Hello readers, and welcome to the companion guide for Padmé Amidala!
With Obi-Wan’s memories of Padmé in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, I thought it was time that the queen of Naboo and her royal handmaidens got some attention. Padmé and her handmaidens were first introduced in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. When I first saw the movie I instantly fell in love with Padmé (Natalie Portman) and everything she stood for. She was brave, smart, and charming and I still look up to her as an adult.
Quick start:
- Queen’s Peril (2020) (novel)
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2003)
- The Clone Wars (2008)
- S1 E4, 8, 11-12, 17-18, 22; S2 E4, 14-15, 19; S3 E5-8, 10-11; S4 E1-6, 14-15, 18; S5 E20; S6 E5-8; S7 E2
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
As always, strong recommendations are in bold. Have fun watching!
“We are brave, your highness.”
Padmé throughout the prequel trilogy
The Galactic Republic (Before 22 BBY)
When Padmé was elected the youngest queen in Naboo’s history she changed royal tradition forever. Having Sabé (Kiera Knightly) as her body double and all of her handmaidens having different skills created new ways to protect the throne including each of them being trained in espionage. In total Padmé had 13 handmaidens. There was Sabé, Rabé, Eiraté, Saché, Yané, Cordé, Dormé, Versé, Karté, Moteé, Ellé, Duja, and Teckla Minnau. For a long time, it has been a mystery as to what the purpose of the handmaidens was, and also why Padmé had elaborate outfits and a strange accent. Now thanks to Queen’s Peril, we know why Padmé wanted to take all these precautions.
- 32 BBY
- Queen’s Peril (2020) (novel)
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 28 BBY
- Queen’s Shadow (2019) (novel)
- 22 BBY
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2003)
- Queen’s Hope (novel) (2022)
- Star Wars: Brotherhood (novel) (2022)
- Age of Republic: Padmé Amidala (2019) #1
- Note: 1 in a 6-issue one-shot series by Jody Houser & Cory Smith
Queen’s Trilogy book covers
The Clone Wars (22 – 19 BBY)
During The Clone Wars Padmé continued her trend of going on dangerous political missions. She and the faction of senators she became part of, including Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, were all on a mission to end the war no matter what they had to do. Even if it meant helping Separatists, Padmé would always help a friend in need.
- 22 BBY
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) (Movie)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020) (TV series)
- Season 1
- 4. Destroy Malevolence
- 8. Bombad Jedi
- 11. Dooku Captured
- 12. The Gungan General
- 17. Blue Shadow Virus
- 18. Mystery of the Thousand Moons
- 22. Hostage Crisis
- Season 2
- 4. Senate Spy
- 14. Duchess of Mandalore
- 15. Senate Murders
- 19. The Zillo Beast Strikes Back
- Season 3
- 5. Corruption
- 6. The Academy
- 7. Assassin
- 8 Evil Plans
- 10. Heroes on Both Sides
- 11. Pursuit of Peace
- Season 1
Padmé in The Clone Wars
- Season 4
- 1. Water War
- 2. Gungan Attack
- 3. Prisoners
- 4. Shadow Warrior
- 5. Mercy Mission
- 6. Nomad Droids
- 14. A Friend in Need
- 15. Deception
- 18. Crisis on Naboo
- Season 5
- 20. The Wrong Jedi
- Season 6
- 5. An Old Friend
- 6. Rise of Clovis
- 7. Crisis at Heart
- 8. The Disappeared Part 1
- Season 7
- 2. A Distant Echo
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017) (web series)
- Season 1
- 6. The Imposter Inside
- 11. The Starfighter Stunt
- Season 2
- 2. Unexpected Company
- 10. Monster Misunderstanding
- Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark – Pursuit of Peace (book)
- Season 1
Padmé & Anakin in The Clone Wars season 7
The Galactic Empire (19 – 0 BBY)
Of course, we all know how Padmé’s story ends in Revenge of the Sith, but Sabé wouldn’t rest until she got to the bottom of this mystery. After her death, Sabé and ex-Naboo guards formed a rebel group called Amidalans. Their goal is to hunt down and kill the person responsible for Padmé’s death. There isn’t much about these characters during this time. Hopefully, with Sabé being a popular character and appearing in the new Darth Vader comics there might be more about the Amidalans in the future.
- 19 BBY
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Thrawn Alliances (2018) (novel)
- 3 ABY
- Darth Vader (2020) #1-4, 20-21, 23-24 (comic)
- Note: This series is ongoing but Sabé is expected to be in the next few issues
- 4 ABY
- Star Wars: Shattered Empire (2015) #2-3 (comic)
Sabé & Darth Vader in Darth Vader (2020) #23
That’s everything about Padmé and her royal handmaidens! I hope you enjoy the books and that you’ll have a new appreciation for Padmé and her handmaidens.
Have you read any of The Queen’s Trilogy? What’s your favorite Padmé moment? Do you have a favorite handmaiden? Let’s chat about it on Twitter @MyCosmicCircus and follow us for more Star Wars news!
All images courtesy of Disney.
Also check out my other Star Wars companion guides, including one all about Padmé’s daughter Princess Leia Organna.
