The Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway has spoken out about Julie Andrews’ decision not to return for the franchise’s upcoming third installment.
The original 2001 film starred Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis alongside Andrews, who played her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi. While Andrews returned for the 2004 sequel, the Oscar winner has since confirmed that she will not appear in the franchise’s next chapter.
During an appearance at D23 Expo on Monday, Hathaway addressed Andrews’ absence from the third film.
“We completely understand,” she said.
Anne Hathaway addresses Julie Andrews’ absence from The Princess Diaries 3
In July, Anne Hathaway, who was then busy promoting Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, confirmed that work on the script for the third Princess Diaries film was progressing well.
While no other casting announcements have been made, Hathaway has signed on to reprise her role as Mia Thermopolis and serve as a producer on the film.
Weeks after Hathaway’s update on the script, Julie Andrews revealed that she wasn’t “going to be in” the upcoming third installment.
Andrews’ announcement made headlines and fueled discussion about the third film before Hathaway finally addressed her on-screen grandmother’s absence.
During her August 17 appearance at D23 Expo, the actress confirmed that she had tried to convince Andrews to return. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Hathaway said:
“We did push really hard to see if she would want to do it.”
Hathaway explained that while she remained hopeful her former co-star might change her mind, she also wanted “to be respectful” of the veteran actress’s decision.
“If anybody has contributed to the world of entertainment and to our collective joy, it’s her. Whatever she wants, we completely understand,” she added.
Julie Andrews explained why she won’t return for The Princess Diaries 3
On August 11, Andrews explained her decision not to return to the hit franchise during an interview with Today.
When the 90-year-old actress was asked about her involvement in the upcoming third film, she said it was “too late” for her to return.
“I’m not going to be in it. I think the story is slightly different, and I’m not quite sure how they’re dealing with that,” the Mary Poppins star said.
Andrews added that the next installment needed to focus on Hathaway’s Princess Mia, suggesting that the story was “not really” about her character anymore.
In a subsequent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Andrews explained why she would not appear in the third film, saying she had stepped back from screen acting.
She said, “I think the absolute truth is that I think I’m really past all that now.”
Andrews explained that while she hadn’t “completely retired,” her focus had shifted to “different” things, including her books, podcasting, and voiceover work. Her last prominent screen role was in 2022’s The King’s Daughter.
However, she has continued to voice Lady Whistledown in the Netflix hit Bridgerton and as Mrs. Gru in the Despicable Me franchise.
Anne Hathaway reflects on working with Julie Andrews on The Princess Diaries
On August 16, Hathaway was officially inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame during D23.
Taking the stage, Hathaway described herself as one of the “most insanely lucky people in the world” after receiving the honor. During her acceptance speech, she also thanked Andrews for mentoring her.
“How lucky am I that my first studio picture ever starred perhaps the greatest Disney Legend of all time, the incomparable Julie Andrews,” Hathaway said.
Hathaway was only 17 when she was cast alongside Andrews in the first installment. She later recalled learning a great deal from her co-star, including the importance of combining “good humor” with “hard work.”
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Hathaway will next appear in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Verity, which is slated for release on October 2, 2026.
Meanwhile, The Princess Diaries 3, formally announced in October 2024, remains in development with no confirmed release date.
“Won’t be the same without her”: Fans react to Julie Andrews not returning for The Princess Diaries 3
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