I took that more as hyperbole. But also this is a universe where the "republic" wasn't really much a republic either. So it could just be by pointless appointment with a regent which would explain a ton of the incompetence that plagued the old republic.
To be fair, her mother was elected queen at 14.
...I'm willing to forgive a lot of issues with the prequels, but Episode 1 really stretches it.
I took that more as hyperbole. But also this is a universe where the "republic" wasn't really much a republic either. So it could just be by pointless appointment with a regent which would explain a ton of the incompetence that plagued the old republic.