Alderaanian monarchy

For a thousand years preceding the era of the Galactic Empire, a monarchy had existed on Alderaan. The traditions surrounding the monarchy's succession were also established at the time of its establishment, encompassing rituals like the heir's Day of Demand and the associated three trials. In the past, Alderaan had known conflict, and princes and princesses vying for the crown sometimes had to fight their way to the throne room on their Day of Demand. However, over time, a culture of pacifism, centered on creativity, love, and life, took root on the planet, with the monarch becoming its protector. The Alderaanian monarchs demonstrated unwavering loyalty and compassion towards their people, regardless of social standing, and in turn, were rewarded with the Alderaanians' devotion and affection.

When Breha Organa reached the age of sixteen, she suffered a fall from Appenza Peak while undertaking her Challenge of the Body. Her injuries were so severe that she nearly died, only surviving due to the swift response of the guards stationed nearby. Consequently, Breha required pulmonodes to replace her lungs and heart, although she opted against undergoing bacta treatments to regenerate flesh and skin around them later, explaining to her daughter that it served as a reminder of her resilience. This incident also influenced her and her spouse's decision to adopt, rather than risk further strain on Breha's body through biological childbirth.

Before the conclusion of the Clone Wars, Breha assumed the role of queen, succeeding her mother. Throughout her reign, and thanks to the efforts of her husband and consort Bail Organa in the Senate, Alderaan championed the termination of the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, reflecting the planet's pacifist values. Alderaan also hosted a conference to aid refugees displaced by the galactic conflict. Numerous refugees from across the Republic sought refuge on Alderaan to rebuild their lives or settle permanently. During the Clone Wars, Breha and her husband provided assistance to planets ravaged by the Separatists, offering credits, supplies, doctors, teachers, architects, builders, medics, and droids. Breha also deployed her people to perilous locations where they were needed, and while some never returned to their families, they held no resentment towards her, recognizing her sacrifices and willingness to make them again if necessary.

Breha also witnessed the downfall of the democratic Galactic Republic and its replacement with the authoritarian Galactic Empire. Alongside her consort and viceroy Bail Prestor Organa, she played a crucial role in the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. She remained queen until her death in 0 BBY, which coincided with the destruction of Alderaan by the Death Star, a mobile battle station the size of a Class IV moon. However, Crown Princess Leia Organa, who was on a covert mission to Tatooine, survived the destruction of her homeworld. Viscount Rabael Dir Glorio, the 26th in line to the throne and the last surviving member of House Glorio, also survived the cataclysm.

Even after Alderaan's destruction, some surviving Alderaanians, such as Evaan Verlaine, a former student of Breha Organa, regarded Princess Leia Organa as their new queen.

Following the Battle of Endor, the Alderaanian survivors united aboard a seven-starship flotilla and planned to construct a new home using the remnants of the second Death Star. However, they had yet to appoint a monarch and were governed by Regent Administrator Eglyn Valmor.

On Chandrila in 5 ABY, Leia Organa, the former princess of Alderaan, gave birth to her son, Ben Solo. Had Alderaan and the House of Organa still existed at the time of his birth, Ben, as Leia's son, would have been granted the title of prince of Alderaan. However, upon his birth, he was recognized as a member of the Elder Houses.

By the era of the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance, Leia Organa was still considered the last princess of Alderaan. However, this status held little practical authority, as hereditary nobility was largely disregarded, and Organa only wore royal symbols when dictated by tradition.

The monarch of Alderaan (referred to as "the King" if male, and "the Queen" if female) both reigned and governed the planet, supported by ministers and advisors. They also managed the royal records, overseeing the numerous accounts and personally managing the funding of all public works on Alderaan. In certain instances, the monarch even held a ministerial portfolio. While the monarch strived for harmony on Alderaan, the planet's interactions with the broader galaxy were entrusted to their consort (known as viceroy if male).

The eldest child was typically designated as the successor to an Alderaanian monarch. As with all Elder Houses, the Alderaanian monarchy didn't strictly adhere to bloodline inheritance for succession, meaning that adopted children, such as Leia Organa, could inherit the throne.

A new member of the royal family would make their initial public appearance on their Name Day, during which the child's birth or adoption was formally announced in the palace throne room. The Name Day ceremony usually took place on the day of the child's birth but in the case of adoption it usually took place a few days after at which point they would officially be considered a prince or princess and member of the royal family.

The heir apparent, whose succession seemed assured, wasn't officially designated as Crown Prince or Crown Princess until the age of sixteen, or, in the case of adopted members, on the sixteenth anniversary of their original Name Day. At that point, they had to undergo a series of rituals to demonstrate their worth.

The first step was the Day of Demand, which occurred sixteen years after the heir's original Name Day. On this day, the heir apparent would carry the Rhindon Sword through the palace throne room, recite the ritual dialogue, publicly assert their claim to the crown, and announce three self-imposed challenges: the Challenge of the Body, that of the Mind, and that of the Heart. When the heir apparent was adopted "it is known" was added to the ritual dialogue. The Challenge of the Body traditionally involved the heir climbing the famous Alderaanian mountain Appenza Peak, with the option of bringing a companion. Upon successfully completing these challenges, they were invested with the Heir's Crown during a coronation ceremony. Many heirs relinquished their keepsake chests at the time of investiture, but the ritual did not mandate it.

The official residence of the monarch was the Royal Palace of Alderaan, also known as the Mountain Palace, situated in the planetary capital of Aldera and near a large wood. It served as the venue for numerous official ceremonies, festivities, and banquets, and its construction spanned over a millennium by 3 BBY. The palace encapsulated the entire history and evolution of Alderaanian architecture, as well as the opulence of royalty, featuring ancient stone rooms forming a vast labyrinth alongside more contemporary spaces like data centers and holochambers. The palace also housed the Rhindon Sword and a landscape painting of Appenza Peak.

During the reign of Queen Breha and Viceroy Bail Organa, the royal family also owned a ranch where they cultivated emerald grapes used to produce high-quality emerald wine, which was highly favored by Hiram Zataire. They also possessed a penthouse suite on Coruscant known as Cantham House, which was considered relatively modest by both royal and senatorial standards. However, Sabé, the former handmaiden of Naboo, observed that the Alderaanian plants and art installations incorporating wind or water on the roof of Cantham House must have been incredibly expensive.

Despite its hereditary nature, the Alderaanian monarchy was less formal than the elective Naboo monarchy, a fact that greatly surprised Padmé Amidala upon her initial visit to Alderaan.

Despite the egalitarian nature of the Alderaanian monarchy, certain protocols were generally expected when interacting with royals. During her reign, Queen Breha was formally addressed as "Her Majesty Breha Organa" or "Her Majesty Queen Breha," and addressed as "Your Majesty." Her viceroy and consort, Bail Organa, was simply addressed as "Viceroy." Their heiress, Princess Leia, was variously addressed as "Your Highness," "Princess Leia (Organa) of Alderaan," "Princess Leia," or simply "Princess." She would introduce herself as "Leia Organa, princess of Alderaan," "Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan," "Leia Organa, princess of the ruling house of Alderaan, heir to the crown," or "Princess Leia of the royal House of Organa, future queen of Alderaan."

Han Solo, Leia's eventual Corellian husband, frequently teased Leia's royal title, referring to her as "Your Worship," "Your Highnessness," and "Her Royal Annoyance."

The Crest of Alderaan, an inverted triangle composed of interwoven curves, served as a royal emblem. It was notably featured on one of Viceroy Bail Organa's belts, and Princess Leia possessed a hair clasp in its shape.

Alderaanian traditions dictated that the monarch wear braids, and the Alderaanian monarchy generally favored modest clothing, especially compared to the ostentatious, brightly colored garments worn by the monarchs of Naboo. They preferred relatively simple designs in muted colors, with a long coat being part of a viceroy's official attire. Queen Breha was known for owning a blue-and-bronze slash-sleeved dress that mirrored her planet's oceans and valleys. Her state wardrobe also included a dress of bronze silk, which she wore with her hair styled in high braids adorned with strings of beads, a green dress with wide skirts, and a deep red silk robe. In informal settings, she wore simple velvet robes and wore her hair down.

Simple white outfits also played a significant role in the monarchy. For instance, both the monarch and their consort wore them during the investiture ceremony of their heir. Princess Leia also favored simple white gowns suitable for most occasions. The princess's simplistic style often clashed with her attendant droid WA-2V, which was programmed to ensure that the princess was always presented in grand style for every occasion. During the Royal Award Ceremony, she wore one with long draping sleeves and a low scoop neckline created by fashion designer Delva Racine.

Leia Organa once remarked that if her wedding had taken place on Alderaan, in the cathedral located in Aldera, she would have worn a traditional lace dress. There would also have been an hour dedicated to the bell service, three different traditional meals with guests of rank and more. Breha Organa also would have attached the Rhindon Sword to Leia's waist before going to meet her husband (or wife).

While a Crown of Alderaan existed, it was typically kept in a museum and only brought out for special occasions, such as the heir's Day of Demand. The Heir's Crown was adorned with jewels. There were also crown jewels, which Brea and Senni Tonnika once attempted to steal by breaking into the Royal Palace. Their attempt failed, forcing them to hide in a dumpster for two nights.

The thrones of the Alderaanian monarch and their consort were golden and were positioned on a dais in the throne room of the Royal Palace of Alderaan.