Why Julie Andrews won't return for ‘The Princess Diaries 3’: ‘I think I'm…’
'Princess Diaries' fans just got some disappointing news after Julie Andrews told TODAY that she would not be returning for 'Princess Diaries 3'. For those unaware, Andrews played Queen Clarisse Renaldi in the first two installments of the film series. She is a beloved character for fans of both the book and movie. Over the years, Andrews has expressed nothing but adoration for the franchise. Hence, fans were hoping that the legendary actress would grace the screen when the long-awaited third installment finally comes out. But it seems like that's not the case, as Andrews has ruled herself out.
Andrews was promoting her new book 'Shy' alongside her daughter when she was asked about the threequel. “I’m not going to be in it,” she told the publication instantly. According to the actress, at 90, she does not want to return to the screen as Queen Clarisse Renaldi. Though not involved with the venture, the Oscar winner apparently knows of the third movie's storyline. “I think the story is slightly different, and I’m not quite sure how they’re dealing with that. But it’s too late for me to do it. I think the story has to continue in Princess Mia. It’s her story. It’s not really mine,” the actress shared.
Andrews expressed the same view last year as well in an interview with InStyle. She shared that the team behind the third movie, which is currently in development, approached her, but after much thought she walked away from the iconic part. “I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that. [The film’s creative team] 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,” the actress shared. She had similar thoughts when the threequel was confirmed back in 2022. According to her, it was just too late for her even back then. “I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible,” Andrews told Access Hollywood at the time. “It was talked about very shortly after [the second sequel] came out, but it’s now how many years since then? And I am that much older, and Annie the princess, or queen, is so much older. And I am not sure where it would float or run.”
Despite her reiterating repeatedly that she will not return as Queen Clarisse, fans are holding out hope for a change of heart. Andrews first appeared as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in 2001’s 'The Princess Diaries.' The first movie features her character guiding her granddaughter Mia into her new role as the Princess of Genovia. The actress reprised her role in 2004’s 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,' where her character, Clarisse, finally found her happily ever after with Joe, the Genovia Royal Family's head of security. Even if Clarisse does not appear in the third installment, hopefully the movie finds a way to continue her story. Both movies are streaming on Disney+.
