# Prince Terniloff — The Great Impersonation character guide

> Prince Terniloff in The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Prince, Terniloff, Prince Von Terniloff, Von Terniloff

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Snapshot

A German ambassador who despises espionage yet must host the spies his government sends, Terniloff embodies the old diplomacy's uneasy conscience.

## Who they are

Terniloff moves through Carlton House Terrace drawing rooms and snowy shooting parties as the polished face of German interests in England, a man who genuinely believes in peace and says so in private despatches to Potsdam. His distaste for the network of agents operating under his nose sets him at odds with his own service, and his sympathy for the Princess Eiderstrom's anguish over Leopold Von Ragastein reveals a diplomat more loyal to personal honour than to Berlin's methods. His quiet resistance gives the novel's intrigue a moral counterweight, making every secret meeting feel like a betrayal of something worth preserving.

## In the story

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/vi)

Dominey is scheduled to meet Prince Terniloff at the Embassy at eleven o'clock.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/vii)

Hosts the meeting between Dominey and Princess Eiderstrom, advises Dominey to placate her for political reasons.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as the target of Dominey's mission; the Kaiser describes him as a gullible ambassador of peace.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xv)

Participates in the shoot, is affable, and suggests driving pheasants from the Black Wood, unaware of the local superstition.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xvi)

Plays billiards after dinner and earlier speaks as a private individual against war, then in his ambassadorial capacity for peace.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xx)

Confronts Dominey about his espionage, arguing that peace between England and Germany makes it unnecessary; expresses pride in his diplomatic work and offers to show his memoirs.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxii)

Argues for peace and urges Dominey to abandon his false position to protect their friendship.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxiv)

Confides in Dominey about official despatches from Berlin and his disapproval of the scheme, while expressing chivalrous regard for Rosamund.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxv)

Optimistic about peace, shares his faith in German intentions and receives a cable from Princess Eiderstrom.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxvi)

Mentioned as having advised Dominey; his view on keeping England out of war is discussed.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxvii)

Distraught by the outbreak of war, he entrusts his diary to Dominey and prepares to leave England.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/characters/prince_terniloff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/characters