The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

Costume designer Gary Jones, who had designed the costumes for the San Franciscobased “The Princess Diaries,” was a key collaborator with director Garry Marshall in bringing the pageantry of Genovia to life.

“The overall vision for this movie, which Garry, Albert Brenner and I tried to accomplish, was to create a kind of ‘magic kingdom,’” says Jones. “One of the joys of working with Garry is that he loves the costumes and how they help to tell the story, and to work with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway again was a dream.”

“Gary Jones is a brilliant designer— the costumes are incredible! We’re in Genovia now, so everyone had to dress regally and beautifully,” says Garry Marshall. “We had over 500 background performers in some scenes, along with our principal actors, and all of them had to be dressed in a certain way, down to the smallest detail.”

Jones’ work for the film ranged from formal ball gowns for Queen Clarisse and Princess Mia, a wedding dress, coronation finery, to the attire worn by members of Parliament and the military uniforms worn by the Genovian National Guard. Formal soirees and royal ceremonies abound in the film, and the costumes had to reflect the regal atmosphere. Jones worked closely with Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews on their characters’ costumes, including Princess Mia’s birthday dress, a beautiful, strapless red ball gown, one of more than 50 costume changes Anne Hathaway had for the film.

“The movie opens with Princess Mia’s 21st birthday party at the Palace, where Queen Clarisse introduces Mia to the country of Genovia, so it was a very special occasion,” recalls Jones. “We were inspired by the red dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in ‘Funny Face,’ although Mia’s dress is quite different, more youthful and sprightly,” says Jones. “It incorporates tulle, silk, satin and lots and lots of beads.”

“It was astounding how much work went into this dress, great craftsmanship,” recalls Anne Hathaway. “Not only did they individually hand place each rhinestone on the gauzy material of the dress, they turned the material over and placed rhinestones on the back, so all you could see was glittering gorgeousness. I am so lucky—each dress was like wearing a piece of art, so much fun, so glamorous—so unlike me!” Jones also designed an appropriately sumptuous gown for Julie Andrews, as Queen Clarisse, to wear as she introduces Mia to Genovia.

“It is an extremely elegant dress for an extremely elegant actress, and character,” says Jones. “I fell in love with this fabric, a peach silk chiffon, which we hand beaded on both sides for the gown, which is basically a combination of a sari and an Erte drawing. We employed several different kinds of dressmaking, and a wonderful Alix jersey sheath of solid beads underneath.”

“The costumes are just grand in this movie! Gary Jones has done a wonderful job,” says Julie Andrews. “Garry Marshall wanted me to sparkle and look ‘peppy’ in this film, so peppy I am, and wherever possible, I’ve got some shimmer going on in my clothes. One of the perks of playing this marvelous lady is that I get to wear all of these lovely clothes, crowns and tiaras, along with some incredible diamonds. It makes a girl feel great!”

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