Everything you need to prepare for The Last Jedi

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray (novel)

Era: Three years before the events of A New Hope. 37 years before The Force Awakens. 

To me, she’s royalty. The words of the late Lor San Tekka — may he Rest in Peace within the Force. Princess of Alderaan, and also royalty running within her veins from Padme Amidala of Naboo, Leia is the epitome of nobility.

By the time we meet up with her again in The Force Awakens, she refuses to go by the title of “Princess” anymore, but she will always be royalty, no matter what designation she uses.

It’s vital to know of her lineage for The Last Jedi because it’s important to remember what Leia sacrificed over the years. General Leia Organa sacrificed it all for the Rebellion, in the era of the Empire’s reign, and now with the sinister First Order, rising to take its place.

Photo Credit: The Last Jedi

The novel Leia, Princess Alderaan, dives deep into her “mercy missions” as Darth Vader calls them, displaying those very risks.

The coolest Easter egg was when Leia meets Panaka, the former Royal security guard in charge of protecting her mother, Padme, in The Phantom Menace. Leia asks the acting Queen of Naboo for assistance, where they then journey to meet the Moff Panaka, who is the only one who can help Leia.

When the (now) Moff lays on Leia, who happens to be wearing her mother’s old attire coincidentally, he puts together the pieces of Leia’s resemblance to Padme, discovering her true identity.

"Panaka’s gaze finally turned to Leia. He stopped short, eyes wide with shock. Although he managed to hold on to his cup, some of his tea splashed onto the floor. ‘Moff Panaka, are you well?’"

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

"Of course. Forgive me. Your guest—reminded me of someone else. Recovering his dignity, Panaka straightened and walked toward Leia, seemingly at ease again. Yet she could see the intense curiosity in his eyes."

Moff Panaka, a still kind and fair man, but loyal to Emperor Palpatine, was planning on sharing this discovery to his “boss,” however, Saw Gerrera’s Partisans assassinate Panaka, with the Force mysteriously protecting Leia.

This epic moment was my favorite, totally shocked when Panaka realized who Leia truly was. Who knew that The Phantom Menace, Rogue One, and this novel share such a symbiotic bond.