Plantagenet Palliser the Duke of Omnium & former Prime Minister of England is widowed & wracked by grief. Struggling to adapt to life without his beloved Lady Glencora he works hard to guide & support his three adult children. Palliser soon discovers however that his own plans for them are very different from their desires. Sent down from university in disgrace his two sons quickly begin to run up gambling debts. His only daughter meanwhile longs passionately to marry the poor son of a county squire against her fathers will. But while the Dukes dearest wishes for the three are thwarted one by one he ultimately comes to understand that parents can learn from their own children. The final volume in the Palliser novels The Dukes Children" (1880) is a compelling exploration of wealth pride & ultimately the strength of love."