Actress Anne Hathaway has revealed that she tried very hard to convince Julie Andrews to reprise her role as Queen Clarisse in the upcoming film The Princess Diaries 3.
Speaking in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 43-year-old Oscar winner said that while Andrews declined to join the third installment, the production team remains ready to welcome her back if she ever experiences a change of heart.
Hathaway added that she would gladly accept any level of participation from the 90-year-old acting legend, including a potential narration role similar to Andrews' voiceover work on the Netflix drama series Bridgerton.
Emphasizing her admiration for her co-star, Hathaway stated that the team wants to show complete respect for Andrews, noting that few performers have contributed as much to the entertainment industry and to public joy.
Julie Andrews Focuses on New Creative Projects
The decision follows earlier comments from Andrews to The Hollywood Reporter, where the veteran star confirmed that she does not intend to appear in the third movie of the franchise.
Andrews explained that while she has not fully retired from professional life, her current work focuses on writing books, recording podcasts, and performing voiceover roles rather than major feature films.
Reflecting on her career stage, the Oscar-winning actress noted that she feels she has moved past those roles and believes it is best for her not to be part of the new production.
The Legacy of The Princess Diaries Franchise
The original film, The Princess Diaries, premiered in 2001 and launched Hathaway to international stardom alongside Andrews, who played Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia. The story followed American teenager Mia Thermopolis as she learned of her royal lineage.
The pair reunited for the 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which further established the comedy franchise as a major box-office success for Walt Disney Pictures.
While development on The Princess Diaries 3 continues, fans of the franchise will see the story progress into a new era, even as Hathaway holds out hope for a surprise return from her on-screen grandmother.
