Question: Reading [the answer to a question about Sabé](https://scifi.stackexchange.com/a/10590/2565) (the Amidala stand-in) I remembered that I always wondered why she ordered the actual queen to scrub R2-D2. There were enough actual servants who could have done it, so why Padmé? If that wasn't enough, after giving the actual queen (Padmé) the order to go away, she tells Panaka to continue with the discussion. How does that make sense?

The significant piece of dialogue:

> 
> AMIDALA : Thank you, Artoo Detoo. You have proven to be very loyal...Padme!
>  ...  
> 
>  AMIDALA : (Cont'd) Clean this droid up the best you can. It deserves our gratitude...(to Panaka) Continue, Captain.
> 
> 
> 

Note that this question is two-fold:

1. Why was Padmé chosen in the first place?
2. Why would an important meeting with the ship's captain be continued without her?

Answer: 
1. It underscores the subterfuge - if the "queen" were deferential and reluctant to use a particular handmaiden as a servant, that would raise suspicions. If Padme wanted to be seen as a servant, she would have walk the walk.
2. I think that Sabé was well-trained enough to handle the situation. They were out of danger, and she could couch any major decision she was pressed for as "I need some time to think about it", huddle with Padme, and there you are. If you've cultivated a habit of consulting your handmaidens *anyway*, this seems perfectly logical - I suspect that the handmaidens are probably noble-born and highly educated as well.
The decision to ask her to clean the droid seems to have been to give Padmé an opportunity to interact directly with the Queen *without it seeming like she's consulting her*. Presumably if Padmé had disagreed, she could have shaken her head sadly as she looked at how dirty the droid was.

It's a little clearer in the film's [official novelisation](http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_I:_The_Phantom_Menace_(novel))

> 
> The Queen looked at Qui-Gon. The Jedi did not waver. **“You must trust
> my judgment, Your Highness.”**
> 
> 
> **“Must I?” Amidala asked quietly. She shifted her gaze to her
> handmaidens, ending with Padmé.** The girl had not moved from the
> Queen’s side, but seemed to remember suddenly she had been given a
> task to complete. **She nodded briefly to the Queen,** and moved to take
> R2-D2 in hand.
> 
> 
> Amidala looked back at Qui-Gon Jinn. “**We are in your hands,**” she
> advised, and the matter was settled.
> 
> 
> 

It also helps to maintain her subterfuge

> 
> *Now that I am Padmé, **the Queen can command me to perform tasks. I told
> Sabé she must do this, or it will look suspicious. But does Sabé get
> just a little pleasure out of telling me to clean up an astromech
> droid?***
> 
> 
> ***Maybe. She's only human.** Actually, once I began, I didn't mind the
> task. I like working with my hands, it takes my mind off the
> impatience. And after all, the droid saved my life.*
> 
> 
> [Star Wars Journals - Episode 1 #2 - Queen Amidala](https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/star-wars-journals-episode-1-02-amidala-by-jude-watson/)
> 
> 
>