Let’s be real for a second. We all remember the moment Chris Pine walked onto the screen in 2004 as Lord Nicholas Devereaux. It wasn't just a movie moment; it was a cultural shift for a whole generation of Disney fans. The messy hair, the smirk, and that blue sweater—it basically redefined what a romantic lead looked like for a decade. But if you look past the teen-movie gloss, there’s actually a lot more going on with Princess Diaries 2 Nicholas than just being a "hot guy with a title."
He was the catalyst for Mia Thermopolis growing up. Honestly, without the threat of Nicholas taking her throne, Mia probably would’ve just kept following Queen Clarisse’s rules until she burned out. Nicholas Devereaux wasn't just a love interest; he was a political disruptor.
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The Problem With the "Villain" Narrative
Most people remember Nicholas as the guy trying to steal Mia’s crown. That’s the "official" version of the story, anyway. His uncle, Viscount Mabrey, played by the late, great Ian McShane, was the actual villain. Nicholas was more of a pawn who realized he didn’t want to play the game halfway through.
Think about the stakes. In The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, the law stated a princess must be married to be crowned Queen. If she didn't wed, the line of succession jumped to the next male heir. That was Nicholas. He grew up hearing he was the rightful King of Genovia. Imagine being told your whole life that a job belongs to you, only to realize the person currently holding it is actually better at it than you'd ever be. That’s a lot of psychological baggage for a guy who just wanted to ride horses and hang out at garden parties.
The chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine was lightning in a bottle. It's rare to see that kind of spark in a G-rated Disney sequel. Their "enemies-to-lovers" trope was handled with a lot more nuance than we give it credit for. It wasn't just about kissing in fountains. It was about two people realizing that the "traditions" they were fighting over were actually outdated and kind of stupid.
Why Nicholas Devereaux Changed the Rom-Com Game
Before 2004, the "other man" in romantic comedies was usually a total jerk. He was the guy you were supposed to hate. But Nicholas was charming. He was funny. He actually listened to Mia. When they were stuck in that closet during the garden party, he didn't try to sabotage her—well, okay, he did tease her, but he also saw her as a real person, not just a title.
It’s interesting to look at the screenplay by Shonda Rhimes. Yes, that Shonda Rhimes. Before she was running Grey’s Anatomy or Bridgerton, she was writing the dialogue for Princess Diaries 2 Nicholas. You can see her fingerprints all over his character. He’s witty. He’s slightly arrogant but deeply insecure. He has that "Shondaland" quality where he challenges the protagonist instead of just supporting her.
Some fans still argue that Mia should have ended up with Michael Moscovitz from the first movie. I get it. Michael was the guy who saw her when she was "invisible." But Michael belonged to Mia’s San Francisco life. Nicholas belonged to her Genovian life. He understood the pressure of the crown because he was under it too.
- The Fountain Incident: A classic bit of physical comedy that showed Nicholas wasn't afraid to look like a fool.
- The Slide: The scene where they go down the palace slide is often cited as the turning point for his character. It’s when he stops being a "Lord" and starts being a guy who genuinely likes Mia.
- The Betrayal: When Mabrey filmed them at the lake, Nicholas was genuinely devastated. He wasn't in on the plan, and that distinction is what makes him a hero in the end.
The Legacy of the "Secondary" Royal
Why do we still talk about Nicholas Devereaux twenty years later? Part of it is Chris Pine’s career trajectory. This was his film debut. Before he was Captain Kirk or Wonder Woman’s boyfriend, he was the guy trying to marry a princess. But the real reason is that he represented a shift in how we view male leads in "girl movies." He wasn't a Prince Charming who came to save her. In fact, by the end of the movie, he steps aside so she can save herself.
When he stands up in the parliament and says, "A kingdom that has a princess like this one... is very lucky indeed," he isn't just being a romantic. He's forfeiting his own power. That’s a huge deal. He chooses her leadership over his own ambition. In the context of 2004 cinema, having a male lead support a female lead’s solo rise to power was actually pretty progressive.
What Most People Get Wrong About Nicholas
The biggest misconception is that Nicholas was "using" Mia the whole time. If you re-watch the movie, he’s actually pretty terrible at being a spy. He’s constantly getting distracted by her. He’s clearly enamored with her weirdness—her clumsiness, her passion for Genovia, and her refusal to fit into the royal box.
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Another thing? The age gap. In the movie, Nicholas is portrayed as a peer, but Pine was actually 23 during filming while Hathaway was 21. They were young adults navigating a very old-world system. This wasn't a high school crush; it was a high-stakes political marriage.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Writers
If you’re revisiting the world of Genovia or writing your own romance, there are a few things we can learn from the way Princess Diaries 2 Nicholas was written:
- Complexity Wins: Don't make your "rival" a one-dimensional villain. Give them a legitimate reason to want what the protagonist has. Nicholas wanted the throne because he was told it was his birthright, not just because he was "evil."
- Challenge the Protagonist: Nicholas didn't just agree with Mia. He pushed her buttons. This friction is what created the chemistry that fans still obsess over on TikTok and Tumblr today.
- The Power of the Pivot: A character's most likable moment is often when they give something up. Nicholas’s growth is defined by what he doesn't take.
- Watch the Debut Performance: For any aspiring actor or filmmaker, Pine’s performance in this film is a masterclass in "movie star charisma." He owns every frame he’s in, even when he’s just standing in the background of a coronation.
If you want to dive deeper into the Genovian lore, check out the original Meg Cabot books. Just a heads up though—Nicholas doesn't exist in the books. He was created specifically for the film. In the books, Mia’s journey is very different, which makes the movie version of Nicholas even more unique. He is a cinematic creation through and through, designed to give Mia the perfect foil as she transitioned from a girl into a queen.
To truly understand the impact of the character, look at the upcoming Princess Diaries 3 rumors. The first question every fan asks isn't about the plot—it's "Is Chris Pine coming back?" That’s the legacy of Nicholas Devereaux. He turned a "sequel love interest" into an essential part of the franchise's DNA.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Rewatch with Context: Watch the "closet scene" again and pay attention to Nicholas's body language; he's guarded until Mia starts talking about her father.
- Compare the Media: Read The Princess Diaries: Princess in Training to see how the book version of the "royal rival" (Prince Giovanni) compares to the movie's Nicholas.
- Analyze the Script: Look for Shonda Rhimes's specific dialogue patterns in the "dance" scene—you'll see the early seeds of her trademark "power-play" romantic writing.