This brand-newStar Warsbook just introduced a massiveStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithretcon, and it’s raised some major questions aboutPadmé Amidala’sdeath and burial. It didn’t exactly come as a surprise that Padmé died inRevenge of the Sith,althoughhow Padmé diedwas disappointing. The original trilogy had confirmed that Luke and Leia’s biological mother was dead, and they hadn’t known her (or, barely remembered her, in Leia’s case).
Yet, Padmé’s death remains one of the saddest tragedies inStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Over time, this has only become clearer, withStar Wars: Tales of the Jedidepicting her funeral in much greater detail and several comic books exploring how crushing this loss was for those who knew her—including Darth Vader. Those additions totheStar Warstimelinehave remained fairly consistent, but now,one brand-newStar Warsbook has thrown a major wrench in Padmé’s burial story, and it makes no sense.
Star Wars Previously Confirmed Padmé Was Buried
Darth Vader Visited Padmé’s Tomb In The Comics
In the canon MarvelStar Warscomic bookStar Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #1,Darth Vader visits Padmé Amidala’s tomb on Naboo and even tries to open ituntil her close friend and former handmaiden, Sabé, intervenes. This actually ends up being a gutting story arc, as Vader begins using the Force to open the tomb before experiencing a flashback to Padmé smiling and then to him Force choking her on Mustafar. This stops him in his tracks, and he must ask a droid to look in and scan her instead.
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It may be difficult to empathize with Vader at this moment, particularly because he played a major role in her death, but this is a sad reminder of how much Anakin really did love Padmé before he became so corrupted. Importantly,this story arc also confirms that Padmé was indeed buried on Naboo, as the droid is able to identify a traceable med implant on her corpse. Now, a brand-new canonStar Warsbook has thrown this entirely into question.
Naboo Explained: Why Padmé Amidala & Palpatine’s Homeworld Is So Important
Naboo may be known for being one of Star Wars' most beautiful planets, but its importance in the franchise extends far beyond its beauty.
This Burial Has Been Completely Retconned In A New Star Wars Book
The Funeral Customs Of Naboo Apparently Required Cremation—Not Burial
A newStar Warsbook,Star Wars Complete Locations New Edition, written by Jason Fry, Emily Shkoukani, Kristin Lund, Simon Beecroft, Kerrie Dougherty, and James Luceno, hasraised major questions about how this tomb for Padmé could exist at all. InStar Wars Complete Locations, the Naboo funeral traditions are explained in detail:
“The Theed Funeral Temple is located in a tranquil spot on the edge of the city. Its open-air design and numerous windows frame a magnificently carved stone platform. Nearby stands the Livet Tower containing an eternal flame, whose never-ending light reminds the Naboo of their own mortality and their duty to lead harmonious lives. Naboo funeral custom dictates that the body of the deceased be cremated within two days of death. In this way, it is believed, the life force of the dead is returned to the planet. Once the ashes are collected, they are carried onto the bridge between the temple and the Livet Tower and cast into the Solleu River before it plunges over the cliff.”
If those are the Naboo funeral customs, and Padmé was shown having a full-fledged Naboo funeral inRevenge of the Sith, thenhow could her body have been laid to rest in a tomb?
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It’s possible Padmé was laid to rest in a way contrary to Naboo tradition, but that would be odd—particularly for Padmé. She was a beloved queen and senator, and she was dedicated to her planet and her people. It makes no sense that she would have wishes for her burial so opposite to the customs, and it isn’t clear why she would have wanted anything different. This description of Naboo funerals inStar Wars Complete Locationswas seemingly an unintentionalPadmé AmidalaandStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithretcon.
