Prince Klemens von Metternich (Paul Hoffmann orders Friedrich Gentz (Willy Birger', one of his aides, to keep the Duke of Reichstadt---Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles(Bonaparte)---son of Napoleon and heir to the French throne, from thinking about French politics. Gentz enlists the help of ballerina Fanny Elsser (Lilian Harvey), all the rage in several European capitals, to keep the Duke distracted. But the Duke and Fanny fall in love. She helps him in escaping from Austria and he goes to Paris in an effort to claim the throne. He fails and is returned to Austria as a prisoner. Fanny is exiled and the Duke dies alone.