Orlando Oxford

Lore & Background

Orlando's journey begins in 1902 when Emily dies, leaving him with a solemn promise regarding their son Conrad. Twelve years later, Orlando has formed a private spy network with his servants, Shola and Polly Wilkins, serving the world's most powerful dignitaries. When Conrad insists on joining the British Army, Orlando forbids it, even persuading Secretary of State Lord Kitchener to deny the request. The narrative shifts when Conrad inadvertently saves Archduke Franz Ferdinand from a bomb thrown by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, only for the Archduke and his wife Sophie to be fatally shot later that day by Princip, igniting World War I.

In Their Own Story

Orlando uncovers that the assassination was orchestrated by 'The Flock,' led by the mysterious 'Shepherd' who aims for Scottish independence. He confronts Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin, traveling to Russia with Shola, Polly, and Conrad to kill him after Rasputin manipulates Tsar Nicholas into pulling out of the war following the poisoning of his son Alexei. The group kills Rasputin at a Christmas party hosted by Prince Felix Yusupov. Later, Orlando learns that Major Max Morton, the Shepherd, faked his own death and orchestrated Kitchener's demise via the sinking of HMS Hampshire. After Conrad is killed while disguised as Scottish soldier Archie Reid on a mission to retrieve proof of the Zimmermann Telegram, Orlando tracks down Morton at his mountaintop sanctuary. With Shola's help, Orlando kills Morton and recovers the blackmail film used against President Woodrow Wilson, delivering it so Wilson can bring the United States into the war.

Reader's Guide

In the aftermath of World War I, Orlando purchases the Kingsman Tailor Shop as a front for his organization. He forms the original Kingsman agency alongside Shola, Polly, King George V, Archie Reid's brother (implied by context of honoring Conrad), and the US Ambassador to the UK. Each member is assigned a codename from the King Arthur legend to honor Conrad. The mid-credit scene reveals that Erik Jan Hanussen assumes command of Shepherd's organization and introduces Lenin to Adolf Hitler, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Did You Know?

• Orlando Oxford was portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who also serves as an executive producer.
• Before the war started, Orlando successfully persuaded Lord Kitchener not to let his son Conrad join the British Army.
• The character's personal tragedy begins in 1902 when a sniper attack at a South African concentration camp mortally wounds his wife, Emily.
• Orlando kills the film's antagonist, Morton (the Shepherd), with the help of his servant Shola at a mountaintop sanctuary.
• The original Kingsman agency was formed by Orlando, King George V, and others, each assigned a codename from the King Arthur legend to honor Conrad.