Many Star Wars fans may be surprised to learn that Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala were secretly married during the Clone Wars. Their forbidden relationship was hidden from the Jedi Council and most of the galaxy. But looking back, there were clues about their romance in the prequel films. In this article, we’ll explore when and how Anakin and Padme fell in love, their secret marriage, and how their relationship shaped galactic history.
When did Anakin and Padme first meet?
Anakin Skywalker first met Padme Amidala as a young boy on the desert planet Tatooine. Anakin was 9 years old and working as a slave in a junk shop. Padme was 14 years old and serving as the Queen of Naboo under the name Queen Amidala. She was on a diplomatic mission when her starship was damaged and had to land on Tatooine for repairs.
Anakin met Padme by chance while she was seeking parts to fix her ship. He was instantly smitten with her beauty and kindness. Though they came from vastly different worlds, Anakin and Padme became fast friends during her brief stay on Tatooine.
The Battle of Naboo
They crossed paths again a decade later just before the Battle of Naboo. Anakin, now 19, was a gifted pilot and had been freed from slavery to be trained as a Jedi. Padme, 24, was serving as Naboo’s senator. The Trade Federation had invaded Naboo, so Anakin and his master Qui-Gon Jinn were sent as ambassadors to negotiate a settlement.
When negotiations failed, Padme fled Naboo with the two Jedi. They ultimately returned to free Naboo from the Trade Federation’s occupation. During this time, Anakin and Padme reconnected. The seeds of romance were planted as they fought side-by-side in the Battle of Naboo.
When did Anakin and Padme fall in love?
After the Battle of Naboo, Anakin became a Jedi padawan learner under Obi-Wan Kenobi. Padme continued her duties as a senator. They would not meet again for another decade.
The two were happily reunited when Padme, now a senator, was again threatened by political turmoil. She narrowly survived an assassination attempt shortly after the Clone Wars began. The Jedi Council assigned Anakin, now a mature Jedi apprentice, to protect Senator Amidala as her personal bodyguard.
Spending time together
While hiding out together, Anakin and Padme had the chance to reconnect and fall in love. They went from bickering to ultimately expressing their affection for one another. Their responsibilities had long kept them apart, but being in such close proximity allowed them to open up to each other.
During a romantic picnic in the countryside and candlelit dinner back on Coruscant, Anakin confessed his deepening attachment to Padme. Despite rules forbidding Jedi from forming attachments, he pledged his unconditional love to her. Padme was concerned about damaging his Jedi career but admitted she returned his feelings.
When did Anakin and Padme get married?
Shortly after professing their love, Anakin and Padme made the decision to get married in secret. They knew the Jedi Council would not approve of the relationship between a Jedi and senator. Padme also feared a public marriage scandal could ruin her political career.
So they chose to have a small, private wedding just after the Battle of Geonosis. Only C-3PO and R2-D2 witnessed their wedding, which was officiated on Naboo by a holy man. Anakin gave Padme a japor snippet he had carved for her when they first met as children.
Keeping their marriage a secret
After their wedding, Anakin and Padme had to keep their relationship completely hidden. On the surface they continued to behave as professional colleagues. Anakin even sometimes called her “Senator” in public.
But behind closed doors, they lived as husband and wife whenever they could. For a few years they enjoyed romantic getaways in secret at her family lake house on Naboo. Their droid companions helped cover their tracks.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 32 BBY | Anakin and Padme first meet on Tatooine |
| 22 BBY | Reunion before Battle of Geonosis |
| 22 BBY | Secret wedding on Naboo |
| 21 BBY – 19 BBY | Continue forbidden marriage in secrecy |
How did their relationship impact the galaxy?
Anakin and Padme’s secret marriage had profound impacts on the galaxy’s history. As Anakin’s Jedi powers grew, so did his nightmares about losing Padme. This fear of losing his secret wife ultimately was a catalyst in Anakin turning to the dark side.
Palpatine manipulates Anakin’s love
Chancellor Palpatine, a secret Sith lord, manipulated Anakin’s love for Padme to seduce him to the dark side. He promised the power to cheat death and save Padme, appealing to Anakin’s attachment. This led to Anakin becoming the fearsome Sith Lord Darth Vader.
If the Jedi Council had allowed marriages, perhaps Anakin would not have hidden his relationship. Then the Jedi may have detected Anakin’s emotional troubles sooner and prevented his fall. But their doctrines drove his marriage underground, stoking his later descent into evil.
Birth of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa
Before turning into Darth Vader, Anakin secretly fathered twins with Padme – Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Padme died giving birth to them shortly after Anakin’s turn to the dark side. The twins were then hidden from their father to be protected from the Empire.
Luke and Leia, as children of both a Jedi and politician, later played pivotal roles in the Rebellion against the Empire. Their heritage allowed them to help redeem their father in the end. So the forbidden marriage ultimately gave birth to powerful leaders who helped defeat the Sith.
Conclusion
Anakin and Padme’s secret marriage during the Clone Wars set in motion events that would decide the galaxy’s fate. Their love was forbidden by the Jedi Order to its own detriment. Anakin kept his attachment to Padme hidden due to fear of expulsion from the Jedi.
This secrecy fed his later anxieties and made him vulnerable to manipulation. But despite the tragedy it caused, their union also produced hope that would defeat the Sith. The Skywalker twins would not have been possible without Anakin and Padme’s love.
Though their marriage was cut tragically short, their legacy lived on. Perhaps if allowed to love openly, Anakin would not have fallen. But even amidst the deception, bonds of love persevered to ultimately triumph over evil.