The story of Catherine the Great, a young German princess who rose from relative obscurity to the Russian throne. A twist of fate in 1744 brings 15-year-old, foreign born princess Sophia Fredericka to the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia, where she becomes Catherine II, the wife of the Empress' nephew Peter. Through courage, shrewdness and treachery, Catherine triumphs over her despicable husband to become Empress and Czarina of Russia.