The Duke (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Kempton's barrister Jeremy Hutchinson argued that he never intended to permanently deprive the National Gallery of the painting, he only borrowed it temporarily to advance his campaign for free TV licenses for pensioners. The jury accepted this argument and acquitted him of stealing the portrait itself. However, Jackie had misplaced the £80 frame during the theft, so Kempton was convicted of stealing the frame.

Foreshadowing: Earlier ransom notes showed Kempton always intended to return the painting in exchange for policy changes.

• frame
• theft charges
• acquitted
• jury verdict
• barrister
• hutchinson

Jackie, Kempton's son, was the actual thief. He stole the painting from the National Gallery while his father was in London campaigning. Kempton took the blame to protect Jackie, and only admitted the truth during the trial when Jackie confessed to their mother Dorothy.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows the painting was stolen upon Kempton's return from London, and Jackie was present when they hid it in the wardrobe.

• jackie
• kempton
• son
• thief
• true thief
• confession

Kempton believed it was unjust that pensioners, many of whom lived in poverty, should have to pay for a TV license when television was their primary source of company and entertainment. Despite being able to afford one, he refused on principle and served 13 days in prison for watching TV without a license to highlight his cause.

Foreshadowing: His campaign for pensioners and his self-described role as a champion of the common man establish his principled stance.

• tv license
• pensioners
• campaign
• principle
• prison

The frame was never recovered. Jackie had accidentally lost it during the theft, and despite extensive searches, it remained missing. This is why Kempton was ultimately convicted of stealing just the frame, valued at £80.

Foreshadowing: Jackie's nervous handling of the painting during the theft hints at his clumsiness with the frame.

• frame
• lost
• missing
• never recovered

Kempton was fired for two reasons: he was overly talkative with passengers, and he gave a free ride to a destitute disabled veteran of the First World War. His employers considered both actions inappropriate, though the free ride reflected his compassionate nature.

Foreshadowing: His character is established early as someone who prioritizes helping others over profit.

• taxi
• job
• fired
• veteran
• charitable

Kempton wanted to force the government to provide free television licenses for elderly pensioners. He saw TV as essential for lonely elderly people and believed they shouldn't have to pay for it. The painting theft was a strategic act to draw media attention and parliamentary focus to his campaign.

Foreshadowing: His earlier imprisonment for refusing to pay his own license shows his escalating tactics.

• motivation
• campaign
• pensioners
• tv license
• protest
• goya

Yes, Kempton served two prison sentences. He first spent 13 days in Durham prison for watching television without a license as a protest. After the trial, he also received a sentence for stealing the £80 frame, though the exact length isn't specified in the film.

Foreshadowing: His willingness to face legal consequences for his beliefs is established from the start.

• prison
• imprisonment
• sentence
• Durham

Four years after the trial, Jackie went to the police to clear his conscience and admit he was the true thief. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to charge him, reasoning that another public case would be harmful to Kempton, who had already suffered enough publicity.

Foreshadowing: Jackie's guilt is hinted at during the trial when he struggles with the truth.

• jackie
• confession
• police
• years later
• conscience

The film ends with the achievement of part of Kempton's goal: in 2000, TV licenses became free for people over 75. However, this policy was rescinded in August 2020, shortly before the film's premiere, adding a bittersweet note to the victory.

Foreshadowing: The ransom notes specifically demanded free TV licenses for the elderly.

• tv license
• free
• pensioners
• policy
• 75
• outcome

The authorities chose not to pursue charges against Jackie out of concern for Kempton. They strike a deal: if Jackie remains silent about his confession, he won't be prosecuted. The DPP wanted to avoid subjecting Kempton to another public spectacle and legal battle.

Foreshadowing: The family's healing after the trial made the authorities reluctant to disrupt their peace.

• police
• prosecution
• no charges
• jackie
• dpp

After Kenny and Pammy discovered the painting's hiding place and Pammy demanded half the £5,000 reward, Kempton panicked and decided to end his plan. Rather than risk the painting being discovered or sold, he walked into the National Gallery to return it and confessed to the theft.

Foreshadowing: The arrival of Kenny and Pammy creates the crisis that forces Kempton's hand.

• return painting
• national gallery
• confession
• panic
• kenny
• pammy

Marion was Kempton and Dorothy's daughter who died at age 18 in a biking accident. Her death deeply affected the family, particularly Jackie who blames himself. The grief over Marion brings Kempton and Dorothy closer in the film's climax as they finally confront their shared loss.

Foreshadowing: Jackie's guilt and the visit to Marion's grave early in the film establish this emotional weight.

• marion
• daughter
• death
• accident
• grief
• family