Prince Ronal is a cousin of Prince Barin who is introduced to Flash Gordon in the November 13th 1938 installment of the comic strip. A man of noble integrity and great bravery, he is instantly attracted to Dale Arden but keeps his feelings to himself, although Princess Aura soon realizes the truth. Unlike the majority of characters in the early years of the comic strip whose unrequited desires fuel selfish acts of jealousy, Ronal accepts that Dale will never be his and suffers in silence. He helps to prevent the abduction of Barin's son, Prince Alan, by Ming's agents and subsequently joins Flash and his friends when they leave Arboria to explore Mongo's frozen north in Frigia. He and Dale are captured by the giants and on more than one occasion Ronal bravely takes on their leader, Brukka,