Wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala

Previous	First Battle of Geonosis
Wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala
Date	22 BBY (13:5 GrS)
Place	Varykino, Naboo
Outcome	Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala are married
Participants	Maxiron Agolerga Padmé Amidala C-3PO R2-D2 Anakin Skywalker

"I simply cannot understand how Master Anakin could ever hurt her. You remember the wedding, don't you Artoo?"
"Vooweep!"
"They seemed like such perfect counterparts."

―C-3PO and R2-D2, shortly after Padmé Amidala's death

The wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala took place at the Varykino Villa on the planet Naboo in 22 BBY. The two first met ten years prior on the planet Tatooine, at the time Skywalker had been an enslaved nine-year-old and Amidala was fourteen-years-old and serving as the Queen of Naboo. Having escaped the invasion of her homeworld, Amidala was disguised as one of the queen's handmaidens.

Prelude

Fateful meeting (32 BBY)

Tatooine

"I'm going to marry you,"
[laughs]
"I mean it."
"You are an odd one, why do you say that?"
"I guess because it's what I believe…"
"Well I'm afraid I can't marry you… [forgetting his name]"
"Anakin."
"Anakin. You're just a little boy."
"I won't always be."

―Anakin Skywalker predicts his marriage to Padmé Amidala on their first meeting

The first meeting of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala

Anakin Skywalker, a nine-year-old enslaved boy, and Padmé Amidala, the fourteen-year-old Queen of Naboo, first met on the planet Tatooine in the year 32 BBY. Amidala had escaped her homeworld after it was invaded by the Trade Federation, and was forced to land on Tatooine to repair her starship's hyperdrive generator. While masquerading as one of her handmaidens under the name of Padmé Naberrie, along with the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, the Gungan Jar Jar Binks, and the astromech droid R2-D2, Naberrie arrived in Watto's junkshop to purchase a hyperdrive, where Skywalker was enslaved.

While Jinn negotiated with Watto, Skywalker asked Naberrie if she was an Angel, a species from the moons of Iego considered the most beautiful in the known Universe. Naberrie was confused but pleased and continued to converse with Skywalker while he discussed his aspiration of becoming a pilot. She felt an immediate connection with the boy, as though she had known him all her life. After they both laughed at Binks' clumsy attempt to deal with a pit droid he had activated, Skywalker looked at Naberrie and stated that he would marry her. She laughed off his claim, given his age, but Skywalker insisted that he would not always be a child.

Qui-Gon Jinn (left) believed that Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One, which changed the child's destiny.

Skywalker was eager to spend more time with Naberrie, inviting her and her companions into his home, where he introduced Naberrie to a droid he had been building: C-3PO. Jinn had been unable to pay Watto for the hyperdrive in a currency he would accept, but Skywalker offered to win the upcoming Boonta Eve Classic podrace and use the prize winnings to pay for the hyperdrive. The Jedi made a wager with Watto that would secure Skywalker's freedom if he won the race, but not that of his mother, Shmi Skywalker. He had confirmed a high level of Force-sensitivity in Skywalker and hoped to train him as a Jedi, believing he was the Chosen One destined to bring balance to The Force. Following the toss of the chance cube for the wager, Naberrie discussed the cruelty of slavery with Skywalker and promised that she would do what she could to get the Republic to end slavery. Skywalker commented that leaving Tatooine as a free man would make things much easier for him when they got married.

Coruscant

"It's beautiful. But I don't need this to remember you. How could I forget my future husband?"

―Padmé's response to Anakin's gift of a japor snippet

While travelling to Coruscant, Skywalker gave Naberrie a japor snippet that he had carved for her.

Skywalker indeed won the podrace and received his freedom. While still on Tatooine, Jinn alluded to Naberrie that he believed Skywalker won because his interest in her had given him a reason to succeed. The boy joined Jinn and Naberrie on their repaired starship on its journey to the planet Coruscant, where they intended to share news of the Invasion of Naboo to the Galactic Republic. En route, Naberrie found Skywalker sitting sadly alone, missing his mother. He presented her with a japor snippet he had carved so that she would remember him. Naberrie joked that she would not need to remember him, as she could never forget her future husband. She then comforted and embraced him as he expressed sadness for his separation from his mother. When they reached Coruscant, Skywalker found himself exchanging quick glances and smiles with Naberrie that made him blush. He also continued trying to find Naberrie while she dealt with political matters and attempted to resolve the invasion, although he could not identify her amongst her handmaidens as she was acting in her true role as Queen Amidala. Throughout the journey, Amidala told Skywalker stories from her own childhood.

Later, Skywalker learned that Jinn intended to present him to Jedi High Council as a candidate to be trained as a Jedi. He attempted to find Naberrie to tell her and to say goodbye, but was disappointed when he only found Queen Amidala in one of Naboo Senator Palpatine's apartments, in the building 500 Republica unaware that her and Padmé Naberrie were the same person. Amidala maintained the deception by claiming that Naberrie had been sent on an errand. Skywalker was excited and believed that Naberrie would be impressed, and so Amidala claimed she would pass on his news to Naberrie after observing his initial disappointment. Amidala wished that she could have given Skywalker a warmer farewell, but needed to maintain the illusion that her and Padmé were different people. She later recorded in her journal that she was surprised at how important the boy had become to her.

End of the invasion

"I guess knowing I'm a Queen makes you feel differently about me, doesn't it?"
"I guess, but that's okay. Just so you still like me. Because I still like you."
"Of course, Annie. Telling you who I really am doesn't mean my feelings for you have changed. I was the same person before, whether you knew the truth about me or not."

―Amidala and Skywalker, after the former revealed that she was really the Queen of Naboo

The Council objected to Skywalker's training, in spite of Jinn's determination. Amidala also resolved to return to liberate Naboo, and was joined by Binks, Jinn, his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Skywalker. As they waited for Binks to contact the Gungan Grand Army, Naberrie spoke to Skywalker for what he believed was the first time since Tatooine. She asked how he was and he described his disappointment at being rejected for Jedi training, in response she told him not to give up hope. In a successful attempt to gain the loyalty of the Gungans, Naberrie revealed herself as the true queen. Skywalker was shocked, and remembering his promise of marriage to Amidala, wondered how a former slave could possibly marry a queen. He hoped to discuss it with her, but would not have the chance until they marched towards Theed, Naboo's capital city.

Amidala approached Skywalker and apologized that she could not reveal her identity. She asked if he felt differently in that light, and Skywalker assured her that he still liked her and hoped she reciprocated. Amidala assured him that she was still the same person and that her feelings were unchanged. This led Skywalker to promise to himself that he would do what he could to protect her and Jinn during the battle. Amidala found herself concerned about Skywalker and believing that she could not forgive herself if anything bad happened to him. As the battle to retake Theed began inside Theed Hangar, Amidala lost sight of Skywalker and hoped he had listened to Jinn's instructions and found shelter.

The Freedom Day parade (pictured) marked the last time that Skywalker and Amidala would see each other for a decade.

Instead, Skywalker was busy fulfilling his personal promise, commandeering an N-1 starfighter to destroy several droidekas inside the hangar, before unintentionally flying into space and destroying the Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship Vuutun Palaa. That resulted in the deactivation of all the Trade Federation battle droids on Naboo and secured the planet's freedom. However, Jinn was killed during the battle, and Kenobi was tasked by the Council to fulfill his master's determination to train Skywalker as a Jedi. Amidala barely spoke to Skywalker after his acceptance, aside from a brief conversation prior to the Freedom Day parade held to mark the end of the invasion. Skywalker promised that he would see Amidala again, and she agreed, stating her belief that their fates were bound together. During the celebration, the two exchanged smiles with each other.

Intervening years (32 BBY–22 BBY)

"I've thought about her every day since we parted…"

―Anakin Skywalker to Jar Jar Binks after his awkward reunion with Amidala

Skywalker thought of Amidala daily during the subsequent decade. He found that he could still recall the scent of her hair, the passion in her eyes, and the sound of her voice. In 29 BBY, after performing a set of daily exercises during a mission to the planet Zonama Sekot, Skywalker experienced a period of mental clarity in which he imagined what his future held. He imagined marrying a woman like Amidala, with a powerful and dignified presence alongside a sadness that Skywalker could help alieviate, although marriage was not permitted for Jedi.

Forbidden love (22 BBY)

Assassination attempt on Amidala

Reunion

"Annie? My goodness you've grown."
"So have you… grown more beautiful I mean."

―Amidala and Skywalker's first conversation in a decade

(left to right) Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padmé Amidala reunite in the latter's apartment.

In 22 BBY, Amidala, now the senator for Naboo, returned to Coruscant to vote against the Military Creation Act. Skywalker heard news of her return through comm chatter, and arranged to jump out of hyperspace early while returning to the planet. Kenobi scolded his apprentice for doing so amidst Coruscant's congested approach lanes, but Skywalker quietly believed the chance to see Amidala again was worth the consequences, even if his actions only meant they arrived a few hours early. Amidala's cruiser was destroyed upon landing by a bomb planted by bounty hunter Zam Wesell, acting secretly on the orders of Count Dooku, head of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a separatist movement against the Republic. Amidala survived the assassination attempt, leading Palpatine, now the Republic's Supreme Chancellor, to suggest that she be placed under Jedi protection, specifically that of Amidala's old friends Kenobi and Skywalker.

Skywalker was nervous as he and his master headed for Amidala's apartment, with Kenobi sensing his Padawan's anxiety and urging him to relax as they rode the building's elevator. Skywalker reminded his master that he had not seen Amidala in ten years, to which Kenobi replied that she was not a queen anymore, and Skywalker muttered that he was not nervous for that reason. Upon entering the apartment, Skywalker found it difficult not to rush in to greet Amidala, and was delighted to find that she was as beautiful as he remembered. He then found it took all of his willpower to even approach Amidala. When the two Jedi greeted Amidala, she commented on how quickly he had grown, which Skywalker reciprocated by responding that she had grown more beautiful. She then stated that he would always be the child she met on Tatooine, hurting Skywalker's pride.

Jedi guardian

"Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo, she'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees."

―Mace Windu's orders to Anakin Skywalker

Zam Wesell's second assassination attempt (pictured) on Amidala prompted Skywalker to be assigned to protect her own his own.

As the Jedi discussed Amidala's security arrangements, the senator stated her belief that the priority was identifying her attackers. Skywalker agreed and promised to investigate, leading to a rebuff from Kenobi about the nature of their mission. After Amidala retired to her bedroom, Binks, now a Associate Planetary Representative, expressed his delight at seeing Skywalker again, which prompted him to show his disappointment at what he perceived as Amidala's lack of recognition for him. While brushing her heir, Amidala pondered Skywalker's compliment. She was used to drawing male gazes with her appearance, and wondered if Skywalker had been looking at her with a sense of longing. This led her to cover the security cameras in her bedroom in case Skywalker was watching, which he had been doing.

Later that evening, Skywalker used the chime to enter Amidala's room. Amidala was in her nightwear at the time, and before answering, she realized her attire was somewhat revealing and retrieved her nightrobe, aware that she would not normally make such considerations. The two discussed the nature of the Jedi's mission and the possibility of finding Amidala's would-be assassins. Later in the night, Skywalker continued to watch Amidala with his senses and wished he could kiss her, settling for feeling her sensations through the Force. Likewise, Amidala dreamt of Skywalker thwarting an assassination attempt on her in the Senate floor. Wesell made another assassination attempt using venemous Kouhuns, although Skywalker sensed the disturbance and killed the creatures. The Jedi tracked down Wesell, who was discreetly murdered by her associate Jango Fett before she could reveal who had hired her. The attempt prompted the Jedi Council to arrange for Amidala to return to Naboo under Skywalker's independent protection, his first solo assignment as a Jedi, while Kenobi investigated.

Alone on Naboo

Passage to Naboo

"Are you allowed to love? I thought it was forbidden for a Jedi."
"Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life, so you might say we're encouraged to love."

―Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker

Skywalker's mission to return Amidala to Naboo allowed both of them to spend quality time together.

Skywalker was present in Amidala's apartment as she packed her belongings. In the course of their conversation, Amidala commented on Skywalker's growing maturity, leading to an extended moment where they locked eyes, as though they could see each others hearts. Amidala told him not to grow up too quickly, and asked Skywalker to spare her the discomfort of looking at her that way. He apologized, knowing that he could not simply assume the role of Amidala's bodyguard against her wishes. To arrive safely on Naboo, Skywalker and Amidala were disguised as outland refugees, accompanied by R2-D2, who had remained in Amidala's service since the Invasion of Naboo. Kenobi was initially concerned about Skywalker's enthusiasm for the mission, but became preoccupied with identifying the senator's assassins.

As they travelled aboard an AA-9 Coruscant freighter, the Jendirian Valley, Amidala found herself admiring a sleeping Skywalker, whom she also found handsome, for the indications of rebellion against his Jedi training she had observed in their interactions. After waking Skywalker up for a meal, she asked him how difficult it must be for Jedi to live a life of restraint in their actions. Skywalker noted that amongst his prohibitions was the chance to be with the people he loved, to which Amidala asked if he was even allowed to love others, given the Jedi rules against marriage. The Padawan stated that he was encouraged to be compassionate and in a way, encouraged to love. The conversation led Amidala to realize that her and Skywalker were too close, and a romance between them would have significant implications for her political work. She reasoned that her opposition to the Military Creation Act would create friction if the vote passed, as the Jedi would be required to fight alongside the Republic military.

Meet the parents

"Did you know, Anakin, that you're the first boyfriend my sister's ever brought home?"
"He's not my boyfriend. Anakin's a friend, we've known each other for years. He's a Jedi assigned by the Senate to protect me."

―Sola Naberrie and Padmé Amidala during dinner at the Naberrie house

Amidala and Skywalker met with Queen Jamillia together on Naboo.

As they arrived in Theed, the two discussed Amidala's political career and time as queen. The senator was surprised at how open she became around Skywalker when she admitted that she longed to have a family of her own. The two met with Queen Jamillia and Governor Sio Bibble to discuss the Separtist Crisis and the arrangements for Amidala's safety. The senator suggested that she would stay in Naboo's Lake Country, which Skywalker protested on account of being head of security. Amidala was about to argue back when she realized that Bibble and Jamillia had exchanged suspicious looks, meaning that she could not engage in arguments with Skywalker publicly without drawing attention to the nature of their relationship. She calmly explained that her knowledge of her homeworld would be advantageous, to which Bibble agreed with amusement. At Jamillia's suggestion, Amidala also agreed that it would be a good idea to visit her family and ease their concerns for her safety.

As the two made their way to Amidala's childhood home, Skywalker found himself trying to steal looks at Amidala that he could burn into his memory. As she was wearing a simple blue dress, Skywalker mentally compared it to the ornate garbs she had worn as queen, and rationalized that although she looked beautiful in anything, he preferred the more simple appearances that allowed her to show more of her real self. Outside the Naberrie house, the travellers were first greeted by Amidala's nieces, Ryoo and Pooja Naberrie, followed by their mother Sola. Skywalker recognized that Amidala had been pained by the throught of the anxiety the news of the assassination attempts on her would have been causing her family, and that he loved that empathetic side of her. Next, they headed inside and Skywalker met Amidala's parents, Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie, just as the family was preparing to have dinner.

Sisterly advice

"What are you afraid of, Sis? Are you afraid of Anakin's feelings and the responsibilities that he cannot dismiss? Or are you afraid of your own feelings? I don't know how you feel, but I suspect that it's something new to you. Something scary, but something wonderful."

―Sola Naberrie, to Padmé Amidala

Skywalker and Amidala had dinner with the latter's family.

During the meal, Sola playfully asked Skywalker if he was aware that he was the first boy Amidala had ever brought home. Amidala was quick to rebuff the claim that Skywalker was anything other than her bodyguard assigned by the Senate, which caused Jobal to panic in realizing the seriousness of the attempts on her daughter's life. Skywalker noticed throughout the dinner that Sola was constantly staring at him, seemingly trying to scrutinize him while also smiling as if she knew a secret. Later, Skywalker walked through the house's gardens with Ruwee, and he felt glad to recognize a level of respect in Ruwee's eyes, as his relationship with Amidala would have been impacted if either of her parents had visibly disliked him.

Concurrently, Amidala, Jobal, and Sola cleaned up after dinner, and the latter began asking her sister why she had not mentioned Skywalker before. Amidala tried to shut down the conversation by claiming the Padawan was "just a boy," but Sola tried to address Skywalker's palpable feelings for the Senator and questioned if Amidala had noticed the way he looked at her. Amidala denied any romantic notions, stating that their relationship was purely professional. Sola responded by wondering aloud if Amidala was afraid to acknowledge the way Skywalker looked at her, exasperating Amidala to the point that she asked her mother to intervene. Later, Amidala asked her sister why she had repeatedly made comments about Skywalker, and Sola responded that his feelings were too obvious to ignore. Sola commented that Jedi were not supposed to consider romantic attachments, but that Skywalker clearly did, and that Amidala was thinking too much like a Jedi, letting her life be dominated by duties without considering a personal life.

Skywalker and Amidala in the latter's room on Naboo

Sola continued trying to get her sister to contemplate having a relationship alongside her senatorial role, noting the contrasting attitudes she perceived between the young pair; Amidala acted as though she was prohibited from attachments, and Skywalker acted as though he was uninhibited. Amidala chastised her sister for making such a leap in logic, as her and Skywalker had only been together for a handful of days after a decade-long separation. Sola stated that she had no knowledge of how Amidala herself felt, but that she could tell how Skywalker felt and that Amidala could see it too. As the sisters hugged, Sola asked what Amidala was afraid of, speculating that she was truly unsure how to handle her novel situation. Later that day, the two packed their belongings as they prepared to depart to the Varykino estate. They discussed two different holographs that displayed Amidala's past work. One showed her time working with the Refugee Relief Movement, happily embracing N'a-kee-tula, a Shadda-Bi-Boran child who would later perish along with the rest of his species. Another holograph showed Amidala several years later, dressed in formal robes on her first day as an Apprentice Legislator. Skywalker found himself gazing at the holographs, contemplating how they showed two distinct sides of the woman he loved.

Lakeside

"I don't like sand. It's course and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere. Not like here. Here, everything's soft and smooth."

―Anakin Skywalker, just before his first kiss with Padmé Amidala

Skywalker and Amidala kissed for the first time on Naboo.

Skywalker and Amidala travelled to Varykino via a speedboat helmed by Paddy Accu, an experienced sailor who gave the two an enjoyable ride as he had done in Amidala's youth. The natural beauty of the lake country seemed to generate romantic feelings in both Skywalker and Amidala. The two walked up the stairs onto a balcony looking out the lake, and Amidala reminisced about her youth in which she and her friends would swim to an island during their school retreat, along with lying on the sand. Skywalker responded about his own hatred of sand for its texture and tendency to permeate, at which point he began stroking Amidala's arm, almost without realizing it. He contrasted sand with his own impression of Naboo, calling it soft and smooth. Skywalker nearly pulled himself back, although aware that Amidala seemed nervous, she had not pulled away from his touch. After Amidala talked about a talented glass artisan who lived on the island, Skywalker leant in for a long kiss. Amidala engaged initially, and Skywalker felt that he could be lost forever in that moment until Amidala pulled herself away and stated that she should not have returned Skywalker's affection. Skywalker apologized and the two moved on, silently looking out at the water.

Later, the two sat down in a meadow surrounded by waterfalls. Amidala enjoyed watching Skywalker's reaction to the pleasant surroundings on Naboo, stealing quick glances at him while hoping he would not notice her.

The wedding

"Anakin, Padmé was my Queen; I was her ambassador to the Senate. Naboo is my home. You of all people know how I value loyalty and friendship; do you think I have no friends among the civil clergy in Theed? Your secret ceremony has never been a secret. Not from me, at any rate. I have always been very happy for you both."

―Palpatine, to Anakin Skywalker

Skywalker and Amidala on Naboo

Skywalker and Amidala escaped from Geonosis with their lives, after being rescued by a Jedi strike team and the Grand Army of the Republic. The rescue led to the Battle of Geonosis, sparking the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Separatist Alliance. After the battle, Skywalker returned with Amidala to Naboo under the pretense that he was escorting her back home, as the Jedi High Council was unaware that the Padawan had fallen in love with the senator. In reality, the two star-crossed lovers were married at Varykino, a lake retreat in Lake Country on Naboo. The union was witnessed by the droids C-3PO and R2-D2. The marriage remained a secret, as Skywalker could have been expelled from the Jedi Order if the union was discovered by the Jedi Council.

Behind the scenes

The secret marriage of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala appeared in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones; the novel depicted it slightly before the film's release in 2002. However, that Anakin Skywalker would be married in the second installment of the prequel trilogy was announced in 1998. The original trilogy was re-released in theaters and VHS to commemorate the twenty year anniversary of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope the year before and Star Wars Trivial Pursuit was released to coincide with this. The limited edition game contained a sequestered pack of questions that served as a preview of the first new trilogy installment, one of which divulged this.

Appearances

• Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novelization (and unabridged audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
• Episode I: Queen Amidala (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones novelization (and unabridged audiobook) (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones junior novelization (and audiobook)
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Movie Storybook
• Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones 4
• Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns (Mentioned only)
• Republic 50 (In flashback(s))
• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization (and unabridged audiobook) (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith junior novelization (Mentioned only)
• "Memory Loss" — Star Wars Comic 7.13 (In flashback(s))
• Dark Times 5 (In flashback(s))
• "The Last One Standing" — Legacy of the Jedi/Secrets of the Jedi omnibus (Mentioned only)
• The Last of the Jedi: Reckoning (Mentioned only)

Non-canon appearances

• "Nobody's Perfect" — Star Wars Tales 20 (Mentioned only)

Sources

• The Official Star Wars Fact File 119 SEC 1-2: Secret Union
• The Official Star Wars Fact File 122 RIT 1-4: Galactic Rituals
• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary
• Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (First mentioned)
• The New Essential Chronology
• Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
• Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
• Agolerga, Pontifex Maxiron in the Databank (original site is defunct)
• Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Padmé Amidala (Naboo) (★★★))
• Star Wars: Sith Wars

Notes and references

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