Queen Apailana (32–12 BBY), in the fictional Star Wars universe, is the successor to Queen Jamillia. Apailana appears briefly in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as she attends the funeral of the former Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala.
Befor serving as Queen, Apailana was the Princess of Theed. When Queen Jamillia stepped down from the throne, Padmé Amidala, Senator of Naboo, convinced her to run for Queen herself.
Apailana had only served as Queen of Naboo for one year when Senator Padmé Amidala, a beloved former queen of Naboo, was killed. She followed Naboo custom and respected Amidala's privacy by not investigating the senator's death and pregnancy, but Queen Apailana did not believe the official cause of death Emperor Palpatine issued for Padmé. The Jedi had long been supportive of Naboo and allies with Amidala. The notion that they had killed Padmé did not sit well with the queen.
Apailana eventually proved to be one of the first major casualties of the Rebellion against the Empire. Resentful of the Empire and the death of democracy, Apailana quietly rebelled against the Emperor. To all outward appearances, Apailana obeyed Imperial Laws but documents and offices labelled "Republic" were not modified to "Imperial" during her reign. Her cabinet, while cordial, did not cooperate with Imperial dignitaries. As she did not believe the Jedi killed Padmé Amidala, Apailana also secretely harboured several of the outlawed Jedi Knights who had survived Order 66 on Naboo.
Word reached the Empire of the hidden Jedi and in 12 BBY Darth Vader deployed the 501st Legion to Naboo to kill all the hidden on the planet and Queen Apailana as well. However, Apailana was well prepared and her Security was able to put up a substantial fight against the troop. The Queen and the Jedi were rescued although many Jedi died in the battle. The remaining few made a plan to get Apailana out of Theed. Apailana, along with her handmaidens and a handful of guards, made her way to the Queen's Royal Transport. Unfortunately, as she passed through a hallway in the Palace, Imperial commandos ambushed her convoy. The Queen and her companions were executed.
As with Padmé Amidala, a false cause for Apailana's death was issued. However, word soon got out as to the true cause of Apailana's death and a few Naboo joined the fledgling Rebel Alliance. In addition, the Gungans were completely convinced that they should continue their ongoing war with the Empire.
Queen Apailana is played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, a young Oscar nominated actress from New Zealand. Castle-Hughes was thirteen years old when she portrayed Apailana.
External links
- Queen Apailana in the StarWars.com Databank
- Article at Wookieepedia