Réillata

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"I was relieved when my two terms were up. But when the Queen asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her."

―Padmé Amidala^[3]

Réillata was a human female from Naboo.^[1] Born around 51 BBY,^[2] she twice served as the monarch of her people, the Naboo. The first time was a two-year term^[1] in around 36 BBY,^[5] when Padmé Amidala—a future queen of Naboo herself—was still a young girl. Upon stepping down, she became a moderately successful opera singer. Her second term started^[1] in 28 BBY,^[5] after Amidala's four-year reign ended. Réillata ran again for the election, campaigning on the experience and stability her years afforded her. Although she was an older candidate than tradition dictated, she was elected queen once again, beating Jamillia.^[1]

Biography

Réillata was born around 51 BBY.^[2] When future handmaiden Eirtaé was just a girl, Réillata was elected Queen of the planet Naboo. Although her tenure was uncontroversial in the two years the Queen served, Réillata decided to not run again. She was discouraged, feeling that not enough had been accomplished and that she was simply not suited for politics. Instead, she decided to resume her original passion of performing opera. Réillata went on to be a moderately successful opera singer.^[1]

Years later, in the middle of a performance, Réillata realized how ridiculous her logic was. She could sing arias in front of hundreds, was a good listener and orator, and felt she could connect with many people through her confidence and charisma. Réillata spoke with her family on the idea of resuming her political career, and after Queen Padmé Amidala finished serving the second of her two terms, Réillata campaigned again to be elected Queen despite tradition dictating that only younger women should run for the office. She was elected again, beating Jamillia.^[1]

During the ceremony in which political power was formally passed from Amidala to Réillata, the new Queen revealed that Senator Oshadam was retiring from the Galactic Senate, having served after Naboo's previous senator, Sheev Palpatine, had been elected Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. She asked Amidala, a seasoned politician, to accept Royal appointment as the new senator for the Chommell sector, which Amidala eventually agreed to.^[1]

Like her predecessor, Réillata was served by several handmaidens, including her young niece. When Amidala briefly returned to Naboo after a week-long stay on the planet Alderaan, Réillata welcomed her and her entourage back in the palace throne room. In a private conversation between the two, Réillata encouraged Amidala to return to the Senate and explained her decision to run for queen again.^[1]

Decades later, Réillata was mentioned in the Galactic Explorer's Guide, a survival guide written by Hondo Ohnaka and DK-RA-43.^[6]

Personality and traits

"At least she waited until this election. It would have been an unnecessary mess if she'd run against you directly."
"I know. And maybe a balance of younger and older rulers ought to be considered. Any path can be a poor one if it goes blindly in one direction."

―Sabé and Padmé Amidala shortly after learning of Réillata's re-election^[1]

A queen nearing twenty three years old was young for most places in the galaxy, but on Naboo, Réillata was older than tradition dictated and had campaigned on experience and stability that her years had afforded her. Like her competitor Jamillia, Réillata agreed with Amidala in matters of planetary defense, specifically with projects like the ion pulse that had not been completed in Amidala's tenure. Réillata was also understanding of the time Amidala needed with her family after she returned from Coruscant.^[1]

As the handmaiden Saché watched Réillata's second coronation, she noted that she wore the red dress of Naboo sovereignty but thought, somewhat treasonously, that she lacked Amidala's inherit kindness. Saché was forced to muster up some grudging respect for Réillata as she managed to make her poise and steady pace look deliberate.^[1]

Réillata was taller than Amidala and had short hair.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Réillata first appeared within the new Star Wars canon in the 2019 novel Queen's Shadow by E. K. Johnston, where she is established to have reigned after Padmé Amidala and before Jamillia.^[1] In Star Wars Legends, Jamillia started her reign immediately once Amidala ended hers.^[7]