Padmé Amidala
Name: Padmé Amidala
Homeworld: Naboo
Species: Human
Gender: Female
Height: 1.65 meters
Weapon: Royal Pistol
Vehicle: Naboo Royal (Queen's) Starship
Affiliation: Galactic Senate
Info:
Born Padmé Naberrie, Queen Amidala was the formal name of the royal leader of Naboo. As a child, Amidala was prodigiously talented and extremely well educated. She had long been interested in public service, volunteering in the Refugee Relief Movement as a child. At the age of eight, she joined the Apprentice Legislature and became and Apprentice Legislator at age 11. By 14, she was elected Queen of Naboo.
During the Trade Federation siege of Naboo, the scheming Neimoidians tried to force the strong-willed Amidala to sign a treaty that would legitimize a brazenly illegal occupation. Amidala refused, and was sentenced to a prison camp. En route to incarceration, Amidala was freed by Jedi ambassadors, who took the Queen and part of her retinue to Coruscant, to plead her case before the Senate with the help of Naboo's galactic representative, Senator Palpatine.
On Coruscant, Amidala learned of the inefficiencies of galactic politics, watching as Trade Federation political maneuvering stalemated her plea. Following advice from Senator Palpatine, Amidala called for a Vote of No Confidence in Supreme Chancellor Valorum.
Fed up with the Senate, Amidala returned to Naboo. She requested aid from the native Gungans in freeing her captured capital. During the Battle of Naboo, Amidala infiltrated her own palace, and forced Neimoidian Viceroy Nute Gunray to end the occupation. The cowardly Neimoidians, having their armies defeated, capitulated and freedom was brought back to Naboo.
While Queen Amidala was the ruler of Naboo she had a large staff of advisors and aides that handled the day-to-day affairs. Sio Bibble, for instance, was Naboo's governor. Captain Panaka was Amidala's loyal bodyguard and head of security. Ric Olié was the pilot of the Queen's gleaming Royal Starship and leader of Bravo Flight.
Perhaps most important in Amidala's entourage were her five handmaidens. Saché, Yané, Rabé, Sabé and Eirtaé not only helped the Queen with her intricate gowns, hairstyles and make-up, but they were also trained in self defense. When in danger, Queen Amidala disguised herself as one of her handmaidens, and adopted her less formal name of Padmé. When disguised as Padmé, Sabé assumed the role of Queen in her place.
When her term ended, Amidala was constitutionally obligated to step down as Queen, though the public would have easily backed an amendment allowing her to serve longer.
Still passionate about public office, Amidala served Naboo and the new Queen as Senator, taking the position once occupied by Palpatine. In a galaxy undergoing tumultuous changes, her outspoken nature shone as a beacon of reason and rationality in an increasingly fragmented Senate.
Amidala's beliefs led to her becoming targeted by violent parties working outside the system. Finding her life in danger once more, Amidala was offered the protection of the Jedi Knights.
Padmé was born in a small mountain village to humble parents. She was identified early as one of Naboo's best and brightest, and trained accordingly. She served as supervisor of the city of Theed for two years before being elected Queen of Naboo. As Amidala, she had achieved the apex of her education's goal, and to be Queen was the natural fulfillment of her potential and her training.
Amidala replaced King Veruna, who abdicated the throne in scandal, embroiled in outworld politics after a rule of 13 years. Amidala was elected in an electronic global election that lasted less than four minutes.
The Queen's elaborate gowns and make-up were steeped with historic symbols important to the Naboo. Her white painted face had stylized beauty marks on her cheeks to display symmetry, and the paint that divided her lower lip was called the "scar of remembrance", which marked Naboo's time of suffering before the Great Time of Peace.