The early-2000s had some of the most iconic movies ever. This is clear in all the remakes of classic movies struggling to live up to their predecessors’ glory. Indeed, it is something special when a movie can have a sequel with the same cast, like Top Gun: Maverick, which was the biggest movie of the summer, or even 2011’s Spy Kids: All the Time in the World. One of the most beloved duology’s has just announced a third installment is in the works. This is the story of an everyday girl just trying to make it in her life, when her grandmother swoops in and tells her she is, in fact, a princess.
The Princess Diaries, with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway as the Queen and Princess duo, are set to star in a third movie in the beloved franchise (via THR). Hathaway is Mia Thermopolis, a regular American teenager who discovers that she is, in fact, the princess of a European country called Genovia. With all the charm of a coming of age movie, mixed with Andrews’ elegance and Hathaway’s wit, there were many iconic scenes from the Princess Diaries duology. Here are the best moments of the franchise (so far), ranked.
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11 The Queen’s Birthday Performance
Walt Disney Pictures
During Mia’s birthday at the palace in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, she throws the best sleepover ever. Inviting every princess from near and far, they participate in every little kids dream: mattress surfing. After, all the princesses gather and perform for each other, giving us a surprise cameo from Raven-Symoné, and, more significantly, the musical legend Julie Andrews gives a performance as well. It was the only time in both the movies that we get a musical performance from Andrews, and it is a beautiful one.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 The Wedding Vows
Throughout all of Royal Engagement, Princess Mia is tasked with finding a suitor to marry so that she can ascend the throne, per Genovian custom. During her very own ceremony, she calls off the wedding, and Mia delivers a speech to the guests, prompting a reinstatement of the old laws of Genovia. She sticks it to the patriarchal views of the court, and is able to rule without taking a husband.
9 Mia Becomes the Princess
At the end of The Princess Diaries, Mia Thermopolis stands in front of the countless leaders and accepts the title of Princess of Genovia. She calls upon the confidence that she learned and reconnects with her late father. Mia leaves her civilian status behind and steps into the role of Princess of Genovia to make a difference. It’s a coming into her own that is especially significant for Mia, who spent her entire life feeling invisible and unimportant.
8 Lord Nicholas Devereux
After learning there is a long-lost heir to the Genovian throne who currently wants to be the King, Princess Mia and the Queen prepare to meet the man. Mia tells Queen Clarisse that she already hates this guy, and lo and behold, who walks in? Only the man she found enjoyable at the ball the previous night. After exchanging introductions, the Princess then slams her heel into his foot, blaming her usual clumsiness.
7 Learning to be a Princess
One of the most iconic montages in movie (and Princess Diaries) history is when Queen Clarisse is training Mia to become a princess. She goes through a crash course on learning the appropriate manners, how to walk, how to talk, and how to ultimately behave as a princess should. Moreover, this montage really showcased Hathaway’s comedic timing, as her unserious Mia was a hilarious contrast to the propriety of the Queen.
6 Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”
In Princess Diaries 2, Princess Mia shows her people that she is right to rule and should be the Queen. Joining hands with a young girl from the orphanage, they walk through the streets of Genovia during what should have been a royal procession, showing that anyone can feel like a princess. Accompanied by the Kelly Clarkson song “Breakaway,” it truly is an iconic scene, demonstrating Mia’s advocacy for girls and young women.
5 I Loathe You
The enemies to lovers trope has never been happier than in Princess Diaries 2. After a day of trying to one-up each other, Mia and Nicholas express their true feelings for one another. They trade “I Loathe You” to each other, and claim they both hate each other. Then, they share a passionate, unexpected kiss, confessing their true feelings.
4 “I look like a moose.”
Probably the most recognizable Princess Diaries scene is when Mia gets a makeover from her previous self to her Princess self. Although many audience members have hated that her beautifully curly hair was straightened, her stylist gives a great montage scene of all the new hairstyles that she could have.
3 The Eagle is Flying for the Last Time
Through both the Princess Diaries movies, we have seen the Princess and the Queen grow and mature, and learn to go after what they each want. As the crown is being handed over to Princess Mia, the security calls over their com systems that “The Eagle is flying for the last time.” It’s a sentimental moment at Mia’s coronation, and allows for the crown to be passed, a moment that both movies have led up to.
2 Joe vs The Viscount
In one of the most applause-worthy, iconic, jaw-dropping scenes in Princess Diaries 2, the head of security, Joe, faces off against the Viscount. The Viscount threatens the Queen, and Joe says that if he hurts her, he is to remember that he has diplomatic immunity everywhere. The Viscount then says “Sir, you will find that the word fear is not in my vocabulary,” to which Joe claps back with, “Perhaps, but it is in your eyes.” Mic drop.
1 “Shut Up!”
The best moment from both Princess Diaries movies is the initial revelation. Mia has just been informed by her grandmother, whom she has just met no less, that she is heir to the throne of Genovia, the Princess of a foreign country, if she so wishes it. In a moment of teenage exasperation, she exclaimed to a Queen, “Shut up!” It is a cute, flustered moment that occurs through the rest of the movie and sets the tone for the entire franchise.
