Warning: Spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1The master and apprentice relationship is sacred in Leia Organa and Rey. However, once the Jedi Order collapsed and the Empire came to power, all of that changed. By the time of the events of the sequel trilogies, master-apprentice relationships are established once more, with one significant pairing being Leia Organa and Rey.

In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1 by Jody Ho and Will Sliney, Rey refers to Leia Organa as “master” on multiple occasions. As shown in The Rise of Skywalker film, there was a time in the early days of the New Republic where Leia trained to be a Jedi under her brother’s tutelage.

Leia never completed her training and did not consider herself to be a Jedi. Instead, she became a pivotal political figure for years, even into The Rise of Skywalker. But after Luke’s death, there is no one else to train Rey in the ways of the Force.

Princess Leia Is a Jedi Master in Her Own Right Thanks to Her Relationship with Rey

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1 by Jody Ho, Will Sliney, Guru-eFX, and Travis Lanham

Anakin Skywalker best explains the importance of the relationship between master and apprentice in the Disney+ series, Ahsoka, by telling Ahsoka that she is part of a legacy; just as she learned everything that Anakin knew, Anakin gained knowledge from Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan from Qui-Gon Jinn, and so on. In that way, Leia is very much Rey’s Jedi master, as Leia mentored Rey and taught her how to survive against the many battles to come, Rey also inherits Leia’s lightsaber, which indicates a relationship more intricate than mentor/mentee, especially where the Jedi are concerned.

There are many Jedi in Star Wars lore who never completed their formal Jedi training, but went on to uphold Jedi ideals.

Though Leia ended her Jedi training when she was younger, incomplete training does not necessarily equate with a failed Jedi. There are many Jedi in Star Wars lore who never completed their formal Jedi training but went on to uphold Jedi ideals. Ahsoka Tano is perhaps the best example, as she walked away from the Jedi Order before Anakin could finish training her. Regardless, she became one of the most defining figures in the galaxy. In that sense, Leia’s lack of training does not mean she is not a Jedi.

Princess Leia Exhibited Every Quality That the Jedi Order Looked for in Padawans

Leia Embodies the Very Essence of a Jedi

Jedi are protectors of peace, which is exactly what Leia is. She wants nothing more than peace in the galaxy, which she has fought for for her entire life. While training Rey, Leia shows comion and empathy, both traits valued by the Jedi Order. Her dedication to fighting for justice and freedom, even at great personal cost, aligns with the Jedi ideal of serving the greater good. Her choice to step away from active Jedi practice to focus on political and military leadership never diminished her connection to the Force, but showed that she could utilize her abilities for other purposes.

Leia’s natural Force sensitivity, inherited from her father Anakin Skywalker, was displayed clearly throughout the original trilogy. Her intuitive abilities allowed her to sense Luke’s presence and emotions and even to reach out to him across vast distances - abilities that would not be possible without the Force. Her ability to learn and adapt quickly, seen in her leadership roles, also lines up with the mental discipline often associated with Jedi. Though she may not personally have defined herself as a Jedi based on her incomplete training, Leia Organa was every bit as much of a Jedi as her father and brother were in Star Wars lore.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.