NashvilleGab - ‘Princess Diaries’ icon explains why returning for the third film no longer felt right

Julie Andrews has confirmed that she will not return as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in “The Princess Diaries 3.” The screen legend is 90, having celebrated that milestone on Oct. 1, 2025. Andrews told InStyle that it was “very, very hard to say no” after the film’s creative team asked her about returning throughout 2025, but she felt the new movie could flourish without her character.

Andrews has also clarified that she is not completely retired. She has largely stepped away from on-camera acting while continuing to write books, record podcasts, and do voiceovers.

Julie Andrews declines the newest princess sequel

Andrews confirmed her decision in interviews published this week by InStyle, TODAY, and The Hollywood Reporter. She told InStyle that the film’s creative team had asked her throughout 2025 whether she wanted to return, but she ultimately declined.

Andrews said she had enjoyed a wonderful run with the franchise and believed the third film could flourish without Queen Clarisse returning at her age. She separately told TODAY that it was too late for her to come back and that the story now needs to continue with Princess Mia.

Her decision ends speculation about whether she will reunite onscreen with Anne Hathaway in the third film. Andrews emphasized that she remains enthusiastic about the project even though she no longer believes she should be part of it.

Queen Clarisse steps aside for Mia

Andrews introduced Queen Clarisse Renaldi in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries” and returned for the 2004 sequel. By the end of “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” Clarisse had stepped down, and Mia had become queen of Genovia.

Anne Hathaway is returning as Mia for the third film. Andrews believes that progression makes Mia the natural center of the story, telling TODAY that the new chapter is Princess Mia’s story rather than hers.

The exact plot remains under wraps. Andrews said the story is “slightly different” and acknowledged that she does not know exactly how the filmmakers are handling it, so it is too early to say how Queen Clarisse’s absence will be addressed onscreen.

Why was the decision so difficult?

Andrews made clear that declining the third film was not an easy choice. She told InStyle that saying no was “very, very hard” because she had enjoyed a wonderful run with the franchise.

Age also factored into her decision. At 90, Andrews said she believed the new movie could flourish without Queen Clarisse returning as Mia’s grandmother. She has arthritis and has increasingly chosen work that allows her to remain out of the public eye.

Andrews nevertheless stressed that she remains supportive of the sequel. She told The Hollywood Reporter that her decision is not due to a lack of enthusiasm for the film; she simply no longer feels that appearing in it is right for her.

Julie Andrews attends an event. — *Source: arp/Depositphotos*

A legacy built across 2 films

“The Princess Diaries” arrived in theaters in 2001 and introduced film audiences to Mia Thermopolis, a San Francisco teenager who discovers that she is heir to the throne of Genovia. Andrews played Mia’s grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi, who prepares her for royal life.

“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” was released in 2004. In the sequel, Mia prepares to succeed Clarisse as queen but encounters a law requiring her to marry before taking the throne. By the end of the film, that requirement is changed, and Mia becomes queen.

The original marked Hathaway’s breakthrough in Hollywood and became closely associated with both her and Andrews. More than 2 decades later, Hathaway is returning to develop a third installment, while Andrews has decided that her time as Queen Clarisse is complete.

What retirement means for Julie Andrews now

Andrews has largely stepped away from on-camera acting, but she does not consider herself completely retired. She now focuses on books, podcasts, and voiceover work rather than appearing regularly onscreen.

Her voice credits include Aquaman, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Netflix’s Bridgerton, in which she voices Lady Whistledown. Andrews records her Bridgerton narration from a home studio created with help from her grandson.

She has also been narrating the Jane Austen Stories podcast and told InStyle that she records in part to keep her brain active. Her home setup allows her to continue working without having to regularly return to an on-camera production environment.

Fun fact: Andrews married director Blake Edwards in 1969, and they remained married for 41 years until his death in 2010.

Anne Hathaway carries the story forward

Hathaway remains actively involved in the long-awaited third installment and is set to reprise Mia Thermopolis. Adele Lim, whose credits include “Joy Ride” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” signed on to direct the film in 2024.

In July 2026, Hathaway said the team had reached a story breakthrough and was moving in the right direction. That breakthrough required the writers to start over with a new direction for the script, but Hathaway said the team felt good about the change.

A release date and shooting schedule have not yet been set. Hathaway’s current pregnancy has also affected when she can make the film, and specific plot details remain undisclosed. Andrews has confirmed that she will not return, leaving Hathaway as the only original lead currently confirmed for the new installment.

American actress Anne Hathaway arrives at an event. — *Source: Image Press Agency/Depositphotos*

A career spanning more than 7 decades

Andrews began performing professionally as a child and became the youngest solo performer to appear at the Royal Variety Performance at 13. At the 1948 event in London, she sang the national anthem in the presence of King George VI.

Her career expanded from the British stage to Broadway, film, and television. Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress for “Mary Poppins” and received another nomination the following year for “The Sound of Music.” In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II made her a dame for her services to the performing arts.

Andrews remains creatively active at 90. Her newest children’s book with daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, “Shy,” was released on Aug. 11, 2026, adding to a writing partnership that has produced dozens of books.

Andrews leaves the franchise on warm terms

Andrews has made clear that her decision is not a criticism of “The Princess Diaries 3.” She remains enthusiastic about the project but no longer feels that returning to on-camera acting for the sequel is right for her.

The creative team asked Andrews about returning throughout 2025, and she acknowledged that turning them down was very difficult. She nevertheless believes the franchise can continue successfully without Queen Clarisse and has shifted her own attention toward books, podcasts, and voiceovers.

Hathaway remains attached to the sequel, which recently moved in a new story direction. Andrews’ decision means the third film will move forward without the actress who played Mia’s grandmother in the first 2 installments.

Little-known fact: While filming a flying scene for “Mary Poppins“, Julie Andrews’ supporting wires suddenly dropped about a foot. She later recalled landing hard on the stage.

TL;DR

Julie Andrews confirmed she will not return for The Princess Diaries 3.
Andrews, 90, has largely stepped away from on-camera acting but says she is not completely retired.
Andrews said turning down the sequel was very, very difficult.
Anne Hathaway is returning as Mia, now queen of Genovia.
Andrews continues voice and recording work and released a new children’s book, Shy, with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton on Aug. 11, 2026.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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