Did the Last Queen of Mongolia Inspire a Major Star Wars Character?
Was Queen Padmé Amidala based on Genepil?
Real people serve as inspiration for movie characters. The Star Wars franchise is no exception.
A prevalent social media rumor is that Padmé, the queen of Naboo in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, was inspired by Mongolia’s last queen, Genepil.
Padmé, played by Natalie Portman, wore an eye-catching scarlet outfit with wide sleeves and a dazzling headpiece resembling the horns of a cow in one scene.
The outfit is popular among cosplayers.
The costume designers have admitted that they looked into traditional Tibetan and Mongolian clothing for inspiration, giving the aesthetic an Inner Asian feel.
But why do people claim Padmé’s character and attire were based on Genepil?
Is there any truth to the claim?
Let’s find out who was Genepil and how she might have influenced the character of Padmé.
The last Khan of the Mongols
