by royal protocol rather than emotional desire. Every decision Erik makes is weighed against its potential political cost, which limits his capacity to live authentically.
Jamie, though new to royal life, quickly discovers that his newfound privilege comes with expectations — to behave a certain way, to adapt rapidly, and to represent a legacy he barely understands. His experience with the media and public appearances highlights how restrictive royal life can be, even for someone with a more ordinary background.
The love story between Erik and Jamie is where this theme is most pronounced. They are both asked, implicitly and explicitly, to choose between their feelings and their duties.
The emotional weight of their romance comes from this impossible choice: do they risk national scandal and familial disapproval to be together, or do they submit to expectations and live unfulfilled?
Ultimately, the novel suggests that freedom isn’t the absence of responsibility, but the courage to make one’s own decisions despite consequences. It argues that duty should not come at the cost of the self.
Love and Secrecy
Love in The Rules of Royalty is both liberating and suffocating, particularly because it must be kept secret for much of the story. The clandestine relationship between Erik and Jamie captures the painful paradox of queer love in traditional institutions — deeply cherished, yet hidden out of necessity.
Their romance builds slowly, from tentative friendship to emotional confession, always under the looming shadow of exposure. The secrecy is not romanticized but presented as a burden that affects their sense of self-worth and their ability to trust.
Erik, already used to hiding parts of himself from the world, is adept at managing secrecy, but it comes at the cost of his emotional honesty. Jamie, by contrast, finds secrecy disorienting and demoralizing, particularly because he is just beginning to accept his new life and identity.
Their emotional conflicts stem less from a lack of love and more from the pain of having to hide that love from the world. The theme reaches its climax when secrecy becomes untenable — when rumors, misunderstandings, and political pressure threaten to destroy what they’ve built.
The story doesn’t simply equate love with romantic gestures. It portrays love as an act of bravery, especially when it defies social norms.
By choosing to come forward, even subtly, they reclaim the narrative. They turn secrecy into visibility, and fear into empowerment.
Coming of Age and Emotional Maturity
Both protagonists undergo significant emotional growth, making The Rules of Royalty a quintessential coming-of-age story. Jamie’s journey from a regular teen to a confident young royal is not just about learning how to stand in the spotlight, but about learning how to stand up for himself.
His initial insecurity, especially in the face of press scrutiny and court formality, is gradually replaced with a quiet strength rooted in self-belief. He learns to balance humility with assertiveness, loyalty with independence.
Erik’s arc is even more emotionally fraught. He begins the novel hiding behind perfection and royal decorum, believing emotional control is the only way to survive.
However, through his relationship with Jamie, he learns the importance of vulnerability. He stops seeking approval and starts pursuing authenticity, even when it risks confrontation with his family or his nation.
Their romance acts as a catalyst for personal growth, but their development isn’t solely dependent on each other. Each boy learns from their environment — from allies like Max and Alexander, and even from figures of pressure like Queen Amalia — how to navigate the grey space between adolescence and adulthood.
The book portrays coming of age not as a single event. It is a series of small, painful, empowering decisions that lead to emotional clarity and personal strength.
The Power of Visibility and Representation
Visibility — both personal and political — plays a key role in the story, particularly as it relates to queer identity and royal tradition. Erik and Jamie’s relationship becomes a metaphor for the broader fight for inclusion in legacy systems that historically exclude LGBTQ+ people.
The monarchy, with its rigid customs and media-driven image, becomes the stage where visibility must be negotiated carefully. Erik, who has always been hidden in plain sight, learns that true visibility requires more than being seen — it requires being understood.
Jamie, by stepping into a public life he never asked for, learns how visibility can be both a threat and a tool. The final chapters emphasize this theme when they begin subtly and then more boldly claiming their space as a couple.
Alexander’s public support for Jamie acts as a narrative turning point, shifting visibility from something shameful to something honorable. This shift is important — it suggests that change in institutions begins not with radical revolution, but with quiet courage and principled support.
In a world where LGBTQ+ people often remain marginalized, the book’s vision of public acceptance — even within a monarchy — becomes aspirational. The story argues that visibility is not just about being seen, but about being validated and allowed to exist without compromise.