Princess Anne plans to run away with Freddie Granton, the commoner secretary of her father, King Eric VIII, once her domineering mother, Queen Martha, has left for a vacation in America.

Anne is therefore aghast when the Marquis of Birten brings news that he has negotiated her political marriage to Prince William of Grec, a man she has never even met.

The Queen, newly returned from America with a much-needed loan, tells her husband in private that she knew the whole revolution was a bluff to force Northrup from power.

[4] William LeBaron, head of production for RKO Radio Pictures, had purchased the rights to Sherwood's play during his trip to New York in early September.

[6] In early October, Nance O'Neil's attachment in the role of the Queen was reported,[7] with Mary Astor's involvement as the Princess announced the week later.

[11] On October 21 the final cast was announced, as well as J. Walter Ruben as the writer in charge of the screenplay adaptation, and Arthur Roberts signed on as the editor.

[14] Photoplay complimented the plot, dialogue and acting, calling it a "fine talkie," [15] while The Modern Screen Magazine said it was "... an amusing story ...".

"[20] The Royal Bed was also produced by LeBaron in a French-language version entitled Echec Au Roi, directed by Léon D'Usseau and Henri de la Falaise, with a translation of Ruben's screenplay into the French language by Robert Harari.

[1][21][22] The play on which this film is based, The Queen's Husband by Robert E. Sherwood, was performed at the Playhouse Theatre in New York City from January through May 1928.

It starred Roland Young as King Eric, Gladys Hanson as The Queen, Katherine Alexander as Princess Anne, and Gyles Isham as Freddie Granton.