Because if there is one thing the movie taught me, it’s that sometimes, the boy next door is exactly who you need.
When I think back to my younger years, The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot was the first set of books I truly fell in love with. For me, Mia Thermopolis was more than a fictional character. She was real. She was a mirror of all of the uncomfortable, self-conscious parts of me that I never understood how to manage. She wasn’t exactly what we typically expect out of a princess and that is the reason I connected with her. Mia was messy, unsure of herself, and unprepared for her brand-new life.
So when Anne Hathaway revealed on October 4 that The Princess Diaries 3 is coming, it felt like an unexpected reunion with an old friend.
The films were part of my growing up, like the books. But as much as The Princess Diaries films were charming, the movies ultimately deviated from the plots Meg Cabot laid out in her novels. In the books, it was not just about Mia becoming a princess or learning royal protocols—it was about her learning self-acceptance, her identity, and finding her place in the world.
In The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Mia has grown up, and her story takes a break from the high school setting of the first film. She’s no longer the awkward girl who just found out she’s royalty, she is a young woman about to become Queen of Genovia. In the second film, Mia finds herself thrust into the political world and has to be married within 30 days to secure her throne.
Enter Chris Pine as Nicholas Devereaux, Mia’s suitor (and potential heir) to the crown. Nicholas, played by Pine, is fun, flirty, and likable. The chemistry between Mia and Nicholas is sweet and entertaining, and the second film is lighthearted and enjoyable.
But as excited as I am for this long-awaited continuation, I have some mixed feelings about the direction the films have taken—and specifically about which characters will return. Let’s talk about Michael Moscovitz.
Just as much as I like Chris Pine—believe me, I do—I have always been much more interested in Michael Moscovitz (played by Robert Schwartzman) who was central to Mia’s story in the books, and who was (sadly) notably absent in the second movie. The reason behind is Robert’s commitment to his band, Rooney.
Michael was never the polished, princely type. He was Mia’s best friend’s older brother, the boy-next-door type who cared for Mia long before she became a royal. In the novels, Michael is a smart, geeky, down-to-earth guy. He saw Mia for who she was, her flaws, her quirks, and he loved her anyway. His character is a crucial component to Mia’s growth as a character in the novels and her connection to royalty.
While Nicholas and Mia’s romance is sweet, Michael and Mia were more real to me. Nicholas was a welcome addition to the films, but Michael represented something different—he was a window to Mia’s life before she became a princess, and he always loved her for who she was beneath the royal title.
So, as we get into The Princess Diaries 3 I kind of hope Michael comes back. There was something about how Michael and Mia’s relationship was written in the books that felt real. He had been more than a romantic interest. He had been Mia’s emotional anchor. And as much as I loved Nicholas and the second movie, I always thought Michael deserved a proper ending to Mia’s story. For one thing, the books show a more nuanced, thoughtful Mia balancing her royal duties and her private life, and Michael was part of that journey.
I also want to see which other characters return for the third film. Sandra Oh was a scene-stealer as Principal Gupta, and I’d like to see her character back for some comedic relief. Mandy Moore, who played Mia’s high school nemesis Lana Thomas, has also expressed interest in returning, although she hasn’t decided how her character would fit in the new film. Lana wasn’t the most likable character in the first movie, but she may need a redemption arc, right?
Heather Matarazzo as Lilly Moscovitz is a crucial component of Mia’s story. She was outspoken, rebellious, and never afraid to challenge Mia even when their friendship was tested. I can’t think of a third movie without Mia and Lilly, especially as Mia begins her next chapter as a queen.
And of course, the Julie Andrews. There’s the question if she will be reprising her role as Queen Clarisse. Over the years, her thoughts on returning have varied. While I understand her caution, it’s hard to imagine a The Princess Diaries without Queen Clarisse’s presence.
As we move closer to The Princess Diaries 3, it’s hard not to reflect on how much has changed since the first movie came out in 2001. Over 20 years later, the audience and the characters have grown up but the core of Mia’s story remains relatable. It is more than royal titles and tiaras. It is about finding yourself, standing for what you have faith in, and being who you are when the world wants something else.
So while I’m excited to see Mia back on screen, I’m also hoping for a return to the heart of the story I fell in love with as a teenager many years ago. And yes, I’m still rooting for Michael Moscovitz, because if there is one thing The Princess Diaries taught me, it’s that sometimes, the boy next door is exactly who you need. I still think about that line: “Why me?” Michael asked, and Mia’s answer, “Because you saw me when I was invisible,” says it all.
