The Princess Diaries: Then And Now

There's no denying we wanted our lives to be a fairytale like The Princess Diaries.

the princess diaries anne hathaway julie andrews

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Updated on

It's been nearly 18 years since The Princess Diaries hit our screens. The film adaptation of Meg Cabot's novels didn't just jump start Anne Hathaway's career: it also brought us one of the best makeover sequences in teen movie history, gave us unrealistic expectations about kissing (the foot has to pop!) and taught us some pretty excellent life lessons in the process - namely that 'a queen is never late, everyone else is simply early...' Anyone else still waiting for Julie Andrews to swoop in and tell them they're first in line to the throne of a small European nation?

While it's still unconfirmed if there's going to be a third Princess Diaries, we've dug through the archives to find out what your favourite Genovians are up to right now...

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The Princess Diaries Cast Then And Now

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CREDIT: Rex Features; Getty Images

Anne Hathaway - Mia Thermopolis

You're probably pretty familiar with Anne Hathaway's post-Princess career. Since her breakout role as the endearingly dorky Mia, she's starred as the equally nerdy Andy in The Devil Wears Prada, and won an Oscar for her heart-wrenching turn as Fantine in the big-screen adaptation of Les Miserables. She's just given birth to a baby boy named Jonathan.

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CREDIT: Rex Features, Getty Images

Julie Andrews - Queen Clarisse

Living legend, everyone's dream Hollywood grandma and the original Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews received a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2011. She stole the show at last year's Oscars ceremony when she appeared on stage with Lady Gaga, and recently announced that she'll be directing a production of My Fair Lady this year. All hail Queen Clarisse.

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CREDIT: Rex Features, Getty Images

Heather Matarazzo - Lily Moscovitz

Post-Diaries, Heather Matarazzo, aka Mia's annoying-but-well-meaning-really best friend Lily, has had roles in a stream of major US TV shows, like The L Word, Law & Order and Grey's Anatomy. She's also pals with Orange Is The New Black star Ruby Rose.

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CREDIT: Rex Features, Getty Images

Robert Schwartzman - Michael Moscovitz

Michael and Mia's romance didn't last long - by the time Princess Diaries 2 came around, he was but a distant memory explained away in an opening voiceover. Robert Schwartzman's turn as a teen love interest put him in good stead for his next career move, writing episodes of The OC and One Tree Hill. He's best known as the lead singer of Rooney, and most recently worked on the score to James Franco's film, Palo Alto. Fun fact: Robert is the brother of Jason Schwartzman, who's in basically every Wes Anderson film, and the cousin of Sofia Coppola and Nicolas Cage.

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CREDIT: Getty

Erik von Detten - Josh Bryant

As Mia's crush Josh Bryant, Erik nails the role of the school 'hottie' that everyone fancies despite being a personality vacuum (see also - Ethan from Lizzie McGuire). His biggest role since TPD was voicing creepy kid Eric in Toy Story 3.

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CREDIT: Rex Features: Getty Images

Mandy Moore - Lana Thomas

Before her role as mean cheerleader Lana, Mandy Moore was already something of a tween idol thanks to her musical career. She went on to star in weepy Noughties classic A Walk To Remember, and eventually became a Disney princess herself as the voice of Rapunzel in Tangled. She's set to reprise this role in a TV reboot of the film, which is pencilled in for 2017.

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CREDIT: Rex Features; Getty Images

Hector Elizondo - Joe the Bodyguard

Admit it - Mia's wise bodyguard (and future step-grandad) Joe is the only reason you can attribute that 'no one can make you feel inferior without your consent' quote to Eleanor Roosevelt. Hector Elizondo has a successful television career, most recently starring in US comedy Last Man Standing, and pops up in ensemble rom-coms Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve opposite the whole of Hollywood.

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CREDIT: Tumblr; Getty Images

Sandra Oh - Vice Principal Gupta

Vice Principal Gupta is only on screen for about three minutes, but she manages to steal the show with her telephone manner ('The Queen is coming. To Grove High School'). Sandra Oh is best known for her role as Cristina Yang in Grey's Anatomy, and has also done voice work for Phineas and Ferb and American Dad!

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CREDIT: Rex Features; Getty Images

Chris Pine - Nicholas Devereaux

Chris Pine's turn as Mia's rival to the Genovian throne - slash - sleazy love interest was one of his first major film roles. Since then, he went on to star opposite Lindsay Lohan (and McFly!) in 2006's Just My Luck, before landing the part of Captain Kirk in JJ Abrams' Star Trek re-boot. He also returns to his princely roots in 2014's Into The Woods, in which he plays the Prince to Anna Kendrick's Cinderella.

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CREDIT: Rex Features; Getty Images

Raven Symoné - Asana

Psychically gifted Disney Channel star and ex-Cheetah Girl Raven Symoné has a brief cameo in Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. These days, she can be found hosting ABC's panel show The View (think along the lines of an American Loose Women equivalent), and also has a recurring role in award-winning drama Empire as a vengeful ex-wife.

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CREDIT: Rex Features; Getty Images

Callum Blue - Andrew Jacoby

Callum played Mia's almost-husband Andrew Jacoby, aka the Duke of Kenilworth (as you've probably guessed, this is not a legitimate royal title). He's since starred in a mixure of British TV dramas like The Tudors and ITV's Secret Diary Of A Call Girl and American shows like Smallville, in which he plays Superman's nemesis, Zod, and Proof.

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