The Prince of Wales Character Analysis in The Scarlet Pimpernel

The heir apparent to the British throne and close friend of Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney. Although Orczy doesn’t explicitly say it, she implies that the Prince of Wales knows about Sir Percy’s secret identity as the Scarlet Pimpernel, and he obviously supports his friend’s efforts to rescue the condemned French aristocrats. Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney’s close relationship with the Prince reflects their own high standing in British society and establishes them as the leaders of high society.

The Prince of Wales Quotes in The Scarlet Pimpernel

The The Scarlet Pimpernel quotes below are all either spoken by The Prince of Wales or refer to The Prince of Wales. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Social Class and the French Revolution Theme Icon

Sir Percy Blakeney had travelled a great deal abroad, before he brought home his beautiful, young French wife. The fashionable circles of the time were ready to receive them both with open arms; Sir Percy was rich, his wife was accomplished, the Prince of Wales took a very great liking to them both. Within six months they were the acknowledged leaders of fashion and of style. Sir Percy’s coats were the talk of the town, his inanities were quoted, his foolish laugh copied by the gilded youth at Almack’s or the Mall. Everyone knew that he was hopelessly stupid, but then that was scarcely to be wondered at, seeing that all the Blakeneys for generations had been notoriously dull, and that his mother had died an imbecile.

Related Characters: The Scarlet Pimpernel / Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart. / The Hag / The Jew, Marguerite St. Just / Lady Blakeney, The Prince of Wales

Page Number and Citation: 44-5

Explanation and Analysis:

The Prince of Wales Character Timeline in The Scarlet Pimpernel

The timeline below shows where the character The Prince of Wales appears in The Scarlet Pimpernel. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...and she is “the most fashionable woman in London.” They are close friends with the Prince of Wales and together they “lead both fashion and society.” The Comtesse shudders. “I pray... (full context)

...ball is considered “the most brilliant function of the year” in London, and even the Prince of Wales is expected to attend. In the foyer of the massive city estate, Lord... (full context)

...to introduce M. Chauvelin, the accredited agent of the French Government?” Lord Grenville asks the Prince of Wales. He graciously agrees and welcomes the Frenchman to his country. “We will try... (full context)

...I would crave permission to present to Your Royal Highness,” Lord Grenville says, leading the Prince of Wales to the Comtesse de Tournay. “This is a pleasure, Madame,” the Prince says... (full context)

Disguise, Deception, and Dual Identity Theme Icon

...to a religion,” bows “ceremoniously.” Lady Blakeney does the same, and the Vicomte approaches. The Prince of Wales remembers meeting the Vicomte’s father, the Comte de Tournay, many years ago. “Ah,... (full context)

“Faith, then,” the Prince replies, “perhaps you know more about our national hero than we do ourselves…Perchance you know... (full context)

...She had invited her old friend to visit last night in the presence of the Prince of Wales, and the Comtesse had been too polite to forbid it. As Lady Blakeney... (full context)