The enormous Palace set at the Disney Ranch became the backdrop for several key scenes in “The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement.“ Brenner notes that “This is the largest piece I’ve ever designed in terms of a single unit; with the Palace’s roof and the second story to be matted in later.”
Scenes shot there include Princess Mia’s arrival at the palace; Mia’s date with a young suitor, which is interrupted by a hail of paparazzi flashbulbs; and one of Mia’s first official appearances in Genovia as Princess—a formal ceremony in which Mia reviews the Royal Guard of Genovia, and endures a bit of equestrian embarrassment.
At a private mansion in Pasadena, several acres of lavish grounds served as the rear of the Palace and its gardens. The home’s spacious back lawn became the setting for the Queen’s Royal Tea, an elegant affair attended by hundreds of highbrow guests, during which Mia charms many new countrymen, but later angers Queen Clarisse when she returns to the Palace wet and disheveled from an unfortunate encounter with Nicholas (Chris Pine)— and a decorative fountain. Also here, Mia participates in a romantic archery lesson with Nicholas, and a game of badminton with Andrew.
The exterior of the Palace and its grounds was the setting for the arrival of princesses from all over the world for Mia’s wedding shower. The “princess” slumber party was attended by Mia’s best friend Lilly, as well as a bevy of titled young guests, who roller-bladed throughout the ballroom during the festivities.
Five stages at Universal were employed to house the Genovian Palace interiors. The interior architecture of the Palace, including the living quarters, ballroom, throne room, foyer and hallways, kitchen and Parliament was built by Albert Brenner’s team of talented craftspersons, who created marble floors from masonite, stone pillars and staircases from wood and Styrofoam, and vast wall frescoes and tapestries. The walls of the Palace throne room are lined with over a dozen paintings of Genovia’s past monarchs, painted by portrait artist John Solie using various department heads and executives as models.
One portrait features Julie Andrews as the young Queen Clarisse with her husband, King Rupert; another portrait bears more than a passing resemblance to producer Mario Iscovich. One of Brenner’s own sculptures, “Stiltwalkers,” appears in Viscount Mabrey’s living quarters.
Princess Mia’s suite set was a princess’ dream come true, furnished and decorated especially for Mia by Queen Clarisse, and featuring a spacious walk-in closet full of gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories, and display drawers full of precious gems from Swiss design house Chopard. Classic furnishings by Drexel Heritage were carefully combined with antique pieces, such as two hand-painted 18th century Italian nightstands, to complete Mia’s palace living quarters.
Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu became Genovia’s famed Mertz Cliffs and beach resort area, the site of Mia’s first meeting with potential groom Andrew (Callum Blue)—made more awkward by the presence of a few too many family members and journalists. The University of Southern California stood in for Princeton University for a day of flashback filming, and in Pasadena, St. Andrews Catholic Church became the interior of the Genovian Cathedral for a lavish wedding ceremony which did not come off exactly as planned.
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