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Julie Andrews Says No to ‘Princess Diaries 3’

julie andrews

Dame Julie Andrews is best known by Disney fans for her role as the elegant queen of Genovia in the Princess Diaries films. Plans for a third movie in the series have gone back and forth for years, but the My Fairy Lady star (who has been described as “charming”, “gracious”, and “a little bit cheeky”) has just confirmed that Princess Diaries 3 is not happening without the late director Garry Marshall.

Although Dame Julie Andrews has been an iconic actress, singer, dancer, and performer for decades, she didn’t come to the attention of a whole new generation until her role as the Queen of Genovia in the 2001 film Princess Diaries. The movie (which stars Anne Hathaway and also features Disney princess Mandy Moore) follows an awkward teenager who undergoes a royal makeover after learning that she is actually next in line for the throne in Genovia.

Julie Andrews returned for her role of Queen Clarisse Rinaldi in the Princess Diaries sequel Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement opposite Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine, with Disney Channel star Raven-Symone joining the cast and later raving about working with the legendary celebrity.

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Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse in ‘Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’ opposite Anne Hathaway as Princess Mia. Credit: D23

Unfortunately, the Mary Poppins actress (who was worked with everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to Paul Newman) has recently said in conversations with Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly that she will not return for a third Princess Diaries movie without the “darling” director Garry Marshall — and since Garry Marshall passed away in 2016, this means that Queen Clarisse will definitely not be returning for a third movie in Genovia unless Julie Andrews (and anyone else affiliated with the movie who also feels that “it wouldn’t be appropriate”) abruptly changes their minds.

“I think it would be too late to do it now,” the author of The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles said. “There was talk of a sequel many, many years ago. But I don’t think it ever came to pass. And Garry then did leave us. [For] especially me, it’s too far down the line now to go back to it. It’s a lovely thought, but I don’t think it would probably be possible.”

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Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse. Credit: D23

“He was incredibly generous. When I first met him [Garry Marshall], and I had never met him until the role was being talked about, he asked some fabulous questions, like, ‘where do you think Genovia is? What do you think Genovia is famous for?'” Dame Julie Andrews recalled. “I said something idiotic like, “The nuns in the country would’ve made lace and exported it, and maybe they’re famous for their very beautiful pear trees and their pears.” Well, we had pears all over the set and lace costumes. He embraced what everyone cared to offer.”

The renowned actress (who has actually played a Disney princess herself in a little-known role and who currently voices Lady Whistledown on the hit Netflix show Bridgerton) has been involved with Walt Disney World for decades, and actually played a part in both its opening and Walt Disney World’s recent 50th-anniversary celebrations!

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Julie Andrews as Cinderella. Credit: vintagenewsdaily.com

Now the actress and children’s author was also just awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute, and the awards celebration at the Dolby Theater included a touching Sound of Music reunion. Princess Diaries fans might be sad about missing out on Princess Diaries 3, but Julie Andrews herself is still bringing joy to audiences everywhere!

About Sharon

Sharon is a writer and animal lover from New England. Sharon's two main focuses in her work are Disney's correlations with pop culture and the significance of Disney princesses (which was the basis for her college thesis). When she's not writing about Disney, Sharon spends her time singing, dancing, and cavorting with woodland creatures!

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