Anne Hathaway is officially returning to Genovia, and while we are all waiting for the "shut up!" moment, the real story for parents is whether this third installment will capture the G-rated magic of the early 2000s or pivot into something more "modern Disney."
TL;DR: The Princess Diaries 3 is currently in production with Anne Hathaway reprising her role as Mia Thermopolis, now the Queen of Genovia. While Julie Andrews is unlikely to return as Queen Clarisse, the film is expected to follow Mia as she mentors a new generation of royalty. It is the ultimate nostalgia play for fans of The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, and it will likely be a safe, charming pick for a family movie night.
After two decades of "will they, won't they" rumors, the third film is finally a reality. Anne Hathaway confirmed her return back in late 2024, and since then, the project has moved into active production with Adele Lim directing. Lim, who wrote Crazy Rich Asians, is a choice that suggests we are going to get a Genovia that feels a bit more lush and perhaps a bit more culturally grounded than the backlot-Europe vibe of the original films.
Hathaway isn't just showing up for a paycheck; she is producing this one. That matters because she has been vocal about honoring the legacy of the late Garry Marshall, who directed the first two. Expect the tone to stay firmly in the "heartwarming comedy" lane rather than a gritty reboot. Based on the script development, the story is set to pick up in real-time, meaning Mia has been running a country for twenty years.
We have to address the elephant in the ballroom: Julie Andrews has signaled multiple times that she likely won't be back. She has been gracious about it, noting that "it's a settled thing" and she's "too old" to be jumping back into the tiara.
If Queen Clarisse is missing, the movie loses its sharpest comedic edge. The chemistry between Andrews and Hathaway was the engine of the first two films. Without her, the film will have to find a new "mentor" figure or lean heavily into Mia’s own journey as a mother or leader. For kids who have binged the first two on Disney+, the absence of Grandma will be the first thing they notice.
The word from the set is that The Princess Diaries 3 will introduce a new, younger lead—possibly a daughter or a long-lost relative—who needs the same "princess lessons" Mia once endured. This is a classic Disney move to keep the franchise alive for another decade.
For parents, this is the part to watch. The original films were masterpieces of "clean" tween content. They dealt with social anxiety, the pressure to conform, and the ethics of leadership without leaning on the cynical "mean girl" tropes that dominate modern high school shows. If the new film follows the blueprint of the The Princess Diaries books by Meg Cabot, we can expect a story that values character over clout.
The reason these movies still have a death grip on the culture is that they are fundamentally about the fantasy of being seen. Mia Thermopolis was the patron saint of the "invisible" kid. Even in a world of TikTok and influencers, that feeling of being a "frizz-head" who doesn't fit in is universal.
If your kid is already obsessed with the first two, they are likely looking for that same wish-fulfillment. The third film is expected to double down on the Genovian aesthetic—the fashion, the palaces, and the royal protocols. It is high-quality "comfort food" media.
Since we are still a bit away from the theatrical release, you have time to build a Genovia-adjacent watchlist. If your kid loves the "ordinary girl becomes extraordinary" trope, there are a few other titles that hit the same notes without the royal baggage.
- The Princess Diaries: Obviously. The 2001 original is still the gold standard for this genre.
- Ella Enchanted: Another Hathaway classic that plays with fairy tale tropes in a self-aware way.
- The Princess Bride: If they want more "royalty with a sense of humor," this is the mandatory next step.
- Hilda: For younger kids who like the idea of a girl navigating a strange, magical world with integrity.
When the trailer eventually drops or when you sit down for the inevitable rewatch of the originals, use it as a bridge to talk about the "makeover" trope. Mia’s transformation is iconic, but the real "makeover" in the films is always her confidence, not her hair. Ask your kid: "Do you think Mia would have been a good Queen if she hadn't changed her look?" It’s a low-stakes way to talk about self-image and the difference between how people see us and who we actually are.
Q: Is Anne Hathaway actually in Princess Diaries 3?
Yes. Anne Hathaway has officially confirmed her return and is also serving as a producer on the film. She has been the driving force behind getting the third movie into production.
Q: Will Julie Andrews be in the new movie?
As of now, it looks unlikely. Andrews has stated in several interviews that she feels the time has passed for her character to return, though fans are still holding out hope for a small cameo or a voice-over.
Q: What is the release date for Princess Diaries 3?
Disney has not set a firm release date yet, but with production moving forward in 2025 and 2026, a late 2026 or early 2027 theatrical window is the most realistic expectation.
Q: Is Princess Diaries 3 based on a book?
While the original was based on Meg Cabot’s series, the third movie is expected to be an original story that follows the continuity of the films rather than a direct adaptation of the later books like Royal Wedding.
The Princess Diaries 3 looks like it will be a rare win for multi-generational viewing. It’s a chance for parents to share a piece of their own childhood with their kids without the "cringe" factor that usually comes with modern reboots. As long as the script keeps the heart of Mia Thermopolis intact, Genovia is in good hands.
If you’re planning a royal-themed marathon, check out our best movies for kids list for more age-appropriate picks, or see our digital guide for middle school if your "princess" is starting to navigate the real-world version of high school.
