Julie Andrews confirms she will not return for ‘Princess Diaries 3’

"The Princess Diaries" remains one of the most beloved coming-of-age films of the century, but its long-awaited third instalment just lost one of its biggest stars.

“The Princess Diaries” remains one of the most beloved coming-of-age films of the century, but its long-awaited third instalment just lost one of its biggest stars. Dame Julie Andrews has confirmed she won’t be part of it.

The 90-year-old actress played Queen Clarisse Renaldi opposite Anne Hathaway in the original films. She has now revealed she’ll be sitting out the upcoming sequel entirely.

Speaking to Today, Andrews confirmed directly that she will not appear in the new instalment. She explained that the story appears to be taking a somewhat different direction this time around.

She admitted she isn’t entirely sure how the filmmakers plan to handle that shift. According to her, the timing simply doesn’t work for her to be part of it anymore.

Andrews said she believes the story now belongs to Princess Mia, Hathaway’s character, rather than her own. She framed the decision as a natural handoff, letting the franchise continue through its central character instead.

Her comments have already sparked disappointment among longtime fans of the franchise. One user online said the script would need to be exceptional now, arguing the film has lost one of its strongest draws.

For many, Andrews’ presence was a defining part of what made the earlier films so beloved. Fans had been hoping to see her return to the big screen after years away from major on-screen roles.

Since stepping back from acting, Andrews has largely shifted toward voiceover work instead. Her absence from “The Princess Diaries 3” marks another sign of that ongoing transition away from live-action performances.

While the news has left fans emotional, it also puts more attention on how the new film will carry the story forward. With Andrews stepping aside, all eyes are now on how the franchise reintroduces its world without one of its most iconic characters.