What viewers need to know about Netflix's 'A Christmas Prince' sequel

It is difficult to keep track of all the cheesy, made-for-television holiday movies — but it helps if one of them goes viral.

Thanks to that creepy tweet from Netflix last year, in which the streaming behemoth reminded everyone it's constantly analyzing your viewing data, “A Christmas Prince” became something of an internet sensation. The movie wasn't good — in fact, it was kind of terrible. But that made it even more fun to watch.

Naturally, Netflix commissioned a sequel: “A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding,” which started streaming last Friday. Here's what you need to know:

1. The main players are back — for the most part.

In “A Christmas Prince,” frustrated New York journalist Amber (Rose McIver) arrived in the lovely country of Aldovia, determined to get a scoop. Her task was to report on Prince Richard (“His Royal Hotness,” played by Ben Lamb), who might abdicate the throne and throw the country into chaos.

Amber was mistaken for his sister's tutor, so she found herself undercover. Naturally, she wound up falling for Richard (because that's what female journalists do in movies), and he was hurt when he found out her true identity. But he forgave her, became king and proposed.

Anyway, nearly everyone has returned, including Princess Emily, Queen Helena and cousin Simon. However, Amber's father has been recast — and outfitted with a much campier personality.

2. There's really no need to catch up on the first movie.

The 90-minute sequel takes place exactly a year after the last movie ended, as the palace is in a frenzy for Richard and Amber's Christmas Day wedding. However, there are some dark subplots: Aldovia is in a financial crisis. Amber suddenly realizes that yes, becoming a member of a royal family means your life belongs to them. Oh, and Princess Emily's Christmas play is briefly in trouble.

3. There are a few callbacks.

Some plot points are repeated. Plus, the writers were listening to all of the ways that people made fun of the original. Amber was employed at the magazine “Now Beat,” a name that received plenty of mockery — or was it “Beat Now”? In the sequel, there's similar confusion.

“Now Beat?” Amber said. “It was Beat Now.”

4. There are some parallels to real-life royals.

Amber has a few things in common with Meghan Markle. A major theme in the movie is how people worry about Amber breaking “protocol,” because she doesn't want to lose her own identity.