A Royal Farewell: Julie Andrews Confirms Departure from ‘Princess Diaries 3’, Anne Hathaway Still Set to Reign
Hollywood, CA – Fans of Genovia’s beloved royal family will be met with bittersweet news as legendary actress Julie Andrews has officially announced she will not be reprising her iconic role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in the highly anticipated ‘The Princess Diaries 3’. The 90-year-old screen icon cited retirement as the primary reason for her decision, leaving a poignant void for many who grew up with her regal mentorship to Princess Mia.
Andrews, whose career spans decades and includes some of cinema’s most cherished performances, confirmed her departure in an interview with InStyle. "I think I probably passed… I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that," she stated, candidly addressing the persistent rumors surrounding her involvement. The veteran actress further elaborated on the difficult choice, explaining, "They asked me all last year if I would be keen to do it. It was very very hard to say ‘no,’ but I did because I thought I had a wonderful ride, and this one I felt would flourish very well and wouldn’t need Granny going in there at my age."
While her physical presence on screen may be drawing to a close, Andrews has remained active in the entertainment industry through her acclaimed voice work. Her recent credits include roles in animated features such as ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ and ‘Aquaman’, as well as the critically praised Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’, where she lends her distinctive voice to the mysterious narrator, Lady Whistledown. Andrews expressed her enjoyment of these projects, particularly ‘Bridgerton’, which allows her the flexibility of recording from home. "I do it mostly to keep my brain alive," she shared, highlighting her continued passion for her craft.
Despite Andrews’ departure, the future of Genovia appears bright with Anne Hathaway, who portrayed the initially awkward yet ultimately endearing Princess Mia Thermopolis, still firmly on board for the third installment. Hathaway, who has enjoyed a prolific year with several film releases, confirmed that ‘The Princess Diaries 3’ is actively in development. Speaking to Deadline, Hathaway revealed that she and her team are "constantly working on it," clarifying that a previously unexpected commitment to a potential ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ had temporarily shifted focus. "It became impossible to focus on both at the same time," Hathaway explained. However, she reassured fans, emphasizing that "The intention is to make Princess Diaries hopefully next."
The original ‘Princess Diaries’, released in 2001 and directed by the late Garry Marshall, became a sleeper hit, grossing USD 165.3 million worldwide. Based on Meg Cabot’s eponymous novel, the film introduced audiences to shy American teenager Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) as she discovers her royal lineage and undergoes tutelage from her estranged grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews). The film’s charm, coupled with Andrews’ elegant portrayal of the reigning queen and Hathaway’s breakout performance, resonated deeply with audiences, defying initial industry expectations.
The success led to a sequel, ‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’, in 2004, which saw both Hathaway and Andrews reprise their roles. The sequel also marked the feature-film debut of Chris Pine, who joined the cast as Mia’s love interest, Nicholas Devereaux.
In an exciting development for the franchise’s next chapter, Deadline reported in 2024 that Adele Lim, celebrated for her co-writing work on ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, is slated to direct ‘The Princess Diaries 3′ for Disney. With Lim at the helm and Hathaway committed to her royal duties, the kingdom of Genovia is poised for a new era, even as it bids a fond farewell to its beloved Queen Clarisse. While Julie Andrews’ regal presence will undoubtedly be missed, her legacy as the quintessential queen who guided a young princess to her destiny will forever remain etched in the hearts of fans worldwide.
