"The Princess Diaries 3" on Disney: All we know so far (2024)

It's been more than two decades since The Princess Diaries first made its way to theaters and, finally, news regarding the long-awaited third installment has been announced. It's official, The Princess Diaries 3 is finally in the works at Disney.

In 2001, The Princess Diaries, loosely based on Meg Cabot's 2000 young adult novel of the same name, hit screens and became an international hit. Its sequel in 2004, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was an equally huge success, propelling Anne Hathaway to movie-star status.

The Princess Diaries also marked the end of Julie Andrew's semi-retirement from acting and her return to Disney films since Mary Poppins, which was released in 1964.

For millennials, The Princess Diaries is one of the most-iconic films of their childhood, and fans cannot wait to see what The Princess Diaries 3 has in store.

Newsweek has everything you need to know.

The Princess Diaries 3 — All We Know So Far

The Princess Diaries 3 Release Date

At the moment, The Princess Diaries 3 does not yet have a release date.

However, the good news is, the movie is in development, with Reacher and Quantum Leap screenwriter Aadrita Mukerji penning the script.

Additionally, Debra Martin Chase, who served as a producer on the first two movies, is back to produce the third outing.

Chase and Mukerji will be joined by Melissa Stack, the screenwriter behind the Cameron Diaz comedy The Other Woman and Disney+'s Godmothered, who will executive produce the movie.

In the meantime, The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is available to stream via Disney+ now.

What Will Happen in The Princess Diaries 3?

For now, the plot of The Princess Diaries 3 has been kept largely under wraps.
However, according to a story by The Hollywood Reporter, the movie will be a continuation of the 2001 and 2004 movies, not a reboot.

The Princess Diaries saw American teenager Mia Thermopolis (played by Anne Hathaway), learn she is the heir to the throne of the European kingdom of Genovia.

Reluctantly taken under the wing of her estranged grandmother, Clarisse, the Queen Regent of Genovia (Julie Andrews), Mia was faced with the decision to either inherit her title or renounce her royalty, forever.

In The Princess Diaries 2, Mia's coronation was stopped by Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies), who was hellbent on enforcing the rule that an unmarried woman could not be made queen.

However, Mia fell in love with Nicholas (Chris Pine, in his film debut) and was ultimately crowned the Queen of Genovia.

Who Will Star in The Princess Diaries 3?

Anne Hathaway, 40, who portrayed Mia Thermopolis in the first two movies, has not yet been confirmed to return, but things are looking good for fans hoping the Oscar-winning actress will reprise her role.

Hathaway has voiced her support for a third installment over the years and her desire to return. However, it looks like it may largely depend on whether Julie Andrews, 87, would reprise her role as the Queen Regent of Genovia.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in October 2022, Hathaway said: "I would more than entertain it [The Princess Diaries 3], I'm pulling for it.

"If there's any way to get Julie Andrews involved, I think we would make it work. We would go to where she was and put a green screen behind her and just make it happen."

Whether Andrews will be back remains unknown, but unfortunately, Andrews has said in the past she would probably not reprise her role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter to mark her AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2022, Andrews explained: "I think it would be too late to do it now. 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."

Fans will be hoping Mia's love interest Nicholas, played by Chris Pine, 42, will return in The Princess Diaries 3. Both characters ended up together at the end of the second movie, and if a time jump takes place, the third installment could well see them married.

One thing is for sure, Pine is up for returning to The Princess Diaries 3. He told Extra he would return if the movie was shot in Los Angeles.

Pine said: "I mean, my God, if you've read it [the script]... I haven't, have you? 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."

In the meantime, fans have been sharing their excitement online about the return of The Princess Diaries series.

One fan posted: "need disney to cut a big check and pay anne hathaway, julie andrews, and chris pine whatever they have to in order to make them come back for princess diaries 3 this is not a joke this is my life."

A second fan tweeted: "The Princess Diaries 3 movie will heal our broken nation."

A third fan commented: "PRINCESS DIARIES 3 IN THE WORKS?????????? THE FACT THAT I GET TO SAY THAT??????????????"

The first two The Princess Diaries movies are available to stream on Disney + now.