Julie Andrews has confirmed she will not return as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries 3, ending speculation about a reunion with Anne Hathaway. Andrews said she considers herself retired from on-screen acting. The sequel remains in development, with Hathaway attached and Adele Lim set to direct.
Key Takeaways
- Julie Andrews confirmed in August 2026 that she will not return as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries 3.
- Andrews said the film’s creative team had approached her about returning and described herself as retired from on-screen acting.
- Anne Hathaway remains attached to reprise Mia Thermopolis, with Adele Lim attached to direct.
- Hathaway said in July that the team had experienced a “story breakthrough” and restarted the script around a new direction.
- No release date or shooting schedule has been announced.
Julie Andrews has given a definitive answer about whether Queen Clarisse Renaldi will return in The Princess Diaries 3.
“I’m not going to be in it,” Andrews said in an August 10 interview, confirming that she will not reprise the role she played opposite Anne Hathaway in the first two films.
The confirmation ends years of uncertainty surrounding one of the franchise’s most recognizable original cast members. Andrews had previously expressed doubts about returning, but her latest comments make her position clear.
In a separate interview published August 10, Andrews described her current relationship with screen acting more directly. “I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that.” She said the film’s creative team had approached her about participating during the previous year.
Andrews played Queen Clarisse Renaldi, Mia Thermopolis’ grandmother and royal mentor, in the original The Princess Diaries in 2001 and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in 2004. The careers of Andrews, Hathaway and other members of the original ensemble were recently revisited in a Princess Diaries cast retrospective.
The Princess Diaries 3 Remains in Development
Andrews’ departure comes as The Princess Diaries 3 continues through development rather than moving into a confirmed production schedule.
Anne Hathaway remains attached to return as Mia Thermopolis. She publicly confirmed her involvement in October 2024, while filmmaker Adele Lim is attached to direct the third installment.
The project has continued to evolve since those announcements. In July 2026, Hathaway said, “I think we had a story breakthrough,” while explaining that the creative team had moved away from an earlier version of the script and started again with a new direction.
No release date or shooting schedule has been announced. Hathaway has also said her pregnancy affects when she will be available to make the movie.
Anne Hathaway Keeps Mia Thermopolis at the Center
Hathaway’s continued involvement leaves Mia Thermopolis as the clearest link between the upcoming film and the two original movies.
The first film introduced Mia as a San Francisco teenager who discovers she is heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Genovia. By the end of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Mia had become queen after challenging a rule requiring her to marry before taking the throne.
Andrews has indicated that the next chapter belongs primarily to Hathaway’s character. Her comments also reflect her decision to step away from on-screen acting.
Hathaway, meanwhile, has remained active across several film projects in 2026, including the Mother Mary project connected to an Anne Hathaway music release.
Queen Clarisse’s Absence Changes the Original Cast Dynamic
Julie Andrews’ absence removes one half of the central intergenerational relationship that shaped the first two films.
Queen Clarisse initially served as the person who introduced Mia to her royal identity and prepared her for life in Genovia. Their relationship developed from formal instruction into one of the central relationships in the franchise.
By the conclusion of the second film, Clarisse had stepped down and Mia had taken the throne, creating an existing narrative basis for a third film centered more heavily on Mia as queen.
There has been no confirmed announcement that Queen Clarisse will be recast, written out or appear in another form.
Andrews’ participation, however, is now settled. She will not reprise the character in the third film.
Andrews Is Stepping Back From Screen Acting
Andrews has described herself as retired from on-screen acting, although she has continued working in other formats.
Her recent work includes her voice performance as Lady Whistledown in Netflix’s Bridgerton, along with writing projects and other creative work. Disney is also developing a documentary about her life and career.
At 90, Andrews has said she largely prefers to remain outside the public eye. Her decision rules out another live-action performance as Queen Clarisse while she continues selected creative work outside traditional screen acting.
The Confirmed Cast Picture Becomes Clearer
The latest Julie Andrews Princess Diaries 3 update resolves one of the major casting questions surrounding the sequel.
Andrews will not return as Queen Clarisse. Hathaway remains attached as Mia Thermopolis. Adele Lim remains attached to direct, and the screenplay has undergone another round of development following what Hathaway described as a new story direction.
Other potential returning cast members have not been fully established, and the production has not announced a release date or filming schedule.
The sequel remains connected to the original films through Hathaway’s return as Mia, while Andrews will not add another performance as Queen Clarisse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Julie Andrews Returning for The Princess Diaries 3?
No. Julie Andrews has confirmed that she will not reprise Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries 3.
Why Is Julie Andrews Not Returning?
Andrews described herself as retired from on-screen acting and said she believed the new film could continue without her. She has also indicated that the story should now center on Mia Thermopolis rather than Queen Clarisse.
Is Anne Hathaway Returning as Mia Thermopolis?
Yes. Anne Hathaway remains attached to reprise Mia Thermopolis in the third film. She said in July 2026 that work on the project was moving in a new direction after the team revisited the screenplay.
Who Is Directing The Princess Diaries 3?
Adele Lim is attached to direct the third installment. Lim was announced for the project in 2024.
When Will The Princess Diaries 3 Be Released?
No release date has been announced. As of the latest 2026 updates, the screenplay remains in development and a shooting schedule has not been set.