Galactic Emperor/Legends

"Power! Unlimited power!"

- Palpatine

Galactic Emperor was the title of the head of state of the Galactic Empire and later, the New Galactic Empire.

Succession
Palpatine was the only official Emperor of the first Galactic Empire&mdash;most of the Imperial 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 at 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.

Under the Imperial Remnant, the role of Imperial Head of State was assumed by Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet.

It was unclear what led to the appointment of Fel I as Emperor, but the title was clearly monarchical, not dependent upon election or appointment.

Powers and functions
"As the Emperor wills it, so shall it be."

- Darth Vader

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

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's power and authority in the New Galactic Empire seems to be rooted in the fact that the Imperial Remnant was ruled by the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet from 12 ABY to the formation of this new Empire.

Galactic Empire

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

Others

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

New Galactic Empire
By 130 ABY, the Galactic Empire had been restored as the dominant galactic government and was under the rule of the Emperors of the Fel dynasty. Members of the dynasty included:


 * Fel I (After 40 ABY)
 * Fel II (Before 130 ABY)
 * Roan Fel (130 ABY&mdash;)

After Darth Krayt took the throne from Roan Fel and became Emperor, the Empire split into two factions, one being led by Krayt and the other by Fel.

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.


 * Kyle Katarn becomes the new Emperor in the alternative non-canon option of Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, succeeding Jerec.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novel
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Legacy: Broken
 * Star Wars Legacy 4: Noob