Billie Lourd Shares Heartwarming Photo of Her Children Watching Leia in ‘Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope’ for May the 4th
Each year, Star Wars Day resonates differently for fans, depending on their personal connection to the galaxy far, far away. For many, May the 4th is a time for rewatching films, sharing lightsaber memes, and indulging in themed merchandise. However, for Billie Lourd, this day holds a unique significance, as she shares a direct and living bond with the legendary Carrie Fisher, the actress who brought Princess Leia to life.
As the only child of the late Carrie Fisher, Lourd has gracefully honored her mother’s legacy since Fisher’s passing in 2016. She stepped into the ‘Star Wars’ universe herself, portraying Lieutenant Connix in the sequel trilogy, even sharing scenes with Fisher in ‘The Force Awakens’ and ‘The Last Jedi’ before her mother’s death. This connection transformed the franchise into a personal archive of her mother’s enduring presence.
This Star Wars Day, Lourd brought that legacy home in a touching manner. On May 4, she shared a photo on Instagram featuring her son Kingston, 5, and daughter Jackson, 3, captivated as they watched ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ on their television.
The photo, taken during one of Carrie Fisher’s earliest scenes as Princess Leia, captured the two children silhouetted by the screen’s glow, completely mesmerized. Lourd shared in her Instagram Stories that “Kingston and Jackson are officially even bigger Star Wars nerds than me and nothing brings me more joy.”
This heartfelt moment resonated with fans around the world, who filled the comments with emotional reflections. One longtime fan remarked that Fisher had inspired her as a young girl, saying, “watching a princess saving herself that we are our own heroes,” emphasizing that Fisher’s strength made her “the true force for so many of us.” Another comment highlighted that Fisher’s legacy continues to inspire generations, noting that her grandchildren now get to witness her brilliance.
This tribute aligns with a tradition Lourd has cultivated over the years, intentionally remembering her mother through film. In an exclusive interview with E! News, Lourd recounted the first time she showed her children ‘Return of the Jedi’, describing their sweet confusion as they tried to connect the woman on screen with the grandmother they only knew through stories.
They asked her, “Wait, that’s my grandma?” to which she explained, “No, that’s Princess Leia, your grandma’s Carrie, but that’s Princess Leia.” She recalled sitting behind them, moved to tears as they watched, completely engrossed.
Lourd has referred to the ‘Star Wars’ films as “the ultimate high-budget home movie,” expressing how special it is to show her children their grandmother in those films.
Both Kingston and Jackson have since declared Princess Leia as their favorite ‘Star Wars’ character, a point of pride for Lourd. It appears that the Force is indeed a family affair in the Lourd-Rydell household.
Carrie Fisher passed away in December 2016, and although her grandchildren never had the chance to meet her, Lourd has emphasized her desire for them to know that Fisher was “a brilliant magical human.” She makes it a point to celebrate her mother on significant dates by sharing funny stories, watching her films, and enjoying her favorite foods. Moments like this year’s May the 4th post beautifully illustrate how she honors her mother’s memory.
Share your thoughts in the comments below — what does Billie Lourd’s annual ‘Star Wars’ Day tribute mean to you as a fan?