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Protagonists
Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi/Mia Thermopolis
- Played by: Anne Hathaway
The protagonist of the book/film series. Once a socially awkward teenager, Mia's life changes forever when she discovers that she is a princess and next in line to inherit the throne of Genovia.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Mia has short sandy blonde hair in the novels while Anne Hathaway chose to keep her natural brown roots for the film.
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: Downplayed and eventually subverted in the films. Mia struggles with her unwanted new status throughout the first film and at one point even wants to quit.
- The opportunity to go to a beach party with longtime-crush Josh distracts Mia from the fact that she had already promised to appear on best friend Lilly's TV show. In the film she also previously had plans to hang with Michael that day which she already agreed to even before Lilly's invitation, and actually tells Michael she has to cancel to go to the party. Both the book and film has her regret her decision in the end.
- Beautiful All Along: In the first film adaptation, Mia's makeover from Paolo makes her go from awkward looking to downright stunning. It helps that her actress is Anne Hathaway to boot.
- Brainy Brunette: Played with in the adaptations. Mia is fairly smart but has blonde hair in the books, while in the films, she has brown hair.
- Friend to All Children: In both films she takes the time to be kind to younger children, the two girls outside her high school she speaks kindly to and gives an autograph, and the Genovian orphans she invites to march with her in the Royal Parade, as well as one of her first acts as future Queen, converting the Summer Palace into a children's' home, which she is seen christening after being crowned Queen of Genovia.
- Motor Mouth: One deleted scene from the film has Mia even calling herself this title.
- Nice Girl: While she has her flaws, Mia is overall a humble, sweet-natured and caring person.
- Princess Protagonist: She's the main character, and the whole plot of the film is about her adjusting to her new role as a princess.
- Quirky Curls: During the beginning half of the first film.
- Rags to Royalty: Despite many obstacles, Mia eventually comes to accept her status as a princess and her "princess lessons", eventually accepting her role as a future queen.
- Royal Bastard: Mia's father is the Prince of Genovia and her mother is an artist from the United States. She was conceived during a college fling between the two.
Joseph "Joe"
- Played by: Héctor Elizondo.
The head of security for the Genovian royal family.
- Happily Married: To Queen Clarisse at the end of the second film.
- Papa Wolf: Towards Mia beyond just being her bodyguard.
- Tranquil Fury: He delivers this line to Viscount Mabry in the second film (he doesn't raise his voice at all, but you can tell from what he says that he's really pissed off):Joe: If you hurt my girl, you will answer directly to me. And whatever crimes I commit against you, remember: I have diplomatic immunity in forty-six countries. Including Puerto Rico.
Clarisse Renaldi
- Played by: Julie Andrews
Mia's estranged grandmother and Queen Regent of Genovia.
- Adaptational Nice Girl: Because she is portrayed by Julie Andrews, the film counterpart of Clarisse is the polar opposite of her literary personality: a chain-smoking, cranky old lady who is pretty harsh with Mia.
- Composite Character: The characters of Mia's father and her grandmother were combined into one role for the movie.
- Cool Old Lady: In the films. Being played by Julie Andrews means there's no way she wouldn't be one.
- The High Queen
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Knows what’s best for Mia.
- Smoking Is Cool: In the novels.
- Spell My Name With An S: Mia calls her Grandmère in the books.
Lilly Moscovitz
- Played by: Heather Matarazzo
Mia's best friend.
- Adaptational Nice Girl: Other than rudely disapproving of Mia's makeover, in the films she remains Mia's loyal and supportive best friend throughout any fights they have and every princess ordeal Mia has to go through.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: She's rather brash towards Mia, especially when she gets her makeover.
- In the first film, she says her parents (who are psychologists) have told her she needs an attitude adjustment, which she later acknowledges.
- So Proud of You: She is seen smiling, with tears of joy in her eyes, when Mia chooses to take on her familial responsibilities, and formally declares herself "Princess of Genovia".
- Wants a Prize for Basic Decency: Can be pretty self-centered in the books, and this increases the more jealous she becomes of Mia. Averted in the films.
Antagonists
Lana Weinberger
- Played by: Mandy Moore
Mia’s rival.
- Adaptational Name Change: In order to make her sit closer to Mia in class, Lana’s surname was changed to Thomas for the movie.
- Adaptational Personality Change: Due to the later books not being written at the time, Lana is portrayed as a one-dimensional bitch who's only likable qualities are her beauty and her singing voice.
- Alpha Bitch: And it shows.
- For the Evulz: She abuses those less popular than her merely for her own sadistic amusement.
- Hate Sink: At least in the first few books and the film. Later on, she and Mia become friends.
- Jerkass: She's pretty mean-spirited to Mia (not caring if she is royalty) and domineering to everyone in the school. Enough that in the film the school staff don't seek to punish Mia when Mia messes her ice cream on Lana after having enough of Lana's jerk behavior.
- Lovable Alpha Bitch: Becomes one in the book series.
- Took a Level in Kindness: As the books go on, as Lilly and Mia's friendship starts to strain, Lana and Mia start to become friends.
Josh Richter
- Played by: Erik Von Detton
Mia’s crush.
- Adaptational Name Change: Bryant in the film.
- Big Jerk on Campus: Downplayed. He is not particularly mean, but he only kisses Mia in front of photographers to get fifteen minutes of fame.
- Jerk Jock: To Mia, Lana and her Girl Posse.
