AceShowbiz - Julie Andrews will not be returning as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries 3, Us Weekly reports. She feels the story centers on Princess Mia and believes it is too late for her to join the project.

Per Us Weekly, Julie Andrews has described herself as retired and declined invitations to reprise her role despite being approached throughout the last year. Deadline also confirms that she won’t be appearing in the third installment, noting that both she and Anne Hathaway’s characters have aged significantly since the last sequel. E! News adds that the creative team invited her back but respected her decision as she no longer wishes to act on camera.

Julie Andrews is best known for her iconic performances as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins and Maria in The Sound of Music. She originally joined the Princess Diaries franchise in 2001, starring alongside Anne Hathaway as the regal Queen Clarisse. The first film introduced Mia Thermopolis, a San Francisco teen discovering her royal heritage, while the 2004 sequel followed Mia preparing to succeed her grandmother on the throne.

This development signals a shift in focus for The Princess Diaries 3, which will now concentrate on Anne Hathaway’s character, Queen Mia Thermopolis. E! News reveals that Anne Hathaway has confirmed her involvement and that director Adele Lim aims to portray queens as empowering role models. With the script still in progress and no release date set, the absence of Julie Andrews underscores a new chapter for the beloved series, prioritizing fresh storytelling over legacy appearances.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Us Weekly.