Following the death of his father and an abdication by his brother, King George VI, or "Bertie," as he is called by his family learns he stands to inherit the throne and must overcome his debilitating speech impediment in order to do so. With the help of an unconventional speech therapist, the future King is forced to make a crucial radio speech to his countrymen as they face their entry into World War II and learns the power of his own voice.