‘The Memes Strike Back’: Star Wars memes for Rebels, Imperials and Force Users to Laugh at Across the Galaxy (August 18, 2026)

Giuliana Tiscioni • Writer

Aug 18, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

Give it up for all the women in Star Wars, please!

For all of us Star Wars girlies, it was amazing to see Queen Amidala on screen in the prequels. At first, she was this enigmatic character with really weird costumes, whose face you couldn't see very well, and who everybody seemed to respect. The full face of makeup made it hard to see who was actually there and what she wanted. It was a fantastic way to throw us all off.

The costume department did wonders for Natalie Portman in those movies, but it doesn't stop there. Her outfits are not just extravagant or pretty; they serve a very specific purpose: to protect the queen. The first time we saw them, we were really confused; like, we knew it was a movie, but why the over-the-top combination? Well, it turns out the fact that we couldn't really see her face was intentional all along. For the audience, it was meant to be a surprise that the same simple girl who goes with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to Tatooine is actually the ruler of an entire planet. For the characters, it's a ruse to keep the queen safe from her enemies. She could plant a decoy, and no one could tell. She could wear no makeup and a simple outfit to pose as a maid, infiltrate spheres that otherwise weren't accessible to her, and thus uncover secrets and useful information. An excellent charade.

The colorful and eye-catching outfits are not merely a decoration; they are a narrative device to explain how well Padme can play the political game. She knows she has enemies; she knows she has to protect herself; she knows she will be attacked; and she also knows that people behave differently in front of a queen than they do in front of servants. She needed to hear both sides of the person talking to her.

Her daughter seemed to inherit her mother's art for politics, since Leia was also skilled at manipulating things and people. Even if the sequels were not great, seeing her become the leader of the rebellion her mother founded was a full-circle moment.

This meme list is dedicated to our beloved Queen Amidala. She doesn't get enough appreciation.