What is the name of Padmé’s royal title in Episode I?

The story behind the answer

In The Phantom Menace, Padmé serves as Naboo’s elected monarch, styled as Queen Amidala. That distinguishes her from the other options: “Senator” is her later role in Episodes II–III; “Princess” refers famously to Leia of Alderaan; and “Duchess” evokes Satine Kryze of Mandalore from The Clone Wars, not Padmé.

Naboo’s monarchy is unique in Star Wars as it’s elective, not hereditary. Padmé Naberrie took the regnal name Amidala and was chosen at age 14 for her leadership and compassion during the Trade Federation crisis. Her elaborate gowns and symbolic face paint projected authority and masked her youth, while her handmaidens (notably the decoy Sabé) provided security and strategic misdirection—elements that are central to the film’s political intrigue.