Julie Andrews believes Princess Diaries 3 may have been ‘shelved’ as she talks prospect of long-awaited sequel

Julie Andrews believes a third Princess Diaries film may have been ‘shelved’.  

It has been 20 years since the release of Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement hit theaters and delighted fans and a third installment in the series has long been talked about.

In fact, rumors about a third installment of the franchise started making the rounds in 2016 and in 2017 Meg Cabot, author of the book the movies are based on, gave her blessing on a third movie.

But it has been seven years since then and the entertainment industry has faced shutdowns due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. 

During an appearance on Today, the Sound of Music star, 88, offered her perspective on the third film which is certain to disappoint fans: ‘There was dialogue about it,’ she explained. However, ‘nothing had been realized. And I think I may be wrong, but I think it’s been shelved now. I can’t be sure.’

It has been 20 years since the release of Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement hit theaters and delighted fans and a third installment in the series has long been talked about, pictured here in 2011

Now that so much time has passed since talk of a third Princess Diaries movie started, Julie expressed some reluctance about returning to the franchise in the future.

‘It’s quite a long time now since the two Diaries were done, and I’m not sure, but sometimes it’s best to leave a good thing alone. I don’t like it when people milk and milk and milk the subject, you know, ’til it’s dead,’ she said.

‘I’d be very happy if we did do another one. But I don’t expect to.’

The first film in the franchise debuted in 2001 when Anne Hathaway was 22 and Andrews was 65. Andrews played Queen Clarisse Renaldi while the Devil Wears Prada star played her granddaughter, awkward teenager Mia Thermopolis who didn’t know she was a princess.

In 2019, Hathaway revealed there was a script for the third movie during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. 

‘I want to do it. Julie wants to do it. Debra Martin Chase, our producer, wants to do it. We all really want it to happen. It’s just we don’t want to unless it’s perfect because we love it just as much as you guys love it,’ Hathaway said at the time. 

This isn’t the first time the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star has talked about a potential third Princess Diaries movie. 

On the red carpet of the 2022 AFI Awards where Andrews was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, she said: ‘It depends what the story is, and if they can come up with something, that would be wonderful.’

In fact, rumors about a third installment of the franchise started making the rounds in 2016 and in 2017 Meg Cabot, author of the book the movies are based on, gave her blessing on a third movie

But it has been seven years since then and the entertainment industry has faced shutdowns due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes

‘There was dialogue about it,’ the Sound of Music star, 88, said in an interview on Today. Pictured here in 2023 

‘Nothing had been realized. And I think I may be wrong, but I think it’s been shelved now. I can’t be sure,’ she said, pictured here in 2004

Even Chris Pine, who played Hathaway’s nemesis turned love interest Nicholas Devereaux is on board to return under one certain condition.

‘If it’s in Los Angeles, I’ll be there… if it’s in L.A. It’s my hometown. I have a lot of pride,’ he told Extra.

The 2001 film was a huge hit, making more than $185 million worldwide.

The follow-up, The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement made an engaging $135.7 million in 2004.