The fetching looks of beautiful tomboy Emilie Le Breton–preferably known as Lillie–attract the attention of many men on the British Island of Jersey–even those who arrive by accident. After a disastrous visit to London, Lillie falls for a local fisherman with whom she has a bit too much in common. Soon after the forbidden relationship, she accepts the marriage proposal of the wealthy Edward Langtry, a man who offers an escape from both her father and Jersey.

Settling with husband Edward in her somber new Southampton home, Lillie finds less freedom now than she did on Jersey. Worse, Edward's riches have long been spent. After a life-threatening illness and a bit of trickery, Lillie and Edward move to London where Lillie gets her first delicious taste of upper-crust society. However, tragedy forces Lillie's return to Jersey. Her beloved brother Reggie suffers a fatal accident, causing her intense grief and unrelenting guilt.

Lillie's radiant beauty creates a sensation in London's social circles. She is now a 'professional beauty', a fashionable society woman whose every movement becomes a matter of public interest. Lillie graces magazine covers and becomes highly sought after by artists, photographers, writers, hostesses–and visiting dignitary King Leopold of the Belgians. While Lillie is highly celebrated, little do the wags know that this beauty has but one simple black dress to her name.

Although Lillie hasn't requited his attention, King Leopold, like many others, is enthralled by her charm and beauty. His daily early morning visits to her home abruptly conclude when his advances are flatly rejected. But will this royal snub stunt Lillie's climb up society's ladder? A reception at the palatial home of Lord Suffield will answer without a doubt. With her place assured, Lillie goes about impressing another set of royals, who select her for introduction to the Prince of Wales.

Despite being an icon of beauty and glamour, Lillie's marriage to Edward is a loveless farce. Although Edward attempts to improve her surroundings, wardrobe and lifestyle, Lillie's heart has found another. She becomes close to 'Bertie', the Prince of Wales, eliciting whispers of an illicit affair. After a brief return to Jersey, Lillie entertains the affections of lifelong friend Arthur Jones. But Lillie and the Prince can no longer exist apart, as she is now his mistress.

Bertie, the Prince of Wales, has gone to great lengths to impress Lillie–even building her a country house in Bournemouth. When Austria's Crown Prince Rudolf pays an official visit to London, Lillie becomes the focus of his impetuous nature. His behaviour doesn't sit will with Lillie or Bertie, and Rudolf is unceremoniously banished from the country. A short time later, after a cold public reception from Queen Victoria, Lillie retreats to her country home with Arthur. While her love for him grows, she cannot bear to leave the royal spotlight for Jersey's provincial obscurity.

Lillie's social success continues despite brewing public scandal over her illicit affair with Bertie. But a new Prince has arrived, Bertie's nephew Prince Louis of Battenberg. The attraction is mutual and Lillie is now involved with a pair of Princes. When Bertie forbids Louis to marry Lillie, she coldly agrees. But she hatches a plan to afford herself a more comfortable financial position: she will take to the stage, become an actress, and earn enough to support herself.

Lillie is pregnant following a brief affair with Prince Louis. After being out in Jersey with Arthur, Lillie secretly gives birth in Paris. Even after the illegitimate child's arrival, Edward refuses to grant a divorce, and forces Lillie to support him by beginning her theatrical career on the London stage. Arthur is bitterly disappointed, realising his love for Lillie is unrequited and the two will never wed. Lillie is about to set sail for an American theatrical tour when she learns the disheartening news that Prince Louis will dock in Liverpool–just hours after her departure.

In America, Lillie is celebrated wherever she goes. Despite criticisms regarding Lillie's stage debut, fashionable crowds pack the theatre each night. A rich, young American named Freddie Gebbard has taken to squiring Lillie, but as the show tours America, scandal follows, as reports accuse Freddie and Lillie of 'immoral behaviour'. Undeterred, Lillie triumphs, attracting an ever-growing legion of fans. Back in England, the acting star causes yet another stir–this time with her own production, appropriately titled 'School for Scandal'.

Lillie is now a wealthy woman following her successful theatrical tour in America. But she has little time to enjoy her elegant new London home. Back for a triumphant third tour of America, Lillie and Freddie work with a famed lawyer in an attempt to obtain a divorce for Lillie from Edward. In an attempt to gain US citizenship and force Edward's hand, Lillie purchases a large California ranch. But Edward refuses to grant a divorce, which leads Lillie back to England, and a vicious confrontation between Freddie and Bertie.

Fabulously wealthy George Baird is a gentleman, sportsman, horse-racing enthusiast–and known womaniser. Despite warnings that her involvement with such a man will ruin her social position, Lillie is consumed by a strange attraction for Baird. His violent outbursts aside, Lillie is bound by fear. After a particularly brutal attack, Baird is jailed, attracting sensational press coverage worldwide. Meanwhile, Lillie begins a sucesssful career as a horse owner escorting 'Mr Jersey' into the winner's circle. But within months, the two pivotal men in Lillie's life will meet their maker.

Following the deaths of George and Edward, Lillie moves to Regal Lodge in Newmarket, far from the scandal-loving London press hounds. There, with her mother and daughter Jeanne Marie, she feels safe. But her priceless jewel collection isn't as secure; most of Lillie's uninsured gems are stolen, leaving her in financial straits. Lillie causes yet another wave of unwanted publicity when she announces her intention to marry Hugo de Bathe, an idle young aristocrat 20 years her junior. Meanwhile, Jeanne learns the identity of her biological father, and severs all ties with Lillie.

Lillie returns to America, accompanied by young army officer Captain d'Albani. Although still betrothed to Hugo, Lillie keeps company with the Captain until he's called to war in 1914. The outbreak of fighting sees Louis lose his coveted Admiralty, but leads him to a relationship with his illegitimate daughter, Jeanne Marie. No longer the toast of America, Lillie finds herself seeking amusement in New York by paying her dashing young partners fifty cents a dance. With the war over, Lillie moves to the South of France, where she's surrounded by photos and memories of an illustrious past. As her time draws near, the only regret of her successful life is the love of a family.