Princess Diaries, The (film) Shy San Francisco teenager, Mia Thermopolis, receives the astonishing news that she is a real-life princess, the heir apparent to the crown of Genovia, a small European principality. Her strict and formidable grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi, arrives to give her “princess lessons,” but the two clash because Mia has no intention of leaving her normal life, and a budding romance, to become the ruler of a far-off country. Directed by Garry Marshall. Released on August 3, 2001. Stars Anne Hathaway (Mia Thermopolis), Caroline Goodall (Helen), Hector Elizondo (Joseph), Robert Schwartzman (Michael), Heather Matarazzo (Lilly), Mandy Moore (Lana), Sean O’Bryan (O’Connell), Sandra Oh (Vice Principal Gupta), Eric Von Detten (Josh), Julie Andrews (Queen Clarisse Renaldi). 115 min. Based on the novel by Meg Cabot.
