Who Were Emperor Palpatine's Royal Guards?
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Wreathed in crimson robes and an all-encompassing helmet, these silent protectors first appeared in Return of the Jedi, guarding Emperor Palpatine as he arrived at the Death Star II to spring his trap on the Rebel Alliance. However, beyond their intimidating appearance, they did very little, standing in the background and silently retreating at their master’s command. But canon has since gradually expanded the Royal Guards, so today on CultureSlate we answer the question, who were they?
Origins
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The Royal Guard came into being during the Clone Wars, though initially they were known by the more modest title of the Red Guard. During the conflict, the blue-robed and helmeted Senate Guards and their elite branch, the Senate Commandos, were shown to be deeply flawed. With events like the betrayal of Captain Faro Argyus and the failure to stop the hostage crisis that allowed Ziro the Hutt to go free, the need for greater security cleared the way for Palpatine to commission the creation of the Red Guard as a personal force loyal to the Chancellor.
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Throughout the war, the Red Guard continued to edge out Senate security on the protection of the Chancellery, investigating any threats to Palpatine be it in the form of graffiti or more credible large-scale operations. They eventually fully replaced the Senate Guard and came to loom at Palpatine’s side during many major events near the war’s end, such as the trial of Ahsoka Tano. They seamlessly transitioned into the Imperial Era, guarding the new Emperor as Master Yoda arrived to fight Sidious after his declaration on the formation of the Galactic Empire. They were quickly knocked unconscious though, and played no role in the battle.
The Imperial Era
Throughout the time of the Galactic Empire, the Royal Guards continued to guard their master and his property. However, they were also assigned to others as Sidious commanded it, from top personal emissaries and advisors to Mas Amedda and even Darth Vader on occasion. They were also involved in several clashes with rebel and criminal forces before the formal Rebel Alliance or Syndicate War.
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For instance, when Sidious traveled to Ryloth in a trap he’d sprung on himself to oust those disloyal to him and to help him crush the Ryloth rebels under Cham Syndulla, several Royal Guards were with the Emperor and Darth Vader in their crash landing onto the planet. Then, there were the two Royal Guards stationed on Palpatine’s personal luxury yacht Imperialis. These two warriors were unique though. Because they were stationed to guard Sidious’ collection of Sith artifacts onboard the ship, namely, the Mask of Lord Momim being so close to such power warped the two guards. Their robes were ragged, and their facial features were malformed. It bears noting here that the Royal Guards were aware of who their master was, though they might not have realized the true cost of their service.
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But, the Guards also served the Emperor loyally through many other events, directly related to his Sith operations and the efforts of the Empire against the Rebels and criminals. A squad of three Royal Guards was ready and waiting in case Ezra Bridger rejected Sidious’ offer of the Lothal Jedi Temple portal. They were shortly after buried under a hail of rubble when Bridger rejected the offer. Several years later, the Royal Guards found themselves under threat.
When Qi’ra began to move her moves after Crimson Dawn’s return, she had Ochi of Bestoon assassinate a whole contingent of Royal Guards around the Emperor, to serve as a warning and increase his paranoia. Later though, when Qi’ra's true target of the Sith was revealed, Palpatine and Vader personally traveled to the Amaxine station, to disrupt Qi’ra's efforts to unlock the Fermata Cage. When the two left the Executor by shuttle, elite TIEs piloted by the Royal Guards escorted them to the station alongside other Guards who poured from the transport and aided the two Sith in combat against Crimson Dawn.
Membership And Gear
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The Emperor’s Royal Guards were the best of the best of the best and had to be totally loyal to their Emperor. Tested on every sort of aptitude, and all humans, their training ended with a fight to the death before Palpatine. Their gear was deceptively simple in most cases but wielded with great effectiveness. Each Royal Guard carried with them either an electrostaff, capable of shocking any target it touched with significant voltage, or a force-pike, which generated a forcefield from the tip that could be used to push opponents back or even levitate them into the air.
They also had other gear with them whenever they wore their red robes, the voluminous folds hiding these weapons well, though the Guards also had lightly armored outfits for missions that called for it. It is also clear that the Guards had some vehicles owned by their organization, namely the elite TIEs mentioned earlier, and possibly others given the TIE was by far not the only Imperial mainstay in combat.
Their Legacy
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With the death of the Emperor, the Royal Guards closed ranks around many of the top Imperials before the Battle of Jakku, guarding these symbols of Imperial authority as the New Republic continued to press their advantage. While the Guards eventually ceased as an organization, it is clear they had left an impact on the Empire’s successor factions. Snoke had his Praetorian Guards, and the reborn Darth Sidious had his Sovereign Protectors, both elite warriors clad in red armor. Their memory also never faded from the pro-Imperials of the galaxy, with New Republic Senator Ransolm Casterfo acquiring one of their helmets for his collection of Imperial regalia.
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