Princess Diaries 1 & 2

by Lies

In these most recent of her movies, Dame Julie Andrews returns to where she got the most of her fame; so-called children’s movies which are enjoyed by children and adults alike. This time as the graceful grandmother-annex-Queen Clarisse, she guides her young granddaughter and Princess through the different stages of the acceptance and fulfilment of her mission in life; becoming the Queen of the kingdom of Genovia, like her father and grandfather were King before her.

Julie Andrews, like a true Queen, certainly doesn’t disappoint the high expectations and, with a royal elegance and a little wink now and then, plays her part with a grace which reminded you truly of the way she once conquered people’s hearts with her Mary Poppins and Maria Von Trapp. Especially in the second movie, when she, despite the disastrous throat operation of some years ago, lets the world enjoy her, though limited, still wonderful voice.

Also, along with Hector Elizondo, she provides for the real romance of the movie, namely the relationship between the Queen, who is a widow, and her faithful Head of Security Joseph, which in the end even develops into a marriage- and quite frankly a lot of cuteness for those of us who are a little tired of watching teenagers fall in love over and over again.

After watching both movies, only one question immediately pops into one’s mind- why do people care about the marriage of Charles and Camilla? Who needs a royal family, after all, when there is still Julie Andrews?