Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Princess Diaries. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Mia Thermopolis, a fourteen-year-old New Yorker who learns she is the heir to the throne of the small European country of Genovia, accepts her role. She goes to the Cultural Diversity Dance with her friend Michael Moscovitz, realizes she likes him, and decides that being a princess doesn't mean giving up who she is.
Quick facts
– Book: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
– First published: 2000
– Type: A young adult novel
– Tone of the ending: Joyful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Mia's father reveals he is the prince of Genovia and that, since he can't have more children, she is the heir. Her stern grandmother, Grandmère, gives her princess lessons. Mia struggles with algebra, her mother dating her teacher and being bullied by Lana.
What Happens at the End of The Princess Diaries
A reporter learns Mia's secret after a slip by Grandmère's staff, and the news spreads through school. Suddenly popular, Mia is asked to the Cultural Diversity Dance by Josh Richter, the senior heartthrob, who has just broken up with Lana. At the dance, Josh kisses her in front of photographers, and Mia realizes he only wanted publicity. She also argues with her best friend Lilly, who is jealous and sarcastic. Mia apologizes to Lilly and her date, and Michael, Lilly's brother, asks her to dance. As they slow-dance, Mia realizes she has feelings for him. She accepts that she will be a princess, deciding she can do it her own way, and she even passes algebra.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Mia accepts her role.
- Josh uses her.
- She likes Michael.
- She stays herself.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Mia Thermopolis | Accepts being a princess |
| Michael Moscovitz | Mia's crush |
| Lilly Moscovitz | Mia's best friend |
| Grandmère | Teaches Mia |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows self-acceptance.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers compare the book with the film, which keeps the heart of the story but changes many details. The diary format makes Mia's voice funny and honest.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Identity. Mia's identity.
Growing up. Mia matures.
Friendship. Mia and Lilly.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Princess Diaries as joyful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Meg Cabot to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are joyful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Meg Cabot closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2001 film changes Mia's home to San Francisco and makes her grandmother warmer.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Princess Diaries with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about identity, and do you agree with Meg Cabot's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as joyful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces identity and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Meg Cabot leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Princess Diaries often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Princess Diaries earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Princess Diaries on Amazon
Books to Read After The Princess Diaries
- Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
- To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Related: What Age Is The Princess Diaries Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Princess Diaries?
Mia Thermopolis, a fourteen-year-old New Yorker who learns she is the heir to the throne of the small European country of Genovia, accepts her role. She goes to the Cultural Diversity Dance with her friend Michael Moscovitz, realizes she likes him, and decides that being a princess doesn't mean giving up who she is.
Is the ending of The Princess Diaries happy or sad?
Most readers call it joyful.
What does the ending of The Princess Diaries mean?
The ending shows self-acceptance.
Is the ending of The Princess Diaries the same in the adaptation?
The 2001 film changes Mia's home to San Francisco and makes her grandmother warmer.
Who wrote The Princess Diaries and when was it published?
The Princess Diaries was written by Meg Cabot and first published in 2000.
Is The Princess Diaries worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Meg Cabot prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Princess Diaries before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.