Julie Andrews will not return as Queen Clarisse in The Princess Diaries 3, the 90-year-old actress has confirmed in a new interview.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter alongside her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, to promote their new children's book titled Shy, Andrews explained why she has decided against returning for the third movie alongside co-star Anne Hathaway.
Andrews said she believed the absolute truth was that she had now passed that stage of her career. While clarifying that she has not retired completely, the veteran actress stated she does not think she should participate in the third film.
Instead, Andrews explained that her current focus has shifted to different types of creative work away from acting. She noted that she now spends her time writing books and doing voiceover work alongside podcast recordings.
Although she described continuing to work on various projects as wonderful, Andrews emphasised that she prefers not working in front of the camera. She added that her decision was not caused by a lack of excitement, but rather a feeling that she should no longer be part of the franchise.
Future of the Franchise
When asked what direction the third film should explore, Andrews admitted she was not sure, pointing out that Hathaway is also older now than when the second movie was filmed. The original movie starred Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers she is heir to a royal throne, with Andrews playing her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia.
Andrews noted that the third movie would likely pick up from where the second film left off and move the story forward with an older version of Hathaway's character. She added that she remains interested to see what author Meg Cabot, Hathaway, and the rest of the team develop for the sequel.
Legacy and Remembrance
The announcement comes as the original film, The Princess Diaries, recently marked 25 years since its release. Asked about the enduring popularity of the movie, Andrews said she had not thought about its longevity in those terms, though she expressed great happiness over its lasting appeal.
Andrews credited much of the success to director Garry Marshall, calling the original release a very well-made movie. She described Marshall as the sweetest, funniest, most talented, and thoughtful director imaginable, adding that working on the film was a deeply pleasant experience.
