Peter Karl Christoph von Keith

Although born in Farther Pomerania, Keith was ethnically Scottish as his family had come to Pomerania via Sweden, Keith was introduced to Crown Prince Frederick during his time as a page to Frederick William, and by age 17 quickly became close with him due to a mutual fear of the king who cultivated an ideal of ultramasculinity in his court, and derided his son's supposedly "effeminate tendencies" such as making music with the transverse flute.

[1] Frederick's sister Wilhelmine wrote in her memoirs about the isolation of her brother, who received military training and was strictly forbidden from engaging in music, reading, science or the arts: But this desolation in which he lived led him to indulge in debauchery.

After the failed escape, Frederick warned him with a note that said: “Sauvez Vous – Tout est decouvert” (Get yourself to safety – everything is revealed).

From there, at the suggestion of King George II, who wanted to prevent an expected extradition request from his unloved brother-in-law Frederick William, he went with Admiral Norris to Portugal, where he became a major in the cavalry.

[4][5] Hans Hermann von Katte, who had succeeded Keith as an intimate friend and confidant of the crown prince, was beheaded on November 6, 1730 in the Küstrin Fortress in front of Frederick for his help in the escape attempt.

Frederick rejected a later suggestion from the English court to send Keith as an envoy to London, arguing that he was too inexperienced diplomatically.