How old was Padmé in Episode 2

Anakin and Padmé have one of the most important romances in the entire Star Wars saga. But how old are they?

Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala have one of the most influential romances in the entire Star Wars saga. But long before the two started dating, the prequel trilogy established a sizable age gap between the two characters. This diminishes over time as Anakin and Padmé enter adulthood, but it’s impossible to forget a young Anakin’s first moments with teenage Padmé during the original prequel film, The Phantom Menace.

So, just how big is the age difference between Anakin and Padmé?

How old are Anakin and Padmé?

In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Anakin is a nine-year-old slave on Tatooine, while Padmé is the 14-year-old Queen of Naboo. This means there’s a five-year gap between Anakin and Padmé. While small, the difference is exacerbated by the actors’ age. Anakin’s actor Jake Lloyd was eight years old when filming began in 1997, while Natalie Portman was already 16. When the film was released in May 1999, each actor was 10 and 17, respectively

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones takes place 10 years after, and Anakin is 19 while Padmé is 24. Because of this progression, Hayden Christensen was recast to play Skywalker for Attack of the Clones. The same age as Portman, both actors were 19 when production started in 2000, which is why Anakin and Padmé appear close in age during the subsequent prequel films. Attack of the Clones was released in May of 2002 when Christensen was 21 and Portman 20.

2005’s Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is set only three years in the future. Anakin is 22 when he overthrows the Jedi Order and becomes Darth Vader, while Padmé is just 27 when she dies. When Revenge of the Sith finally released in 2005, Portman was 23 while Christensen was 24.

In the movie Star Wars: Episode I Anakin Skywalker is a child and Padmé is a young lady. Their relationship is that of a child and a lady.

But in Episode II Anakin has aged into a young guy even though Padmé appear to be almost the same age and they are having a lover's relationship.

What is the logic behind this? Doesn't Padmé age? Is there any in-universe explanation?

asked Dec 23, 2015 at 10:59

1

In 'The Phantom Menace' (set in 32 BBY) Anakin is aged 9 and Padmé is 14. He turns ten during the film.

By the time of their (sexual) relationship in Attack of the Clones, (set ten years later, set in 22 BBY) he was 19 and she was 24.

The name resonated in young Anakin’s heart and soul. He hadn’t seen her in a decade, not since he, along with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, had helped her in her struggle against the Trade Federation on Naboo. He had only been ten years old at that time, but from the moment he had first laid eyes on Padmé, young Anakin had known that she was the woman he would marry.

Never mind that Padmé was several years older than he was. Never mind that he was just a boy when he had known her, when she had known him. Never mind that Jedi were not allowed to marry. - Attack of the Clones: Official Novelisation

As to why she doesn't appear to age (much), I think we can put that down to an excellent moisturisation regime.

answered Dec 23, 2015 at 11:11

1

Padmé ages from 14 years old in Phantom Menace to 24 years old in Attack of the Clones.

Assuming the humans of Naboo follow the same growth as Earth humans, the females usually reach adult height between ages 14-16, according to the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set1clinical/cj41c022.pdf

From this, we can assume not much physical changes happened in Padmé's body during these 10 years.

Also it is widely known that Naboo's royal makeup artists are very good. All of the handmaidens are trained in makeup techniques.

So, for a young queen, the makeup could be made to make her look more mature.

And agreeing with Richard, since it is a planet with extensive water features, the moisturization.

answered Dec 23, 2015 at 13:00

MindwinMindwin

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Actually Anakin was 9 but turned 10 by the end of the film The Phantom Menace and Padme was 14. So if Attack of the Clones is 10 years later that would put Anakin at 20 years old and his birthday would've had to be days before they were assigned to protect Padme from the assassination attempts. So therefore she is 24 or 25 in Attack of the Clones at the time and Revenge of the Sith is 3 years later, putting Anakin at 23 years and Padme at 27 or 28.

answered Aug 26, 2016 at 22:43

GhostGhost

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Padme was queen at a very young age the make up made her look mature and older. In The Phantom Menace she was 14 and Anakin was 9. In Attack of the Clones he is 19 and she is 24. In the last two episodes they don't look like they are years apart. Natalie was 16 and Jake was 8.

answered Apr 8, 2016 at 3:40

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