- "Senate Investiture. I absolutely adore this holiday."
- ―Toffi
Senate Investiture, also known as Vesty, was the annual holiday that marked the swearing in of new senators who served in the Imperial Senate, when new members took an oath of allegiance to the Galactic Empire. The holiday was recognized and celebrated over the course of a full week alongside the other celebrations of Ascension Week, with countless parties and banquets held on Coruscant, the Imperial capital world, culminating in the Imperial Ball on the evening of Empire Day. Individuals from across the Empire's political high society, from politicians to wealthy benefactors to Imperial Military officers, attended banquets in honor of the occasion.
Description[]
Ceremony[]
- "Upon my life and honor…"
"Life and honor…"
"For the peace and bounty of all beings…"
"Peace and bounty…"
"My full allegiance…"
"Full allegiance…"
"A galaxy of worlds…"
"A galaxy of worlds…"
"A galaxy assembled…"
"A galaxy assembled…"
"An Empire!" - ―The Oath of allegiance
The Senate Investiture was a ceremony which took place on the morning of[2] Empire Day[4] and marked the swearing in of new Imperial Senators.[2] The Investiture Oath of allegiance was taken in the Imperial Senate Building and administered by an Oathkeeper; during the ceremony, the new senators' repulsorpods surrounded the Chancellor's Podium from where the Oathkeeper chanted, while all sitting Senators stood in attention and repeated the Oath after the Oathkeeper.[2]
Celebration[]
- "I count eighty. Eighty new senators, all hosting "Investiture banquets". It's tough squeezing a whole year's worth of insincerity into three nights."
- ―Perrin Fertha
The Investiture ceremony was the focal point of a major Imperial holiday, celebrated across the span of a week on[1] the capital planet Coruscant.[1] During this week,[2] known as Ascension Week,[3] new senators hosted "Investiture banquets", which all members of Coruscanti high society were expected to attend. At the same time, members of Coruscant's elite hosted their own parties, whose invitees included high-ranking Imperial Military officers, wealthy nobles and businessmen.[2] The celebrations culminated in the Imperial Ball, held on the Imperial Palace on the eve of Empire Day,[4] an event which was known as the week's "hottest ticket".[1]
History[]
- "That was my last Investiture party of this season."
"Don't tell me you left poor Breha up there all alone."
"No, we had to split up to cover the rounds. I drew Sculdun." - ―Bail Organa and Perrin Fertha on the misfortune of attending Davo Sculdun's party
During the Investiture week of 3 BBY, Bix Caleen watched a segment of the talk show Good Morning, Coruscant while hiding in the Axis network safehouse. During the show, hosts Toffi and Moffi discussed the upcoming celebrations, and Toffi revealed that Moffi was invited on the Imperial Ball, promising to reveal exciting information about the "hottest ticket in town."[1]
During the investiture celebration, Mon Mothma stormed out of the Galactic Senate Chamber in the middle of the oath, with her aide Erskin Semaj following closely behind. On that same night, Mothma attended Davo Sculdun's gala along with her husband Perrin Fertha. As they were arriving at the party, they encountered fellow senator Bail Organa, who revealed that he had ended up in the gala after losing the draw with his wife Breha Organa.[2]
After joining the party and meeting with Sculdun, the Mothmas had their picture taken by a paparazzi droid. Mothma then met with Axis network organizer Luthen Rael and Rael's assistant Kleya Marki, who were invited to the gala under their personas as art dealers to Sculdun. Mothma took Rael aside and demanded to know where her cousin Vel Sartha, a rebel working for Rael was, pointing out that she cared for Sartha and asking Rael to pass the message along. At this point, their discussion was interrupted by Runai Sculdun, who invited them both to a private tour of Davo Sculdun's gallery. During the tour, a tense debate erupted between Mothma and fellow guest Orson Callan Krennic, who was present at the party along with an Imperial Security Bureau delegation, while discussing the Battle of Carmeen.[2]
Appearances[]
Star Wars: Andor — "I Have Friends Everywhere" (First mentioned)- Star Wars: Andor — "What a Festive Evening" (First appearance)
