Princess Natalia Dragomiroff Character Analysis in Murder on the Orient Express

Princess Dragomiroff is wealthy, elderly Russian woman who now resides in France. The other passengers remark on her ugliness, but also her strength of will and self-possession. An expensive handkerchief is planted in Ratchett’s compartment in order to strategically draw suspicion to her, as her frailty makes her an unlikely murderer. Princess Dragomiroff was the godmother of Sonia Armstrong, Daisy’s mother.

Princess Natalia Dragomiroff Character Timeline in Murder on the Orient Express

The timeline below shows where the character Princess Natalia Dragomiroff appears in Murder on the Orient Express. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

National Identity and International Connections Theme Icon

Detective Methods and Inner Lives Theme Icon

...the “nonchalance of the uninterested aristocrat.” M. Bouc clarifies that the lady is the Russian Princess Dragomiroff, an ugly but “cosmopolitan” woman who “makes herself felt.” (full context)

Deception and Genre Expectations Theme Icon

Poirot again dismisses Pierre Michel and calls for the Russian Princess Dragomiroff. The investigators offer to meet her in her cabin, but she appears in the... (full context)

Although Russian by origin, Princess Dragomiroff now resides in Paris and is on her way home after staying at the... (full context)

It emerges that Princess Dragomiroff personally knew the Armstrongs through Sonia’s mother Linda Arden. As a result, she finds... (full context)

Then, the Princess leaves, but not before repeating Hercule Poirot’s name and declaring, “It is Destiny,” a remark... (full context)

Poirot has only one witness left to call: Hildegarde Schmidt, who is Princess Dragomiroff’s lady’s maid. Poirot was adversarial with Ms. Debenham, but with Hildegarde “he was at... (full context)

...maintains that she doesn’t know anything. She says she was called to attend to the Princess the previous night. When she notes that she doesn’t like to wear a dressing gown... (full context)

With Princess Dragomiroff, Poirot assures her that, in her case, the search is a formality. The Princess... (full context)

...are of various nationalities. Colonel Arbuthnot has the evidence of the pipe-cleaner in Ratchett’s room. Princess Dragomiroff has a strong motive, as she was very close to the Armstrongs. (full context)

...witness to write their name precisely to determine whether they are right- or left-handed. Only Princess Dragomiroff didn’t participate. (full context)

...a moment, the elegance and expense of the handkerchief point to two women in particular: Princess Dragomiroff and Countess Andrenyi. He notes the convenience of the grease spot near the first... (full context)

...that Countess Elena Andrenyi is actually Helena Goldenberg, Sonia Armstrong’s younger sister. As a result, Princess Dragomiroff, who knew the Armstrong family well, must have known Helena was on the train... (full context)

...Poirot reminds him that there was another option for the owner of the handkerchief. Indeed, Princess Dragomiroff enters the dining-car to claim ownership of it. (full context)

M. Bouc is shocked, objecting that her first name is Natalia, to which the Princess responds that the letter “N” appears as an “H” in the Russian alphabet. Poirot notes... (full context)

Princess Dragomiroff admits that she lied to protect the Countess, who she knew was Sonia Armstrong’s... (full context)

The Princess departs, and Poirot confers with the doctor to determine whether it’s physically possible that she... (full context)