# The Duchess of Omnium — The Prime Minister character guide

> The Duchess of Omnium in The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the Duchess, Glencora, Lady Glencora, Lady Glencora Palliser

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-an-old-friend-goes-to-windsor

## Snapshot

Lady Glencora Palliser, whose dinners, receptions, and social daring may be holding together a government her husband only nominally leads.

## Who they are

The Duchess is the social force of the novel's political world — vivacious, extravagant, and far more practical than her wild reputation suggests, she keeps the coalition alive through sheer hospitality while her husband broods over whether he is really Prime Minister or merely her figurehead. Her energy is both her gift and her danger: she cannot resist a scheme, a guest list, or a chance to be useful, and her interventions ripple outward into other people's marriages and careers. She matters because the book's central question — who actually governs — keeps resolving, uncomfortably, to her.

## In the story

### [An Old Friend Goes to Windsor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/vi-an-old-friend-goes-to-windsor)

Questions her husband about his political prospects and later discusses the Duke's potential premiership with Mrs. Finn, expressing her ambition and desire to manage the social aspects of power.

### [VII: Another Old Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/vii-another-old-friend)

Attempts to secure the role of Mistress of the Robes for herself, but is rebuffed by the Duke.

### [The Beginning of a New Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/viii-the-beginning-of-a-new-career)

Moody and disappointed after being refused the Mistress of the Robes position, but is appeased when the Duke informs her of Phineas Finn's promotion.

### [Carlton Terrace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xi-carlton-terrace)

Orchestrates lavish political entertainments at Carlton Terrace, managing finances with Locock and Mrs. Finn while avoiding direct financial propositions to the Duke.

### [The Gathering of Clouds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xii-the-gathering-of-clouds)

Her popularity helps sustain the Ministry despite the Duke's social sins and her occasional despair.

### [The Duke of Omnium Thinks of Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xviii-the-duke-of-omnium-thinks-of-himself)

Plans the Gatherum entertainments, is surprised by the Duke's change of plans, and tries to manipulate him into staying away.

### [XIX: Vulgarity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xix-vulgarity)

Struggles with her husband's accusation of vulgarity, yet resolves to continue her work for his political success; tirelessly oversees preparations at Gatherum Castle.

### [Sir Orlando's Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xx-sir-orlando-s-policy)

The Duchess is active in social management at Gatherum Castle, favoring Ferdinand Lopez and making a joke about ministerial submission that offends some colleagues.

### [The Duchess's New Swan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxi-the-duchess-s-new-swan)

Takes Lopez as her favorite, discusses his parliamentary ambitions and love life, and becomes his fast friend.

### [St. James's Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxii-st-james-s-park)

Corresponded with Lopez about the possibility of the Duke supporting his candidacy for Silverbridge.

### [The Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxiv-the-marriage)

Hosts Lopez at Gatherum Castle, promises to call on the bride, sends a costly wedding present, and discusses the Silverbridge seat.

### [The Duke's Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxvii-the-duke-s-misery)

She is in high spirits and mentions a letter from Mr. Lopez, which further disturbs the Duke. She is present with Mrs. Finn when the Duke visits.

### [XXVIII: The Duchess Is Much Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxviii-the-duchess-is-much-troubled)

Deeply troubled by her husband's decision to abandon political hospitality; seeks advice from multiple confidants and argues that her social strategy has been a success.

### [The Two Candidates for Silverbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxix-the-two-candidates-for-silverbridge)

Writes to Lopez explaining the changed situation at Silverbridge; hints that her influence may still be used discreetly despite the Duke's declaration.

### [Yes;—with a Horsewhip in My Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxi-yes-with-a-horsewhip-in-my-hand)

Receives Lopez but refuses to discuss the Silverbridge election, leading Lopez to accuse her of dishonesty and slyness.

### [XXXII: “What Business Is It of Yours?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxii-what-business-is-it-of-yours)

Defies the Duke by secretly supporting Mr. Lopez in the Silverbridge election, lies about her involvement, and struggles with her husband's stern decision.

### [The Silverbridge Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-silverbridge-election)

Mentioned as having previously supported Lopez's candidacy, leading to a misunderstanding about the Duke's intentions.

### [The Horns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-horns)

Perseveres in hosting parties at The Horns despite ridicule; struggles with the burdens of her social campaign and her husband's political difficulties.

### [Sir Orlando Retires](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxviii-sir-orlando-retires)

Complains to Mrs. Finn about Lopez's behavior at Richmond and discusses Sir Orlando's complaints; refuses to invite Sir Orlando unless ordered by the Duke.

### [The Value of a Thick Skin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xli-the-value-of-a-thick-skin)

Attempts to prolong the session but is rebuffed by the Duke; her overzealousness is noted as a source of tension.

### [Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlii-retribution)

Defends herself against the Duke's accusations, feeling her efforts to support him are unappreciated; argues about social plans and a dispute with Mr. Sprout.

### [Mr. Slide's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/l-mr-slide-s-revenge)

Implied as the cause of the Duke's predicament due to her earlier encouragement of Lopez; the Duke avoids discussing the matter with her.

### [Coddling the Prime Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/li-coddling-the-prime-minister)

Learns of the scandal from Mrs. Finn and expresses anger at being kept in the dark, blaming the Duke's sensitivity.

### [What the Duchess Thought of Her Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lvi-what-the-duchess-thought-of-her-husband)

Reads the People's Banner article attacking her husband and herself; expresses willingness to confess publicly to protect the Duke, and reflects on his chivalrous character.

### [The Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lvii-the-explanation)

Anxious to attend the parliamentary proceedings, she is forbidden by her husband and remains at home.

### [The Widow and Her Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxi-the-widow-and-her-friends)

Sends a sympathetic note to Emily, offering forgiveness for Lopez's role in the Silverbridge affair.

### [The Duchess and Her Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxiii-the-duchess-and-her-friend)

Anxious and ambitious, she confides in the Duke of St. Bungay about her husband's decline and her own fears for his position.

### [The New K.G.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxiv-the-new-k-g)

Mentioned as having previously instigated her husband to demand the Garter as his right, though he declined.

### [The End of the Session](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvi-the-end-of-the-session)

Attempts to lighten the mood with badinage but inadvertently upsets the Duke; repents for not understanding his suffering.

### [Mrs. Lopez Prepares to Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvii-mrs-lopez-prepares-to-move)

Attempts to befriend Emily by inviting her to Matching, but is overruled by the Duke; leaves a card and note instead.

### [The Prime Minister's Political Creed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxviii-the-prime-minister-s-political-creed)

Hosts the party at Matching, makes witty remarks about Mr. Rattler and the political situation, and expresses concern about the Duke's political idealism.

### [He Thinks That Our Days Are Numbered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxii-he-thinks-that-our-days-are-numbered)

Receives the news from the Duke with a mix of sarcasm and tenderness, expressing relief that he will be spared further political torment.

### [Only the Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxiii-only-the-duke-of-omnium)

Visits the Duke to console him, expressing regret but also hope for the future.

### [Who Will It Be?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvi-who-will-it-be)

Moody and sullen after her husband's resignation, she feels her triumphs are over and blames the Duke's lack of stubbornness. She later chats with visitors and plans to visit Mrs. Lopez.

### [The Duchess in Manchester Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-duchess-in-manchester-square)

Visits Emily Lopez in Manchester Square with the intention of promoting a match with Arthur Fletcher, but finds the widow too sorrowful to engage.

### [The New Ministry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-new-ministry)

Expresses frustration and sarcasm about the new ministry, particularly the appointment of Sir Timothy Beeswax as Attorney-General, and confronts Phineas Finn on the matter.

### [The Last Meeting at Matching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxx-the-last-meeting-at-matching)

Recovers her outward good temper but still harbors hatred and revenge. She jokes about hosting a crowd at Gatherum and discusses Arthur Fletcher's engagement with him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/the_duchess_of_omnium
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters