We already know that Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker grew up without knowing their mother Padmé Amidala. After all, the former Queen of Naboo passed away soon after their birth in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. However, Leia herself had mentioned that she remembered their mother in Return of the Jedi. Interestingly, this may have been explained by a new Star Wars publication.
In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Padme had several handmaidens who were sworn to protect the Queen at any cost, to the point of being her decoy at times. One of these handmaidens was Sabé, who repeatedly impersonated the ruler throughout the film. However, Sabe, who was portrayed by Keira Knightley in Phantom Menace, didn't stop doing so even after Padme's resignation.
In the latest Star Wars novel Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston, Padme once again calls on Sabe to help her on a mission. Sabe soon finds that the Republic could turn into an Empire and is unwilling to just watch in the sidelines. After Padme's death, she joins Senator Bail Organa in the effort to start a Rebellion.
Bail Organa hardly needs an introduction. After all, the senator adopted Leia and raised her as his own. Interestingly, Sabe's connection to Bail might reveal why Leia thinks she remembers her mother. According to ScreenRant, it's possible that the young princess believed Sabe to be her own mother who tutored her as a child.
It's certainly an interesting idea considering how effective Sabe was at impersonating Padme. Nevertheless, we would still recommend taking this with a grain of salt.
The synopsis for Queen's Shadow reads as follows:
Queen's Shadow is currently available through Disney-Lucasfilm press on hardcover and eBook.
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