After her mother's death, Ella's (Lily James) father marries the beautiful Mrs. Termany (Cate Blanchett), who brings her two daughters, Anthea (Holliday Grainger) and Tricia (Sophie McShera). Ella lives in peace with her stepmother and two sisters with a kind heart to treat others, but all this changes dramatically after her father's death. Having lost her father's protection, Ella completely becomes Mrs. Termany's slave and maid in the house. However, even though she suffers from oppression and insults from her relatives, Ella still decides to stay and protect the family. By chance, Ella meets a man named Kit (Richard Madden), but she doesn't know that this charming young man is a prince, and thinks he is just a servant. The prince held a large banquet in the palace and invited girls from all over the country to attend. Ella also wanted to go, but Lady Temanee obviously did not like her idea.