Galactic Emperor/Legends

The Galactic Emperor was the original head of state of the Galactic Empire.

Succession
Palpatine was the only official Emperor&mdash;most of the leaders who followed were not recognized by all Imperials or never made use of the title of Emperor.

Emperor Palpatine's official heir would normally be Darth Vader as his Sith apprentice; however, there were indications that he never intended this to happen&mdash;he wanted Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, to take his father's place on Palpatine's side by killing Vader. However, Palpatine had prepared clone bodies of himself to take his place after his deaths. So there was never an official method for choosing a new Emperor.

In the Declaration of a New Order, Palpatine's speech had indicated that the Imperial Senate would elect the Galactic Emperor, but no one in the Imperial High Command had any desire to restore a body that would probably dissolve the Empire, so many Imperial commanders became rogue warlords after the Battle of Endor.

Powers and functions
The Galactic Emperor's power and authority were mainly derived from those of the Supreme Chancellor and the additional rights bestowed upon that office by the Galactic Senate during the Separatist crisis and Clone Wars.

It was the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Empire, and had absolute authority over its military and bureaucracy. The Emperor had sole power over appointing and dismissing Grand Moffs. The Emperor proposed the budget, called the Imperial Senate into session, and dismissed it from meeting. It could both introduce and veto Senate legislation.

The Emperor was the head of the Imperial Inner Circle, and at least technically was advised by the Senate.

List of Emperors

 * Palpatine (19 BBY–4 ABY)
 * Sate Pestage (4 ABY–5 ABY)
 * Paltr Carvin (5 ABY)
 * Ysanne Isard (5 ABY–8 ABY)
 * Trioculus (in opposition to Ysanne Isard) (5 ABY)
 * Kadann (in opposition to Ysanne Isard) (5 ABY)
 * Thrawn (de facto only) (9 ABY)
 * Palpatine (reborn) (10 ABY–11 ABY)
 * Carnor Jax (11 ABY)
 * Burr Nolyds (11 ABY)
 * Xandel Carivus (11 ABY)

There were also:
 * Demetrius Zaarin, who attempted to replace Palpatine
 * Trachta, who also attempted to replace Palpatine
 * Ederlathh Pallopides, whom others attempted to make puppet Empress

By 140 ABY, Fel I, Fel II, and Roan Fel had all been Emperors of the Legacy era Empire. Whether there were any Emperors prior to Fel I remains to be seen.

Behind the scenes

 * While Thrawn claimed to be the sole legitimate leader of the Empire, it is not believed that he ever claimed the title of Emperor. However, it could be argued that he was Emperor de facto if not de jure.