Prince Gabriel in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love: Character Analysis

Overview: The Heir Who Wanted to Be More Than a Crown Prince

Prince Gabriel is the elder brother of Princess Gwendoline and the heir to the English throne in Lex Croucher's Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. From the opening chapters, he appears as the dutiful, studious prince—the one who reads military strategy, attends council meetings, and tries to model himself on the legendary King Arthur. Yet beneath that composed exterior lies a young man crushed by the weight of expectation. Gabriel's arc is defined by a central conflict: he is expected to become a king who embodies the chivalric ideal, but he secretly dreams of a quieter life at Tintagel Castle's library, and he harbors romantic feelings for Arthur Delacey, his sister's betrothed. Over the course of the novel, Gabriel moves from repression and self-denial to a hard-won acceptance of his own desires, culminating in his transformation into a reform-minded king after his father's death in battle. His story is a study in the cost of concealment and the courage required to redefine what duty means.

Plot Role: The Reluctant Heir

Gabriel functions as both a political and emotional anchor in the narrative. As the crown prince, he is the target of the Delacey family's scheme to gain influence—Arthur's father, Lord Delacey, orders Arthur to court Gwen and to gather information from Gabriel, hoping to leverage the prince's position for political gain. Gabriel is also the recipient of Arthur's most significant gift: the discovered letters from Sir Lancelot to King Arthur, which challenge the official history and eventually become the catalyst for Gabriel's decision to rule differently.

On a personal level, Gabriel's relationship with Arthur provides a parallel to Gwen's romance with Bridget Leclair. While Gwen and Bridget navigate their attraction openly (at least among allies), Gabriel and Arthur's connection remains hidden, burdened by the prince's fear of scandal and his sense of duty. Gabriel's initial rejection of Gwen's confession about Bridget—and his later admission that he kissed Arthur—reveals the internalized shame that shapes his early actions. His eventual acceptance of his own identity, and his willingness to share the Lancelot letters with the public, marks a turning point not only for him but for the kingdom.

Motivations and Traits: Duty, Fear, and a Hidden Heart

Gabriel's primary motivation is the fear of failing his father's legacy. In Chapter 10, he tells Arthur that his father told him he must be “the king the people needed, even if it wasn't the man I wanted to be.” This statement encapsulates his entire worldview: he believes his personal desires are irrelevant to his role. He is deeply studious, spending hours in the library researching Arthurian legend and military history, not out of passion but out of a sense of obligation. He admits he does not believe in the magic of the cultists, yet he wants to be “worthy” of the people's expectations.

His traits are revealed through actions. He is cautious and careful—Arthur notes that Gabriel is “careful” and that he and Gwen are “careful” people. He is also deeply loyal to his sister, though his loyalty is tested when she confesses her feelings for Bridget. His reaction—walking away, telling her he cannot hear it—stems not from a lack of love but from his own terror of what such feelings mean for someone in his position. He is also brave in a quiet way: he joins the defense against the coup, fights in the battle, and loses his left arm, yet he does not waver in his commitment to protect his family and kingdom.

Chronological Arc: From Repression to Reform

Gabriel's arc can be traced through several key phases.

Early Summer: The Dutiful Prince

At the start, Gabriel is the responsible sibling. He shows Gwen the dowry parchment, plays chess with her, and attends the tournament opening ceremony. He is present at family breakfasts, where he mentions Arthur's clumsy arrival. He is also the one who tells Gwen about the cultist uprisings and military strategy meetings, showing his involvement in state affairs. His first significant interaction with Arthur occurs in the kitchens, where they collide over a platter of marzipan—an awkward, almost comedic meeting that hints at future tension.

The Secret Kiss and Its Aftermath

In Chapter 12, Arthur kisses Gabriel in the mews, and Gabriel shoves him away. Later, he kisses Arthur back before pushing him away again. This pattern—approach and retreat—defines their early relationship. Gabriel insists the kiss is a problem because of his position, telling Arthur, “I am England.” He refuses to separate his personal feelings from his public role. When Gwen confesses her feelings for Bridget, Gabriel's reaction is harsh; he walks away, leaving Gwen devastated. Arthur confronts him in Chapter 18, accusing him of punishing Gwen for who she is because he is scared of who he might be. This confrontation forces Gabriel to admit his dream of working at Tintagel's library and making books available to everyone—a dream he has never told anyone except Gwen.

The Lancelot Letters and the Coup

Arthur gives Gabriel the Lancelot letters in Chapter 23, claiming they are from Lancelot to King Arthur. Gabriel is initially resistant, fearing the chaos they could cause. But the letters, combined with the trauma of the coup and his father's death, push him toward a new understanding. In Chapter 40, after the battle, Gabriel tells Arthur that he wants to be true to himself and to England, and that it is time to do things differently. He decides to release the letters publicly, despite the risk.

The King's Transformation

After the battle, Gabriel becomes king. He is physically changed—his left arm is amputated—but more importantly, he governs in a radically different way. He assembles a new council, speaks his mind, listens, and asks for clarification when he does not understand. He chooses leniency for the prisoners from the battle, scattering them across England under the care of trusted bannermen rather than executing them, which causes Sir Hurst to storm out in disgust. He also plans to move to Tintagel with Arthur, signaling his commitment to his dream of education reform.

Relationships: The Bonds That Shape Him

With Gwen

Gabriel and Gwen share a close sibling bond, described as “irritatingly attached at the hip.” They trust each other with secrets, and Gabriel is the one person Gwen feels she can confide in. However, his reaction to her confession about Bridget creates a rift. He later apologizes, admitting he kissed Arthur and has feelings for him, and they reconcile. Their relationship is a mirror of the larger theme of self-acceptance: both must learn to embrace who they are, and they support each other in doing so.

With Arthur

Gabriel's relationship with Arthur is the emotional core of his arc. It begins with awkwardness, evolves into secret kisses and heated arguments, and finally matures into a partnership. Arthur challenges Gabriel's self-denial, telling him he can be king and still have what he wants. Gabriel resists, but Arthur's persistence—and the Lancelot letters—eventually break through. After the battle, they take things slowly, but by the end, they are together, with Arthur planning to join Gabriel at Tintagel.

With His Father

Gabriel's father, the king, is a looming presence. Gabriel fears disappointing him, and his father's words—“you have to be the king the people needed”—haunt him. The king's death in battle is a turning point; it frees Gabriel from the need to emulate his father, allowing him to forge his own path.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Rejecting Gwen's Confession

When Gwen tells Gabriel about her feelings for Bridget, he walks away, saying he cannot hear it. This decision causes a painful rift between them and reveals Gabriel's own internalized homophobia. It also forces Arthur to intervene, leading to a confrontation that ultimately helps Gabriel confront his own feelings.

Kissing Arthur and Then Pushing Away

Gabriel's pattern of kissing Arthur and then retreating reflects his fear of the consequences. Each time, he insists that his position makes a relationship impossible. This decision prolongs their suffering and delays his self-acceptance.

Accepting the Lancelot Letters

Arthur gives Gabriel the letters, and Gabriel initially refuses to release them, fearing chaos and accusations of forgery. But after the coup and his father's death, he decides to make them public. This decision is a turning point: it signals his willingness to challenge tradition and embrace a more honest, inclusive vision of kingship.

Joining the Defense Against the Coup

Gabriel insists on joining the army to defend Camelot, despite Gwen's pleas. He fights bravely and loses his arm. This decision demonstrates his commitment to his duty, but it also costs him physically and emotionally. It is a sacrifice that shapes his later rule.

Choosing Leniency as King

As king, Gabriel refuses to execute the prisoners from the battle, instead scattering them across England. This decision angers traditionalists like Sir Hurst but reflects Gabriel's belief in mercy and rehabilitation. It is a direct departure from his father's cautious, non-confrontational approach.

Themes and Symbolic Connections

Gabriel's story is deeply tied to the novel's central themes. His struggle with his sexuality and his fear of exposure connect to the theme of queer identity and the cost of concealment. His conflict between his duty to the crown and his personal desires embodies duty versus personal desire. His performance of the ideal prince—studious, serious, always reading—reflects the theme of the performance of identity and gender. The political conspiracy that leads to his father's death and his own rise to power ties into political conspiracy and the abuse of power. Finally, his relationship with his father and his eventual rejection of his father's model of kingship speaks to self-worth and parental expectations.

Symbolically, Gabriel is associated with books and learning. His rooms are filled with books, and his dream is to make education accessible. The Lancelot letters serve as a symbol of hidden truth and the power of knowledge to challenge authority. His crow, Morgana, and the cat Lucifer (which he shares with Arthur) also hint at his connection to the natural world and his softer side.

Questions and Answers

1. Why does Gabriel react so negatively when Gwen confesses her feelings for Bridget?

Gabriel's reaction is rooted in his own fear and internalized shame. He is terrified of what such feelings mean for someone in his position as heir to the throne. He tells Arthur later that he does not want this for either of them, because of their titles and what is expected of them. His rejection of Gwen is not a lack of love but a projection of his own self-loathing.

2. What is Gabriel's dream job, and why does he keep it secret?

Gabriel dreams of working at Tintagel Castle's library, where he would make books available to everyone and train academics to spread education across England. He keeps it secret because it contradicts his duty as heir; he believes his personal desires are irrelevant to his role. He only reveals it to Arthur after Arthur pushes him to admit what he truly wants.

3. How do the Lancelot letters change Gabriel's approach to kingship?

The letters, which appear to be from Lancelot to King Arthur, reveal a romantic relationship between the legendary figures. Gabriel initially fears they will cause chaos and accusations of forgery. But after his father's death, he decides to release them publicly, using them as a foundation for a more honest and inclusive rule. They inspire him to be true to himself and to England, rather than emulating his father's cautious neutrality.

4. What role does Gabriel play in the coup and its aftermath?

Gabriel joins the defense against Lord Willard's coup, fighting in the battle and losing his left arm. He survives, and after his father is killed, he becomes king. In the aftermath, he chooses leniency for the prisoners, scattering them across England rather than executing them, and he begins implementing his educational reforms.

5. How does Gabriel's relationship with Arthur evolve over the course of the novel?

It begins with awkward encounters and a secret kiss that Gabriel immediately rejects. Arthur challenges Gabriel's self-denial, and they have several confrontations. After the coup and Gabriel's injury, they reconcile, and Gabriel admits his feelings. They take things slowly, but by the end, they are together, with Arthur planning to join Gabriel at Tintagel. Their relationship is a testament to the possibility of personal happiness within a life of duty.

For a deeper look at how Gabriel's choices shape the ending, see the ending explained page, or explore common questions about the book.