The Princess Diaries is having a bit of a moment since it was announced that a third installment might be on the way. Unfortunately for fans, Julie Andrews, who played Queen Clarisse Renaldi, stated she probably won't return to the franchise.
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In a recent interview with Access Hollywood, Andrews gracefully stated that it was unlikely she would be returning for a new installment in the Princess Diaries franchise. “I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible," she said."It was talked about very shortly after two 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. In terms of us doing it, I doubt that now.”
It's been 18 years since The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement came out. At the end of The Princess Diaries 2, Mia is no longer a Disney Princess - she ascends to the throne of Genovia to rule in her own right. Andrews was 69 years old when that film was released and is currently 87. The second Princess Diaries film is actually Andrews' last live-action appearance in a film. Since then, she has only lent her voice to feature-length films.
Perhaps Andrews can have a surprise cameo somewhere in the Princess Diaries 3. At 87, it's understandable that she wouldn't want to work on a feature-length film, which can be physically draining. She could appear in a video call with her granddaughter, however. At the end of the last film, she married her love interest, Joe (Hector Elizondo), and maybe the two are off on a tropical vacation somewhere.
Even if Andrews doesn't cameo in the film, her presence can still be felt. Should the third installment of the Princess Diaries franchise focus on Mia's possible child or children, the relationship between the two can harken back to earlier installments. Any of Mia's heirs would be raised in a very different environment than Mia's used to, so it could be fun for the dynamic to be swapped, with Mia being a fun-loving Queen trying to get her daughter to loosen up.
The Princess Diaries 3 is in development.
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Source: Access Hollywood