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In Star Wars, Padmé is known by the name Amidala. But while that is her best-known last name, it’s not her only one.
Padmé Amidala was one of the most beloved queens and senators during Star Wars‘ Age of the Republic due to her diplomatic decision-making and willingness to fight for the people she cared for. Her political career began at a young age, and almost every aspect of her choices is politically minded. That includes taking the last name Amidala in following with Naboo’s customs, meaning she actually has two last names.
Born to Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie, Padmé Naberrie quickly took to the idea of politics and helping others and joined the Apprentice Legislature at age 8. While there, she learned much about galactic politics, even becoming a junior senatorial advisor. Back at home, Padmé continued her political education and enrolled in the Royal Academy of Theed, where she spent every moment learning about the inner workings of Naboo politics. Finally, after serving two years as a supervisor, Padmé Naberrie started her campaign to be queen.
Naboo’s political structure is unique even by real-world standards. It serves as both a monarchy and democracy, with votes held to choose the next queen. While kings could also run, those on Naboo often elect young women because they believe that their purity and wisdom are lost on adults. It may seem unorthodox to elect younger people into positions of power, but their structured educational system, like the one Padmé enrolled into, ensures that their rulers are politically minded even at a young age.
One of the main customs when campaigning for the role of Naboo’s monarch is to run under a new identity. This is to maintain anonymity among the people, though it may also have helped monarchs maintain a sense of separation between their public and private lives. As “Candidate Amidala,” Padmé pushed to abolish their isolationist tendencies and make allies with their neighbors. However, following her victory, her intelligence and composure were put to the test thanks to the Trade Federation. Queen Amidala’s first major conflict was with the threat of invasion by the Trade Federation, which had set up a blockade keeping anyone from leaving. But with the help of Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, she reached the Senate, explained her position and returned to drive off the Separatists.
After two terms, Queen Amidala left as one of Naboo’s most beloved rulers. She was so adored, the people even wanted to make a law allowing her to serve for one more term. But Amidala instead chose to set her sights higher, joining the Galactic Senate on Coruscant. While there, she still maintained her last name, possibly because it was the name she made public and was more recognized due to her successes as a leader. As a Senator, she endured multiple assassination attempts and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to discover the truth of any sinister dealings.
Although Padmé will always be a Naberrie at heart, the feats she has accomplished as Padmé Amidala prove why she kept her name for as long as she did. In taking on the “Amidala” identity, she did more than use it to hide her real name; she made a difference with it and ensured that if anyone were to utter it, it was going to be out of positivity. Padmé understood the people in ways that no other senator could, which is why she is one of Star Wars‘ most trusted rulers.
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