The modern Indan royals making a global impact

Luxury. Legend. Lineage. Legacy. All the qualities that Indian royalty have encompassed for centuries.
Although India's royal families no longer wield political power, their presence transcends thrones and titles. In the fields of philanthropy, art, politics and beyond, some blue-blooded figures continue to carry the grandeur of their lineage in contemporary times. Some often with a modern twist that has reshaped narratives of the culture they were born into.

The international allure of Indian royalty lies in its ability to embody both authenticity and adaptability. Where Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala celebrated Indian heritage through his flamboyant lifestyle on one side, moreover epitomised by the Patiala Necklace by Cartier, Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur's pastel chiffon sarees became a symbol of power for the modern woman on the other. 

The fashion supernovas 

Very rarely is the royal family of Jaipur spoken in isolation from the spectrum of Indian royalty. From Maharaja Sawai Man Singh to the erstwhile Rajmata, Maharani Gayatri Devi or the current titular Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, the family has continuously played a key role in giving the royal Indian prestige an international flair. Maharani Gayatri Devi's magnetic grace is often attributed in the way she carried off her pastel chiffon sarees with a string of pearls, a stark contrast in the norms of the royal dress code of her contemporaries. Her fashion sensibilities made her a global icon, before the term became commonplace. You can't blame her; inspired by her mother, Indra Devi, Maharani of Cooch Behar, she saw potential in endless yarns of soft, flowing French chiffon fabric that could easily take the feminine form as a saree. The chiffon sarees, however, were just the start; draped to perfection, she became a symbol of soft power. 

Her children, Princess Gauravi Kumari, Prince Lakshayraj Singh and the titular, His Royal Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh, have made an indomitable mark in the field of fashion and philanthropy. A professional polo player, entrepreneur, a connoisseur of art - HRH Sawai Padmanabh Singh wears many hats, or should we say turbans? But among them, the most popular one he chooses to wear is of a fashion icon. He ascended the throne at the tender age of 13. At 19, he had debuted for Italian luxury label, Dolce & Gabbana. In 2024, he became the brand ambassador for the US Polo Association, owing to his influence in the game. His sister, Princess Gauravi Kumari, a former HELLO! India cover star too, has shown immense grace front-lining many luxury fashion brands before starting her own enterprising journey. With Jimmy Choo and closer home with Kama Ayurveda, Princess Gauravi Kumari opened the PDKF Store, aiming to empower women through traditional Rajasthani craftsmanship. 

To live life king size

Where famous personalities embellish the bloodline of the Jaipur royal family, the Gaekwads of Gujarat carry their lineage with prestige. The Gaekwads' seat, the magnanimous Laxmi Vilas Palace in Baroda is an architectural marvel in scale in structure. At 187 rooms, it remains the largest private residence in the world. Together, His Royal Highness Samarjitsinh Gaekwad and his wife Radhikaraje Gaekwad recently opened their doors for a glimpse of the estate - replete with European and Indian influences that blend both cultures in perfect unison. 

When talking about royal Indian palaces, no mention of the Jodhpur royals would deem unfair. Few royals estates command as much awe as the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Headed by His Royal Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II, a part of the Umaid Bhawan Palace today operates as a luxury hotel under the Taj Group. To nobody's surprise, it draws travellers from across the globe to experience the grandeur of Rajputana hospitality. The rest still serves the purpose of housing the royal family as their residence. 

The Pataudi Palace, the erstwhile residence of the Pataudi family, even though not as grand in scale as its counterparts, had an understated sense of opulence, quite like the former owner, Saif Ali Khan himself. The Palace was designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell in the neocolonial style, as Iftikhar Ali Khan requested the palace to be designed in the style of the colonial-era mansions of Imperial Delhi and so Russell did with assistance from Karl Malte von Heinz, an Austrian architect. With about 150 rooms, including seven bedrooms, seven dressing rooms, seven billiard rooms, a large dining area, a darbar hall, an outdoor pool, a separate farming area, and many more multi-purpose rooms, this residence was home to many memories for Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, his family and his future generations. 

All in good sport 

Sporting legends like Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, better known as "Tiger" Pataudi don't need an introduction. A dashing cricket legend, not just for his sporting skills but also for his ability to lead the Indian Cricket team as the Captain. 

Perhaps a little lesser fact known to the public, but His Royal Highness Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad's contributions extend to the sporting field too, beyond his estate management. A former Ranji Trophy player for Baroda, he has balanced his royal responsibilities with his passion for cricket, to the extent of serving as the president of the Baroda Cricket Association as well. 

To inspire and envision

Maharani Gayatri Devi was more than just her chiffon sarees. Her grace was her superpower. The people's maharani had other priorities, beyond aesthetics though. She fostered a culture for education for women and for them to hold significant roles in politics. The former was achieved with the founding of the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' School in Jaipur in 1943, merging royal sophistication with social progress. In 1992, Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur founded the Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls’ Public School, demonstrating his commitment to empowering future generations through education too.

The bloodline of those in Jaipur's royal family although blue-blooded, have had a proven record of having endearing careers in politics, especially women. Maharani Gayatri Devi may have been at the helm of successful female politicians, those like Princess Diya Kumari continue to carry the weight of this legacy on her shoulders. The establishment of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF) during her tenure as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan from Sawai Madhopur, has boosted the status of women to skilled artisans. Princess Diya Kumari has sown the seed of women empowerment through her foundation; in fruition, it has given us the gift that keeps on giving. 

Beyond the palace halls 

Despite royal lineages, some royal families are truly set apart - not just in wealth or heritage, but in the way they use their platform to create an impact. It is certain that they aren't merely relics of the past, but vibrant figures in the present rewriting a whole new narrative. Where Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur had represented India on the diplomatic stage at the peak of his career, the Pataudi family through Saif and Soha Ali Khan, owing to their mother, veteran Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore are steeped in cinematic glamour. 

India's royals have championed in the fields of fashion, power and politics, and that's what makes them India's original influencers.