Full Breakdown
Julie Andrews Declines Return to *Princess Diaries 3* as Production Pauses for Anne Hathaway’s Pregnancy
8/14/2026, 2:07:39 AM
Julie Andrews Declines Return to *Princess Diaries 3*
Veteran actress Julie Andrews confirmed she will not reprise her role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in the forthcoming third installment of the *Princess Diaries* franchise. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter alongside her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, Andrews said she feels “past all that now” and prefers to focus on writing, podcast work, and voice-over projects rather than on-camera roles.
Series Background and Upcoming Film
The original *Princess Diaries* (1999) celebrated its 25th anniversary this month, prompting Disney to green-light a sequel. In 2024 the studio announced that Anne Hathaway will return as Mia Thermopolis, with Adele Lim set to direct and producers Debra Martin Chase, Naia Cucukov, and Melissa Stack attached. The film is intended to continue the story of Mia and her grandmother, though Andrews’ character will be absent.
Official Statements & Responses
Andrews emphasized that she is “not completely retired” but that her current work does not include new film roles, describing the decision as “very, very hard” to make. Hathaway, meanwhile, disclosed on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy that her third pregnancy has delayed production, noting she is “busy making baby No. 3” and that the script is being re-worked. Both actors expressed optimism about the project’s direction despite the setbacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think the absolute truth is that I think I’m really past all that now,” — Julie Andrews
- “I’m not completely retired, but it’s a different kind of work that I do these days — [writing] books, and I do a lot of recording of podcasts and voiceovers. But truly, I don’t think I should be a part of it.” — Though Andrews
- “I’m busy making baby No. 3 and that has sort of taken the place of knowing exactly when I can make Princess Diaries 3,” — Anne Hathaway
- “I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that,” — Getty Images Julie
These statements capture the core reasons for Andrews’ withdrawal and Hathaway’s temporary pause, underscoring the evolving nature of the *Princess Diaries* sequel.
