Emperor's Royal Guard

Royal Guards are soldiers who protect Emperor Palpatine in the fictional "Star Wars" universe. [Fernando Bueno, "Imperial Royal Guard," "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Prima Official Game Guide" (Roseville: Prima Games, 2008), 13.] They appear in ' (1983) and in the third prequel film, ' (2005). Royal Guards have been merchandised by into action figures and miniatures, and their backstory expanded upon in such works as Dark Horse Comics' "Crimson Empire" series.

Concept and development

Although Lucasfilm concept artist Nilo Rodis-Jamero created several designs for the Royal Guards, their crimson color remained consistent.cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/emperorsroyalguard/?id=bts|title=Emperor's Royal Guards (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|publisher=Lucasfilm|accessdate=2008-04-27] Rodis-Jamero's designs ranged from "centurion-like warriors to priest-like monks".

Jay Shuster based the Senate Guards' appearance in ' on the Royal Guards.cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/senateguard/?id=bts|title=Senate Guard (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|publisher=Lucasfilm|accessdate=2007-12-09] Shuster humanized the Senate Guards by exposing their faces, and he gave them a plume for a classical appearance. Although originally intended to be predecessors to the Royal Guards, ' shows the two types of guards to be contemporaneous. No longer needing to suggest the Senate Guards' progression into Royal Guards, costume prop supervisor Ivo Coveney removed the Senate Guards' plume and added a visor to their helmet for "Revenge of the Sith".

Depiction

When Palpatine becomes chancellor of the Galactic Republic, he phases out the Senate Guards in preference for his own Royal Guards. [cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/senateguard/index.html|title=Senate Guard (The Movies)|accessdate=2008-04-27|publisher=Lucasfilm|work=Star Wars Databank] Royal Guards accompany Emperor Palpatine at all times.cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/emperorsroyalguard/|title=Emperor's Royal Guards (The Movies)|accessdate=2008-04-27|publisher=Lucasfilm|work=Star Wars Databank] Guardsman Kir Kanos is the anti-hero in Dark Horse's "Crimson Empire" comics. [cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/kirkenixkilkanos/?id=bts|title=Kanos, Kir (Behind the Scenes)|accessdate=2008-04-27|publisher=Lucasfilm|work=Star Wars Databank]

Royal Guards are chosen from among the Empire's stormtroopers, and Guards regularly cycle back into the stormtrooper corps to maintain their battle readiness.cite book | last=Gorden | first=Greg |title=Star Wars Imperial Sourcebook |edition=2nd edition | publisher=West End Games| year=1993 | isbn=0-87431-210-8] Candidates for Royal Guard training are evaluated for their size, strength, intelligence, and loyalty; those chosen for training are assessed for their combat reflexes and stamina, and they receive training in a wide range of armed and unarmed combat. Guards' crimson robes conceal armor more advanced than stormtrooper armor.cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/emperorsroyalguard/?id=eu|title=Emperor's Royal Guards (Expanded Universe)|accessdate=2008-04-27|publisher=Lucasfilm|work=Star Wars Databank]

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