Julie Andrews has confirmed that she will be reprising her role as Clarisse Renaldi in the upcoming third Princess Diaries film.
The 90-year-old addressed the burning question surrounding her return to the franchise during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t think so,” she replied to the question. “I think the absolute truth is that I think I’m really past all that now.”
She continued: “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.”
The actress admitted that it was “still lovely to be working on things” but that she was not looking for film roles any more. However, she shared that she was excited to see what writer Meg Cabot and lead Anne Hathaway have developed for the next film. Julie added that the original movie had been a “very enjoyable film to make”.
“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. It isn’t that I’m not enthusiastic for it. It’s just that I really don’t feel I should be part of it now,” she shared.
Julie Andrews has retired from actingGetty Images
Disney confirmed plans for a third instalment in the beloved franchise in 2022, with Anne later revealing in October 2024 that she would return as Mia Thermopolis. Julie starred as Clarisse, Mia’s grandmother in the hit movie. The star was offered the chance to return for the third movie, but kindly declined that offer.
“I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that,” Julie told InStyle magazine. “The 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.”
Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews during The Princess Diaries 2 premiere in 2004Getty Images
The first film celebrated its 25th anniversary this month. The third movie will be directed by Adele Lim. “I’m busy making baby number three and that has sort of taken the place of knowing exactly when I can make Princess Diaries 3,” Anne said on Sirius XM’s Radio Andy. “But I can say I think we had a story breakthrough. I think we are moving in the right direction. The script that we were working on – we kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”
Julie Andrews starred as Clarisse Renaldi and Anne Hathaway starred as Mia ThermopolisDDP/AFP via Getty Images
HELLO!’s TV & Film Editor, Nicky Morris, shared her expert take on the news. “While the news will certainly break the hearts of Princess Diaries fans, Julie Andrews has enjoyed a glittering near 80-year career – making her decision to step back from on-screen roles entirely understandable. Though she won’t appear in the third installment, there’s no doubt the film will find a way to pay a fitting tribute to her iconic character, Queen Clarisse Renaldi.” she said.
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