Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Princess Leia will be known as 'General' in Episode 7

Princess Leia may be making an appearance in the new Star Wars instalment – but she’s got a new title.

She will now be referred to as General, after director JJ Abrams promoted her ranking for The Force Awakens.

The character – played by Carrie Fisher – was a Rebel Alliance officer in the original trilogy but has now embraced her role in the resistance.

“She’s referred to as a General," Abrams told Entertainment Weekly. "But there’s a moment in the movie where a character sort of slips and calls her ‘Princess’."

Speaking about the relationship between Leia and Harrison Ford's Hans Solo in the seventh film in the franchise, Abrams said: “The stakes are pretty high in the story for her, so there’s not much goofing around where Leia’s concerned. But it felt historic to have her, especially with Harrison, back in scenes together.

"I can only imagine the baggage that they bring to it, I’m just a fan who loves this stuff, but they’ve been living with it – and living in it – since ’77."

Fisher joked that she is "sick of" filming with Ford, telling the publication: “I think we’re pretty sick of each other by now, so we pretend to be interested in each other between takes.

“And we fail. I’m mostly interested in how [Ford] stays in such good shape. I can talk to him about that for a long time.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set for UK cinema release on December 17.