In the famed Star Wars universe, some of pop culture's favorite icons like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader were born, and Han Solo and Princess Leia are also vital figures in this space opera. Princess Leia Organa is the daughter of Anakin and Padmé and twin sister to Luke, and she one-hundred percent lives up to her Skywalker heritage.
Leia was largely ignorant of her role in the family until she met Luke, and she and her brother have risked it all to bring the light back to the galaxy. In some ways, Princess Leia has undergone some major personal changes, but other aspects of her character are quite consistent. How has she changed over time or not?
10 Changed: Knowledge Of The Force
Princess Leia is strong in the force for the same reason her brother Luke is, and like him, she grew up completely ignorant of it. In fact, Emperor Palpatine made sure that no one in the galaxy knew much about Jedi, the Force or lightsabers.
Leia grew up knowing the comforts of Alderaan royal life, but Jedi training was not included. Years later, when she joined the Rebellion and learned of her true heritage, she began to learn the ways of the Force. She didn't become a Jedi Master like Luke, but she sure knew her stuff.
9 Same: Selfless Spirit
One thing is for sure about Princess Leia: she fights for others, and never for herself. No matter the odds or the situation, Leia will not act in self-interest, especially not at the expense of others. She is a leader, not a pampered royalty figure.
Being a princess can mean being a warrior too, and Leia gives royalty a good name by giving it her all to save the downtrodden and the oppressed near and far. It deeply angers her that the Empire continues to abuse and exploit others, because it contradicts everything she believes in.
8 Changed: Front-Line Experience
Both Leia and Luke had to learn about combat on the fly, since they were soon thrust into action against the Empire. Leia had a bit of a head start, but even then, she wasn't quite prepared for the reality of facing Stormtroopers and bounty hunters.
Leia is tough like the rest of her family, though, and it didn't take long for her to get used to facing enemy soldiers in the name of galactic freedom. She got pretty used to wielding blasters, and by the time the battle of Endor took place, Leia was a proper soldier and then some.
7 Same: Courage
If Leia became a Rebel hero and a front-line soldier, it stands to reason that she is brave, too. But she didn't learn to be brave; she was always that way. From the very start, her iron will has made itself clear, even when facing the most intimidating people.
She has stared down the likes of Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin without flinching, refusing to be cowed or intimidated. She even talked back to them despite her poor position, showing courage that is nothing short of astonishing.
6 Changed: Base Of Operations
Every hero or operative needs a base of operations. Where is Leia's? That changes quite often, since she doesn't have Empire-style resources (and neither do her allies). Leia once called Alderaan home, but as fans have known since 1977, Alderaan was blown apart by the Death Star.
Leia oversaw the Death Star attack at the Yavin IV base, but she fled with the other rebels to Hoth, then fled from there to another base. Fighting the Empire is tough, and Leia isn't afraid to pack up and find a new base when the time comes.
5 Same: Love Of Family
Princess Leia is a kind and noble person, and that extends to family values as well, in the best possible way. She was quite close to her father Bail Organa, and she has gotten close to her brother Luke as well. And according to Return of the Jedi, she has early childhood memories of Padmé, and remembers her fondly (this contradicts Revenge of the Sith).
Leia married Han, and she wanted nothing more than a cohesive and loving family for them all. Even when her son Ben Solo fell to the Dark Side, she didn't give up on him, and she and Han were determined to get him back somehow.
4 Changed: Leadership Status
This is a relatively modest change, but it does count. Princess Leia was royalty on Alderaan, but she made a difference in the galaxy as a rogue helping the weak. She felt trapped and stifled in royal life; she felt like no leader at all while acting solely as a princess.
She later joined the Rebellion and became an officer there, helping to set up missions and plot the movement's next step. Later still, she became the general of the Resistance, the number-one leader for fighting back against the invading First Order.
3 Same: Decisive Nature
This ties in somewhat with Leia's courage and her ever-growing combat experience. She isn't just brave and noble; she also has a bold, pro-active streak that makes her an ideal rebel and hero. She's not the type to hesitate.
But she's not reckless or impatient, either. Leia strikes a proper balance, being the sort of person to quickly and smartly make up her mind on her next step and then take it without any trepidation or second thoughts. When she makes up her mind, there's no going back.
2 Changed: Relationship To Han
Leia didn't like Han Solo at first, since they had very different worldviews. Leia is a selfless and bold hero who believes in a higher cause, and up to a point, Han Solo was self-centered, slippery and pragmatic. They didn't mix well.
This cause them to butt heads many times, but they learned to meet in the middle ground, and became a stronger team for it. Han now believes in a cause, and Leia has learned to be practical and live lean while on the run. They fell in love, and then married. Growing up, Leia would have been shocked to hear that she'd marry a spice smuggler.
1 Same: Honesty
Princess Leia's personality has many virtues, and another of them is her honesty. Leia is not the type to deceive others or mislead them, or even tell a white lie. She doesn't mince words; if something needs to be said, she will say it.
Leia has tact when doing so, though, and is compassionate and gentle; she's not the "hurtful truth" type. But neither will she pretend that a situation is something it's not, nor will she whitewash anything. She will take the full measure of a situation or plan, and express it clearly for others. As some would say, she's a real straight shooter (and not just with blasters).