# Lilandra Neramani

Princess-Majestrix Lilandra Neramani (/lɪˈlændrə/) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with the X-Men. She is the Empress, or Majestrix, of the Shi'ar Empire and shares a lifelong bond with the leader of the X-Men, Charles Xavier. She and Xavier were married, but their marriage was annulled after the Cassandra Nova incident.
As the Empress, Lilandra is protected by the Imperial Guard, led by Gladiator.
Lilandra has often been a pivotal secondary character in the X-Men's history, from her participation in the Phoenix Saga, to her role in Grant Morrison's experimental and controversial run on New X-Men. Her role as one of Professor X's most cherished loves has played a significant part in the development of both characters, as well as many of the plots throughout the X-Men books.

## Publication history

Lilandra Neramani first appeared in X-Men #97 (February 1976) and was created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. She continued to appear in the series as an ally of the X-Men throughout the late 70s and early 80s, frequently residing at the X-Mansion.
After her return to space, she would continue to make appearances as part of the Shi'ar Empire, appearing in Operation: Galactic Storm, and Starjammers, among others, throughout the 1990s. In the 2000s, Lilandra appeared in New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, as well as the limited series X-Men: Emperor Vulcan. She also appeared in the crossover book War of Kings before her death in the fourth issue. She has made limited posthumous appearances since her death in 2009.

## Fictional character biography

Lilandra is the sibling of D'Ken, Deathbird, and an unnamed older sister. Lilandra hatches on the Aerie (now known as Chandilar, native world of the Shi'ar). Deathbird, the oldest of the surviving three, is denied the throne for "unspeakable" crimes (the murder of her mother and older sister) and exiled. Instead the throne went to D'Ken, who becomes a power-mad dictator. Lilandra becomes a Grand Admiral of the Imperial Guard in the Shi'ar fleet, but turns against D'Ken after learning of his plans involving the M'Kraan Crystal. Branded a traitor, Lilandra flees to Earth and becomes an ally of Charles Xavier and his X-Men.

### Dealing with D'Ken

Finally meeting Xavier in person, she is captured by Davan Shakari before being rescued by the X-Men and Starjammers. She invites Xavier to accompany her to the Shi'ar throne-world.

### Majestrix-in-Exile

Lilandra takes the throne as Majestrix-Shi'ar (empress of the Shi'ar Imperium) with Xavier as her official consort. She stages a trial by combat to determine the fate of Phoenix and overcomes Deathbird's first attempted coup. However, a short while later her position is usurped by Deathbird, who had made a pact with the Brood and Badoon. She escapes along with the X-Men to Earth. She becomes a freedom fighter and allies with the Starjammers to retake her throne.

### Trial of Reed Richards

As monarch, Lilandra takes a leading role in interstellar affairs, such as dealing with the menace of Dark Phoenix and indicting Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four for daring to save the life of the planet consumer, Galactus.

### Return to the throne

When Charles Xavier suffers a near-fatal heart attack, the Starjammers heal him, but due to enemy spacecraft, they cannot return to Earth. With the help of Xavier and the Starjammers, Lilandra eventually manages to retake the throne and separates from Xavier.

### Kree-Shi'ar War

Before much longer, interstellar war erupts between the Shi'ar and the Kree. Lilandra orders the Starjammers to transport the Nega-Bomb into Kree space. She survives an assassination attempt by the Kree Starforce, and decides to recall the Bomb before discovering that a Skrull impersonating Araki helped cause the Kree-Shi'ar War. At the end of the war, she takes control of the devastated Kree Empire and appoints Deathbird as her viceroy. Fearing the Kree will seek retribution against the Avengers for their part in ending the war, Lilandra sends Deathcry to protect Earth.

### Cassandra Nova

While Lilandra is a peaceful and beloved empress, her reign proves to be tumultuous. During her reign, the Skrull attempt to infiltrate and control the Shi'ar government, an intergalactic war with the Kree erupts, and the Phalanx and Uncreated attack. The most damage done to the Shi'ar Empire was done by Cassandra Nova, who, in the body of Charles Xavier, mind-controls Lilandra and takes control of the Shi'ar fleet. Lilandra is lost for a while on earth and attempts to kill Xavier, not understanding he was his own self again. Afterwards, Lilandra and Xavier's marriage is annulled.

### Emperor Vulcan

Vulcan attempts to gain control of the Shi'ar, kills D'Ken and several members of the Imperial Guard, and becomes the ruler of the Shi'ar Imperium. Lilandra is currently in the company of the Starjammers, opposing Vulcan's tyranny. Most of the Starjammers are eventually captured by Vulcan. However, Korvus, Marvel Girl and Lilandra remain free.

### X-Men: Kingbreaker & War of the Kings

Lilandra appears as a central character in the Emperor Vulcan sequel, X-Men: Kingbreaker and in the War of Kings miniseries, which began in early 2009. In the War of Kings crossover, Lilandra is assassinated by Darkhawk.

### Xandra

It was revealed in Mr. & Mrs. X (Vol. 1) #3 (September, 2018) that a daughter was created with the genetic material of both Lilandra and Xavier. The child grew in an egg and was cared for by Cerise, who eventually reached out to Rogue and Gambit on their honeymoon to help her defend it from the likes of the Imperial Guard, Technet, and Deadpool. She was protected by the group of heroes and left with the Starjammers.
Xandra would later go on to lead the Shi'ar Empire as the new Majestrix. She was killed by the Delphos, before being resurrected on Krakoa.

## Powers and abilities

As a Shi'ar, Lilandra has heightened strength and stamina to that of a human. Lilandra also has limited telepathic abilities whose extent have yet to be clearly defined.
Lilandra is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and pilot and wields various Shi'ar weaponry.

## Other versions
### Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Lilandra Neramani from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate X-Men. This version is the human leader of the Church of Shi'ar Enlightenment, and claims to represent an ancient religion that worships the Phoenix. Additionally, the Mad Thinker uses an illusory entity named Lal-Qil-Atrox, similar to Lilandra, to assist her in stealing parts of Cerebro.

### X-Men: The End

An alternate universe variant of Lilandra Neramani from Earth-41001 appears in X-Men: The End.

## In other media
### Television

* Lilandra Neramani appears in X-Men: The Animated Series, voiced by Camilla Scott. This version met Xavier after the foundation of the X-Men while fighting D'Ken and offered to have the former join her, but he declines for as long as there is no peace between mankind and mutants. Lilandra returns to Earth in the series finale to care for Xavier after Henry Peter Gyrich shoots him.
** Lilandra returns in X-Men '97, voiced by Morla Gorrondona. By this time, she has resumed her relationship with Xavier.
* Lilandra Neramani appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "It's a Wonderful Smash", voiced by Nika Futterman.

### Video games

* Lilandra Neramani appears in X-Men.
* Lilandra Neramani appears in the PlayStation Portable version of X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.
* Lilandra Neramani appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Marabina Jaimes.
* Lilandra Neramani has a cameo in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.
* Lilandra Neramani appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.

### Merchandise

* Heroclix created a figure of Lilandra for the X-Men Rise and Fall line.
* Marvel Legends created a figure of Lilandra in 2024, as part of the Wolverine 50th Anniversary line. She came in Brood Saga two-pack with a Brood infected Wolverine. She was in formal Shi'ar armor, with her ceremonial staff as an accessory.

## Accolades

* ScreenRant ranked her 9th on "The 10 Most Powerful Members Of The Xavier Family", 6th on the "11 Most Dangerous Shi'ar Warriors in Marvel History" and as one of the "Best Non-Mutant Supporting Characters".
* CBR ranked her 9th on "The 10 Most Powerful Shi'ar".