# Princess Flavia — The Prisoner of Zenda character guide > Princess Flavia in The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Flavia, the Princess Flavia, Queen Flavia **First appearance:** 0007-viii-a-fair-cousin-and-a-dark-brother ## Snapshot The beautiful, beloved cousin and betrothed of the King, whose growing love for the man she believes is her sovereign becomes the story's most painful entanglement. ## Who they are Princess Flavia is the King's cousin and intended bride, adored by the people of Strelsau and bound by duty to a marriage of state. She falls in love with the man she thinks is the king, unaware that he is an impostor, and her warmth and loyalty make her both a prize and a victim of the political game. Her presence raises the stakes of the impersonation from adventure to tragedy, because every kiss and every cheer binds Rudolf more tightly to a role he cannot keep. ## Relationships ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _professional_ Sapt serves as Flavia's protector and advisor, working to secure her position and the king's safety. ### [Black Michael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/black_michael) _rivalry_ Michael seeks to marry Flavia to legitimize his claim to the throne, but she despises him and remains loyal to the true king. ### [Rudolf Rassendyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rudolf_rassendyll) _romantic_ Flavia falls deeply in love with Rudolf (the king's double), believing him to be the king, creating a poignant and forbidden romance. ### [Fritz von Tarlenheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/fritz_von_tarlenheim) _friendship_ Fritz is a trusted friend and loyal subject to Flavia, supporting her through the political turmoil. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _rivalry_ Flavia views Rupert as a treacherous villain and a threat to the kingdom and her beloved. ### [Marshal Strakencz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/marshal_strakencz) _professional_ Marshal Strakencz is a high-ranking military officer who advises and protects Flavia as part of his duty to the crown. ### [Black Michael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/black_michael) _rivalry_ Michael seeks to marry Flavia to legitimize his claim to the throne, but she despises him and remains loyal to the true king. ### [Rudolf Rassendyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rudolf_rassendyll) _romantic_ Flavia falls deeply in love with Rudolf (the king's double), believing him to be the king, creating a poignant and forbidden romance. ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _professional_ Sapt serves as Flavia's protector and advisor, working to secure her position and the king's safety. ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _professional_ Sapt serves as Flavia's protector and advisor, working to secure her position and the king's safety. ### [Fritz von Tarlenheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/fritz_von_tarlenheim) _friendship_ Fritz is a trusted friend and loyal subject to Flavia, supporting her through the political turmoil. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _rivalry_ Flavia views Rupert as a treacherous villain and a threat to the kingdom and her beloved. ## In the story ### [II: Concerning the Colour of Men's Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/ii-concerning-the-colour-of-men-s-hair) Mentioned as the woman Black Michael wishes to marry and who is to be queen. ### [The Adventures of an Understudy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/v-the-adventures-of-an-understudy) Kisses Rassendyll's hand and is kissed by him; later comments that he looks different. ### [VII: His Majesty Sleeps in Strelsau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/vii-his-majesty-sleeps-in-strelsau) Sends a messenger to inquire about the king's health after the coronation festivities. ### [A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/viii-a-fair-cousin-and-a-dark-brother) Receives Rassendyll and engages in a tense conversation about Michael and court etiquette. ### [X: A Great Chance for a Villain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/x-a-great-chance-for-a-villain) Openly expresses her love for the king (Rassendyll), believing him to be Rudolf V; is deeply attached and wounded by perceived neglect. ### [Hunting a Very Big Boar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xi-hunting-a-very-big-boar) Receives a warning letter from Antoinette de Mauban; is protected by Rassendyll's orders and later shows jealousy over his supposed hunting trip. ### [A Night Outside the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xiv-a-night-outside-the-castle) Arrives at Tarlenheim, spends two days with Rassendyll, unaware of the full plot. ### [XV: I Talk with a Tempter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xv-i-talk-with-a-tempter) Rides with Rassendyll, comments on Rupert's handsomeness, and inadvertently causes Rassendyll's jealousy. ### [XVI: A Desperate Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xvi-a-desperate-plan) Exchanges rings with Rassendyll, unaware of his true identity, and is left behind as the rescue mission begins. ### [The Prisoner and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xx-the-prisoner-and-the-king) Defies the king's orders and travels to Zenda; discovers Rassendyll is not the king, leading to emotional collapse. ### [XXI: If Love Were All!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xxi-if-love-were-all) Meets Rassendyll in secret, confesses her love, and shares a heart-wrenching farewell, knowing duty must prevail. ### [XXII: Present, Past—and Future?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xxii-present-past-and-future) Now queen, she sends a red rose each year to Rassendyll via Fritz, fulfilling her duty to her country. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters