OVERLAY REPORT

In the 2001 film *The Princess Diaries*, the main characters are connected through long-standing childhood bonds, high school social hierarchies, and a sudden royal revelation. ### **Mia Thermopolis and Lilly Moscovitz** Mia and Lilly are **best friends from childhood**. While the movie implies a near-lifelong bond, the source material and franchise lore specify they have been best friends since **kindergarten**. They are both "social outcasts" at Grove High School in San Francisco, sharing a sense of being invisible and a disdain for the "popular" crowd. Lilly is intensely protective of Mia and hosts a public-access cable show called *Lilly Tells It Like It Is*. ### **Mia and Michael Moscovitz** Mia knows Michael because he is **Lilly’s older brother**. Because of her friendship with Lilly, Mia has been a fixture in the Moscovitz household for years. Michael is a senior at the same high school, plays in the garage band **Flypaper**, and works at a car repair shop. While Mia initially sees him only as her friend's brother, Michael has harbored a secret crush on her since long before her royal transformation. ### **Mia and Queen Clarisse Renaldi** Despite being grandmother and granddaughter, the two are **estranged and have never met** before the events of the film. Mia’s parents, Helen and Philippe, divorced when Mia was very young so she could be raised with a "normal" childhood in America. Clarisse only reaches out to Mia after the death of Mia's father (the Crown Prince of Genovia), as Mia is now the sole heir to the throne. Their first meeting occurs when Mia is invited to "tea" at the Genovian consulate in San Francisco. ### **Mia and Her Parents (Helen & Philippe)** * **Helen Thermopolis:** Mia’s mother is a single parent and artist who has raised Mia in a renovated firehouse. They have a very close, open relationship. * **Philippe Renaldi:** Mia’s late father was the Crown Prince of Genovia. Although Mia lived with her mother, her father supported them and kept in touch (Mia mentions he sent her letters and gifts). He died in a car accident two months before the movie begins. ### **Mia, Lana Thomas, and Josh Bryant** * **Lana Thomas (Mandy Moore):** Mia knows Lana as the **popular head cheerleader and school bully**. Lana has tormented Mia for years regarding her appearance and social status. * **Josh Bryant (Erik von Detten):** Josh is the popular "hottie" at school and **Lana's boyfriend**. Mia has an unrequited crush on him from afar until her "princess" status makes her famous, at which point Josh uses their school connection to seek 15 minutes of fame. ### **Mia and Joe** Joe is the **head of Genovian security** and Clarisse’s personal confidant. He and Mia meet for the first time when Clarisse arrives in San Francisco. Joe is assigned to be Mia’s limousine driver and bodyguard, eventually becoming a father figure and mentor to her as she navigates her new royal life.