# The Duke of Omnium — The Prime Minister character guide > The Duke of Omnium in The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Plantagenet Palliser, Plantagenet, the Duke, Duke **First appearance:** 0017-xviii-the-duke-of-omnium-thinks-of-himself ## Snapshot A peer of rigid conscience and thin skin, he governs a Coalition he cannot control and endures attacks he cannot answer. ## Who they are Plantagenet Palliser, Duke of Omnium, holds the highest office in the land without the temperament for it: saturnine, silent, and privately convinced his Duchess's dinners hold the Government together better than his own judgment. He dreads the press, the mutiny of colleagues, and above all the suspicion that he is a figurehead. His struggle between duty and self-doubt defines the novel's central portrait of a decent man ground down by power. ## 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) Reveals to the Duchess that he has been summoned to Windsor by the Queen to potentially form a government, though he is reluctant and views it as a burden. ### [VII: Another Old Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/vii-another-old-friend) Struggles with self-doubt about his capacity to lead as Prime Minister, refuses the Duchess's request for a court position. ### [VII: Another Old Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/vii-another-old-friend) An experienced elder statesman who arrives to help the younger Duke form a ministry, bringing practical political wisdom. ### [The Beginning of a New Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/viii-the-beginning-of-a-new-career) Struggles with the formation of the coalition ministry, feeling distaste for the process and dealing with unblushing office-seekers like Mr. Rattler and Mr. Roby. ### [The Beginning of a New Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/viii-the-beginning-of-a-new-career) Also referred to as the younger Duke, he sighs over the degenerate patriotism of the age during the formation of the ministry. ### [Carlton Terrace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xi-carlton-terrace) Reluctantly agrees to the Duchess's plans for Gatherum Castle and lavish spending, showing tender affection but maintaining quiet authority over finances. ### [The Gathering of Clouds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xii-the-gathering-of-clouds) The Prime Minister remains firm on financial policy, supporting Mr. Monk against the Brewers' Licences. ### [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) Decides to go to Gatherum Castle immediately, reflects on his premiership and the burden of public display, and expresses a desire for a quieter life. ### [XIX: Vulgarity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xix-vulgarity) Disapproves of the lavish alterations to the estate, viewing them as unnecessary and vulgar; walks alone and later confronts the Duchess about her efforts. ### [Sir Orlando's Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xx-sir-orlando-s-policy) The Duke is portrayed as aloof and serious, preferring solitude and work over socializing. He is confronted by Sir Orlando about the Ministry's policy but remains noncommittal. ### [The Duchess's New Swan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxi-the-duchess-s-new-swan) Prefers talking to Lady Rosina De Courcy over Sir Orlando Drought, and is indifferent to Lopez. ### [The Duke's Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxvii-the-duke-s-misery) The Prime Minister is deeply miserable, feeling the burdens of office, sensitive to criticism, and wounded by Major Pountney's insolent request. He confides in the Duke of St. Bungay and later expels Pountney. ### [XXVIII: The Duchess Is Much Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxviii-the-duchess-is-much-troubled) Expels Major Pountney from Gatherum Castle and reiterates his intention to live in republican simplicity, causing conflict with the Duchess. ### [XXVIII: The Duchess Is Much Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxviii-the-duchess-is-much-troubled) Special friend of the Duke of Omnium; advises the Duchess to be patient and acknowledges the Duke's exceptional honesty. ### [XXXII: “What Business Is It of Yours?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxii-what-business-is-it-of-yours) Struggles with political pressure from Sir Orlando Drought and personal conflict with the Duchess over the Silverbridge election, while trying to maintain his principles. ### [The Silverbridge Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-silverbridge-election) Publishes a letter clarifying he will not endorse any candidate, effectively abandoning control of the Silverbridge election. ### [The Horns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-horns) Prime Minister facing internal coalition strife, particularly with Sir Orlando Drought; reluctantly follows the old Duke's advice to avoid immediate resignation. ### [Sir Orlando Retires](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxviii-sir-orlando-retires) Receives Sir Orlando's resignation with cool politeness; privately expresses frustration about controlling his own guest list. ### [The Value of a Thick Skin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xli-the-value-of-a-thick-skin) Prime Minister is moody, irritable, and thin-skinned, distressed by Mr. Slide's article and struggles with cabinet appointments. ### [Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlii-retribution) Confronts the Duchess about Lopez's letter, expresses anger and shame over her involvement, and threatens to retire from public life. ### [Kauri Gum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xliii-kauri-gum) Receives Lopez's letter and, through his private secretary, sends a £500 cheque, which Lopez decides to keep. ### [Mr. Slide's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/l-mr-slide-s-revenge) Prime Minister deeply troubled by Slide's published allegations about paying Lopez's election expenses; considers resignation. ### [Coddling the Prime Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/li-coddling-the-prime-minister) Ill and unhappy, he is being coddled by his colleagues and private secretary due to the scandal over Lopez's election expenses. ### [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) Prime Minister deeply wounded by Sir Orlando's betrayal and Mr. Slide's attacks; struggles with the dishonesty of politics and his own silent, saturnine demeanor. ### [The Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lvii-the-explanation) The Prime Minister is deeply distressed by the scandal and insists on a parliamentary explanation, but refuses to allow his wife's name to be mentioned. ### [Phineas Finn Has a Book to Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxii-phineas-finn-has-a-book-to-read) The Duke is deeply affected by the accusation that he hounded Lopez to death. He initially wants to sue Slide but accepts Phineas's decision not to. ### [The Duchess and Her Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxiii-the-duchess-and-her-friend) Shows signs of physical and mental strain, haunted by Lopez's death and burdened by the premiership. ### [The New K.G.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxiv-the-new-k-g) As Prime Minister, he firmly refuses to accept the Garter for himself and rejects claims based on wealth or political support, ultimately choosing Lord Earlybird. ### [There Must Be Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxv-there-must-be-time) Mentioned as still being affected by the Lopez affair, as Slide continues to write about it in the People's Banner. ### [The End of the Session](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvi-the-end-of-the-session) Tormented by self-doubt after appointing Lord Earlybird to the Garter against advice; feels isolated from colleagues and wounded by press attacks. ### [Mrs. Lopez Prepares to Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvii-mrs-lopez-prepares-to-move) Rejects the Duchess's proposal to invite Mrs. Lopez, finding the subject of Lopez painful. ### [The Prime Minister's Political Creed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxviii-the-prime-minister-s-political-creed) Engages in a philosophical discussion with Phineas Finn about Conservatism and Liberalism, expressing a desire to lessen social distances and regretting his lack of social amusements. ### [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) Confronts the likelihood of political defeat and resignation, reflecting on his identity and future without office. ### [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) Visits the Prime Minister to discuss the impending failure of the Bill and the government's likely resignation. ### [Only the Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxiii-only-the-duke-of-omnium) Resigns as Prime Minister after a narrow majority of nine; feels wretched and disappointed, fearing his political career is over. ### [Who Will It Be?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvi-who-will-it-be) The late Prime Minister who has resigned. He is firm in his decision not to return to office, despite pressure from the Duchess and the Duke of St. Bungay. ### [Who Will It Be?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvi-who-will-it-be) Referred to as the Duke of St. Bungay in the text, he is the Nestor of the occasion, advising on the formation of a new ministry and pressing the Duke of Omnium to reconsider. ### [The Duchess in Manchester Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-duchess-in-manchester-square) Returns home after meeting with Mr. Monk, Mr. Gresham, and Lord Cantrip, announcing that the political situation is settled. ### [The New Ministry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-new-ministry) Resolves not to serve under another leader after being Prime Minister, feeling it would be a degradation. Visits Mr. Monk and the Duke of St. Bungay to decline any position in the new ministry. ### [The Last Meeting at Matching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxx-the-last-meeting-at-matching) The ex-Prime Minister, now retired, struggles with his loss of power and frets over his political future. He engages in a philosophical discussion with Mr. Monk about the Coalition and his own role. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/the_duke_of_omnium - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters