'The Princess Diaries 3' awaits its star

The long-anticipated third instalment of the beloved 'The Princess Diaries' franchise remains firmly in development, but its journey to the screen continues to be shaped by one central factor: Anne Hathaway's demanding schedule, which has effectively delayed production timelines. Author Meg Cabot, whose book series inspired the films, offered a candid update during an appearance at BookCon 2026 in New York City on Sunday, confirming that filming has yet to begin. "I don't know when they're going to film it because Anne Hathaway, as you've probably seen, is making a million movies right now," she said, pointing directly to the star's packed workload. The sequel, first confirmed to be in development in 2022, is expected to continue the story of Mia Thermopolis, now Queen of Genovia. Despite the delay, Cabot struck an optimistic tone about the project's eventual release, suggesting that progress, while slow, remains steady behind the scenes. Offering a glimpse into the film's unusual state of readiness, Cabot revealed that a filming location is already secured. "One of these days she's going to go to the castle that we have actually rented and is sitting there waiting ... for Toronto castle and I've not been invited but I cannot wait to go to the next premiere. Movie number 3, it's going to be amazing," she remarked, adding her appreciation for loyal fans: "I want to thank you all for being supportive of Genovia." The upcoming film is set to be directed by Adele Lim, with Hathaway expected to reprise her role as Mia Thermopolis. However, her return has not been formally confirmed in all quarters, even as the project continues to move forward as a direct sequel to 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement' rather than a reboot. The original 2001 film, which helped launch Hathaway's career, featured Chris Pine and Mandy Moore, both of whom have indicated interest in returning for the third instalment. Julie Andrews, who portrayed Queen Clarisse Renaldi, has yet to confirm whether she will reprise her role, leaving one of the franchise's most iconic presences uncertain. Behind the delays lies Hathaway's crowded slate of projects. The actor is currently tied to multiple major releases scheduled for 2026, including 'Mother Mary', 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', 'The Odyssey', 'Flowervale Street', and 'Verity'. This extensive lineup has made coordinating production schedules for 'The Princess Diaries 3' particularly challenging. Even so, the film remains officially in the works at Disney, with producers and writers attached and a clear intention to continue the story rather than reinvent it. For fans, the uncertainty surrounding casting and timelines has done little to dampen enthusiasm, though it has reinforced one reality: without Hathaway, the return to Genovia would be difficult to imagine. For now, the castle may be waiting, but its queen is still busy elsewhere.