Disney has several franchises that have become famous and loved by audiences worldwide. The Princess Diaries is one of those franchises that has stayed near and dear to viewers for several years. So much so that in April 2024, Anne Hathaway confirmed a third movie was being developed.
The franchise’s first two movies are beyond memorable, with quotable scenes and moments that left us in awe. The first movie was Anne Hathaway’s break into Hollywood, making her a fan-favorite actress for decades. However, the movies wouldn’t have been the same without the presence of Julie Andrews and her unmeasurable talent.
Here are 8 of the best moments from The Princess Diaries franchise.
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1. Mia Finds Out She is a Princess
It isn’t every day that one tells their grandmother to shut up, but Mia does so the moment she finds out she is a princess. After her father’s passing, her mother never mentioned the tiny detail that he was the prince of Genovia, making her a princess. It is her grandmother who breaks the news to her.
The moment in the garden when Clarisse tells Mia about her lineage and responsibilities to Genovia is one of the funniest in the movie. Viewers are just as surprised and amused to watch Mia’s reaction as Clarisse and everyone who works for her.
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2. Princess Mia Has a Royal Makeover
Like every Disney princess story, The Princess Diaries has moments of glamour, fashion, and that touch of royalty that makes viewers wonder what it would be like to belong to the Genovia royal family. One of those moments happens during Princess Mia’s makeover.
Until then, Mia hadn’t cared about her image; her hair was messy, and she wore no makeup. The scene in which Paolo reveals the changes he made in Mia is one of the most talked-about scenes in the movie. The audio has become so famous that people have used it on TikTok, particularly to show their wedding looks.
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3. Mia Takes Lessons with Queen Clarisse
As a commoner, Mia didn’t have to worry about how she carried herself or acted in public. On the contrary, she tried to stay in the shadows, avoiding bullies and people who made fun of her. But all that changed the moment she found out she was a princess.
From that moment on, Mia starts taking lessons about becoming a princess from her grandmother, Clarisse. These scenes are the perfect bonding time for grandma and granddaughter to get to know each other, and they are also great for displaying Julie Andrews’s comedic talent.
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4. Princess Mia Kisses Michael
According to the Disney formula, no princess (except Merida) is complete without a prince. In the first installment of this franchise, Michael (Robert Schwartzman) is Princess Mia’s prince. The two have known each other for many years because he is Mia’s best friend’s brother.
In the beginning, it seems Mia likes another teenage boy. However, things change towards the end, and Mia gets her romantic kiss on the night of the ball. It is the perfect kiss as she gets her “pop” moment.
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5. Queen Clarisse’s Big Slide
Once again, following the Disney formula, the second movie is about Mia finding a husband if she wants to become queen of Genovia. Nevertheless, the movie has great moments that distract from the husband’s hunt. One of those moments happens during Mia’s birthday sleepover.
Princess Mia decides to celebrate her birthday with other princesses at the palace with a sleepover. During the sleepover, the princesses use a giant slide to slide down on a mattress. Queen Clarisse has the most memorable slide down and reminds us of her past as Mary Poppins.
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6. Princess Mia Falls in a Fountain
Even though most people want Mia to become queen of Genovia, some are against it. Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine) and his uncle are among those who want to take the crown for themselves. While his uncle constantly tries to sabotage princess Mia, Nicholas seems to be getting under her skin in another way.
The two spend the entire movie teasing each other until they eventually fall in love. Before they realize they are in love, they have a moment in which they discuss Mia’s future husband as they go around a fountain. The two kiss and argue in circles until they fall into the fountain.
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7. Mia Becomes Queen
As much as Mia tries to follow Genovia’s rule of finding a husband before becoming queen, she realizes how wrong it is. Her grandmother ruled without a husband for many years, and she wasn’t any less of a queen because of it. Even though she seems to have found the perfect husband, she soon realizes marriage isn’t what she wants and believes the law must be changed.
Ultimately, Mia succeeds and can be crowned queen of Genovia without a husband. This is one of the movie’s most joyful and heartwarming scenes as it allows the character to come full circle in her growth as a person and a royal.
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8. Queen Clarisse and Joe’s Wedding
Fans of the movies can say that the real love story was the one between Queen Clarisse and Joe (Hector Elizondo). He cared for her for many years, ensuring no harm came. It was in those moments spent together that the two managed to fall in love.
However, nothing ever happens between them until the very end. Mia encourages her grandmother to have her own fairytale ending, and Clarisse proposes to Joe, who accepts without hesitation.
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