AceShowbiz - Julie Andrews is confirmed to be stepping away from her role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries 3, Us Weekly reports. The esteemed actress described herself as retired and declined the invitation to reprise her part in the upcoming film.

Us Weekly also revealed that multiple offers were made to Julie Andrews over the past year, but she ultimately chose not to participate, feeling content with her previous contributions to the franchise. This development has been corroborated by E! News and Deadline, which further note that the new installment will center more on Princess Mia, played by Anne Hathaway, rather than on the queen's character. Deadline adds that Julie Andrews acknowledged the story’s shift away from her role as a key reason for her decision, emphasizing her satisfaction with the legacy she leaves behind.

Julie Andrews is best known for her iconic performances as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins and Maria in The Sound of Music. With a distinguished career spanning over 44 credits, she also starred alongside Anne Hathaway in the original The Princess Diaries (2001) and its 2004 sequel, establishing Queen Clarisse as a beloved character in the series.

The absence of Julie Andrews in the third film marks a significant shift for the franchise, which has long celebrated the dynamic between the queen and her granddaughter Mia. Anne Hathaway has expressed enthusiasm for the project and remains attached as the lead, with the story focusing on Mia’s evolution from princess to queen. This pivot highlights the franchise’s evolving narrative while honoring Julie Andrews’s enduring influence on the series.

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