Princess Diaries 3 Goes Castle Hunting Across Europe

Good gravy, hold onto your latte—Princess Diaries 3’s location scouts are on a whirlwind castle safari across Europe, and I literally can’t keep up! According to insiders who spilled to the New York Post and confirmed whispers in People magazine, the Disney team has been “castle shopping” from the Loire Valley to the Scottish Highlands. They’ve been eyeing storied strongholds like Château de Chambord, Windsor Castle outer courtyards (no royal invitations required, apparently!), and even a secret Bavarian fortress that’s as fairy-tale as it gets.

Here’s the tea: after decades of fan petitions and Julie Andrews’ good-natured encouragement, Disney green-lit this sequel and tapped the original duo—Anne Hathaway and a rumored cameo by Julie—to reprise their roles. But first, they needed the perfect backdrop. Scouts were spotted sipping espressos in Mont Saint-Michel’s shadow (Page Six sources snapped them taking notes on ramparts), then hopping a bullet train to Edinburgh for late-night reconnaissance near Edinburgh Castle. Budget reports leaked to Variety hint at seven figures set aside just for location fees and restoration touches. Yes, you heard that right—cleaning gargoyles and polishing drawbridges.

Producers hope these epic castles will bring that genuine regal vibe Mia Thermopolis needs while she balances queenly duties with, you know, stuff like modern teen angst. They’re also checking out a lesser-known Austrian palace rumored to have secret passages—perfect for clandestine royal shenanigans. I’m practically vibrating typing this: they’re even scouting moats filled with swans for that Instagrammable moment where Mia feeds the birds while delivering witty one-liners. Sources in Entertainment Weekly say the team’s got architects on speed dial to ensure every turret and tapestry fits the film’s budget and aesthetic.

Meanwhile, fans online are deducing from airport photo-ops exactly which cities are on the itinerary, sparking speculation about surprise guest stars and whether the castle hunt will double as a spin-off travel series. Disney’s staying mum, but the castle-hopping caravan of scouts, location managers, and vintage carriage rentals is pretty hard to ignore. Expect an official announcement soon—when Disney unveils which European gem will be red carpet ready for Mia’s next regal rom-com return.

Whew, my caffeine buzz is hitting new heights just spilling all this! I swear, I could keep prattling on about turrets and tiaras all day. What’s next—will they find a hidden dungeon for dramatic plot twists? Stay tuned, because the royal rolling stone of Princess Diaries 3 is only getting started, and I need a refill!

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine, Page Six, Entertainment Weekly
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed