Politician, Beauty, and Royalty

Politician, Beauty, and Royalty, who the hell has that? Other than Queen Rania of Jordan, no no lets try something more Indian. Heard of Gayatri Devi? By some accounts she may have been a goddess on earth. 

Maharani Gayatri Devi, was born the daughter of Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, West Bengal and Princess Indira Raje of Baroda, the only daughter of Maratha King, in 1919. Lucky little Gayatri Devi studied at Glendower Preparatory School in London, Patha Bhavana of Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, and later in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she travelled with her mother and siblings, then studied secretarial skills in London School of Secretaries; Brilliantmont and Monkey Club London. But who really cares of her upbringing? Lets skip that! 

In 1940, Gayatri married Sawai Man Singh II, Maharaja (King) of Jaipur, giving her the title of Maharani (Queen). And from then on starts her legend. Beautiful without comparison (once being listed as one of the ten most beautiful women in the world by vogue). She later became a legendary socialite, a particularly avid equestrienne! Lets say she pretty cool, even having a interest in cars, importing the first W126, a 500 SEL to India. 

But the fancy life aside, she did lead a political role. Gayatri Devi started schools for girls' education in Jaipur, most prominent of which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School established in 1943, how’s that for a change? After Partition and Independence Day in India in 1947, Gayatri Devi ran for Parliament in 1962 and won the constituency in the Lok Sabha in the world's largest landslide, winning 192,909 votes out of 246,516 cast! Well done your majesty, well done! She continued to hold this seat on 1967 and 1971.

But here’s the bad news, Booooooo. When the privy purses were abolished in 1971, terminating all royal privileges and titles, Gayatri Devi was accused of violating tax laws, and served 5 months in Tihar Jail. She retired from politics and published her autobiography, A Princess Remembers, written with Santha Rama Rau, in 1976. She was also the focus of the film Memoirs of a Hindu Princess, directed by Francois Levie.

After all that, she died in 2009, July 29th, at the age of 90.

Other Images

The Undead Lover

Thanks to my friend Richard, for sending me this story, and giving me rights to use it. 

Have you heard of Gaspard Robilette? After watching a small segment about him, on the history channel a few days ago, I knew I had to share this chilling tale. I added more details and more description to make it more interesting to read, but the story is a true, remove the decorative elements, you have the original story. Happy Halloween Everyone!

The year was 1613, the cold air and gentle snow had settled over Paris, when a young bachelor name Gaspard Robilette, was stumbling home after a night a fun and pleasure. The noisy city was clam and still, the only signs of movement were shadows casted by the full moon’s light, which seemed to dance around the dimly lit streets. All of Paris was sleeping when Gaspard returned to his home, all of Paris it seems except a hooded figure. Covered in a black cloak and hood, there stood the figure, waiting outside his door. Young Gaspard proceeded cautiously, and too his surprise the hooded figure was a beautiful young woman. With luscious lips, with dazzling eyes, and a complexion to rival the moon, he was enchanted with her, and proceeded to ask this lady why she was standing there so late. In sensual voice, she replied, she was returning home, her servant had gone to get the carriage.

Gallant, and chivalrous, Gaspard invited the beauty inside, so she can wait in warmth. Once inside his home, they soon ended up dining, with few drinks at hand. Gaspard continued to be enchanted with his this beauty, and for her part, she never mentioned again about her servant, or the carriage, never touching her food…only sipping her wine. Poor boy, so infatuated with this mysterious, exquisite flower, never bothered to notice that she never mentioned it again, nor did he even inquire where she was coming from, or who she really was. As the wax melted away and the flames reduced to a glow, the couple found each other in bed, spending the rest of night in pleasure.

The gentle sun light flittered through the windows of his bedroom the next morning, waking him up. He didn’t even look at his guest who lay next to him, and went off to grab a treat to nibble on. As he walked, his step seemed to have a spring in it, his joyful state no doubt because of his night before. He soon realized the servants would be here soon, as well as his neighbors would soon wake, so he went back to his room, to awaken his guest. Gently addressing her as “my lady” he called out her, walking around the four poster bed. She didn’t respond, so he pulled the curtains aside, moving into the bed to wake her. Eyes filled with fear, his heart pounding, Gaspard stumbled backwards, falling to the floor, unable to understand what happened. He found his strength, and pulled himself up to look again, in his bed lay no beauty, but a rotting corpse. Decaying and disgusting, the body of the girl laid there, shocking Gaspard. In a fit of terror he summoned doctors and a policeman, who when arrived were equally shocked. The Doctor, after studying her, came the conclusion she had been dead for over two weeks, and the police, confirmed by the robe marks around her neck, said she has died two weeks ago, by hanging. Before their eyes, the body slowly started to smoke, and within seconds, disintegrated. The Policeman later wrote of it the events, but the original document has gone missing, or is locked in the archives. 

Thanks Richard!

Hôtel de Soubise

Hôtel de Soubise, located at 60, rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris

The Hôtel de Soubise is a lavish, magnificent 18th century mansion in Paris. It’s a celebrated image of the 18th century high art, architecture, and taste, representing the glory and rank in which its residents lived. The term Hôtel, or better Hôtel particulier, is an urban “private house” or a grand, or structure of a mansion like appearance. This townhouse has its origins in the 14th century, original a structure belonging to the knights templar, which was then bought and built into a semi-fortified manor house, named Grand-Chantier. The Grand-Chantier was built in 1375, by Olivier de Clisson. It later fell into the hands of the Duc de Guise, and was renamed Hôtel de Guise. It continued to be the Paris residence of the Ducs de Guise until 1675, when the heir to the Guise line, Marie de Lorraine inherited it. After her death, she left her trustee’s to maintain the house, and by 1700, it was sold to François, Prince of Soubise.

The new owners François, Prince of Soubise, and his wife Anne de Rohan-Chabot Princesse de Soubise, were from a lavish background, their family name going back centuries. The Rohans were one of the most established nobles, always part of court, important, and vastly wealthy. Anne served at the court of Versailles, a possible mistress of the sun king, Louis XIV, and lady in waiting to Queen Marie Thérèse. With her supposed affair with the king...and a son born in 1674…who looked incredibly similar to the king, the Prince de Soubise income rose quickly. (Rumors said Anne’s love to the king, and then the King’s gifts to her husband, lead to the buying and the construction of the new Hôtel). The son of François and Anne, Hercule Mériadec, Prince of Soubise, upgraded the interiors of the hotel. The Hôtel de Soubise developed as a hot spot in Paris, popular for its events, and its stunning interiors. Interiors done by Germain Boffrand, were acclaimed to be some of the highest points of Rococo style and fashion!

The most amazing thing about Soubise is, unlike many other townhouses and country homes, Soubise remained intact as it was created in the 18th century! We are blessed it remains untouched, giving us some of the most splendid views of Rococo Art and Architecture in 18th century France.  During the Revolution, the Rohans, (because of their high rank, and attachment to the court, lost many members of their house to the guillotine) were forced to flee France, fleeing to Austria where they lived ever since. By a Napoleonic decree of 1808, this residence has become the property of the State. Nowadays it hosts the Musée de l'Histoire de France (Museum of French History) and a part of the French National Archives.

The Interiors are by Germain Boffrand, who created them around 1735-1740. The Building itself is built in a typical Parisian Hotel style, the building was built opening into an inner courtyard and garden, surrounded by wings and a gate to onside. The building, classically imposing on the outside was every bit rococo and playful on the inside, figures covered in gold and silver dancing around the rooms, the finest boiserie lining the walls with the richest damask available, covering other walls. The painters inside are among the highest, most respect in the whole 18th century era, François Boucher, Charles-Joseph Natoire, and Carle Van Loo.

Thanks for Reading! - AC 

The Indian Wallis Simpson

Have you heard of Sita Devi of Baroda? No? Wow that’s shocking! Well not really, many haven’t heard of her. Go back 50 years, she was one of the most celebrated jet setters, deeply imbedded in scandals, and every inch one of the most glamorous of Indian royal women. Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was wife of Pratap Singh Gaekwar of Baroda, who was in the 1930s-40s, considered the 8th richest man in the world, and the 2nd richest prince in india. The Maharani Sita Devi Sahib of Baroda was born on May 12, 1917 in Madras, India, daughter of Sri Raja Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Surya Rau Bahadur Garu and his wife Sri Rani Chinnamamba Devi of Mirzapuram.

The Maharani, every inch glamerious, was also every inch scandalous. She was originally married to Apparao Bahadur, Zamindar of Vayyur, whom she had three children by. After she met her second husband, Pratap of Baroda, the Maharani, through legal action converted to Mohammedan, of a follower of Islamic prophet Muhammad. This would dissolve her marriage to the Zamindar under Indian law. She embraced Islam only to then adopt Hinduism once again. This caused much tension with the British autorties, and after a few pushes and tugs, the British accepted it, however they would never address the Maharani Sita Devi properly, neglecting her the traditional address of “Your Highness”.

The Maharaja and Maharani, lived in a life of sheer luxury, but India was on the path of being united into one country, and the royal couple feared the integration of the princely states into the Union threaten their extravagant way of life. So they set up to find a new home, the Principality of Monaco! They bought a mansion in Monte Carlo and the Maharani took up permanent residence. The Maharaja visited often, bringing some of the great treasures of Baroda to Monaco. The Maharani became the custodian of these treasures. The couple also made two trips to the United States after the war. They went on a spending spree, buying all types of luxurious items. It was widely reported they spent $10 million on one of those trips. This was much to the Indian government's chagrin. Indian officials audited the principality's finances. They concluded the Maharaja had taken several large interest-free loans from the Baroda treasury. They demanded it be returned. The prince complied by making several payments from his $8 million-a-year income.

In 1951, the Maharaja had to step down, due to fraud, and his son took over the title, and control.  Technically, the couple were not heads of state any longer, but they insisted on still being referred by their former titles.

In 1953 the Maharani sold a pair of bejeweiled anklets to Harry Winston. They had several large emeralds and diamonds. The jeweller set these stones into a spectacular necklace that was bought by the Duchess of Windsor. The Duchess wore this to a 1957 New York ball also attended by Sita Devi. When other guests were admiring the necklace. The Maharani was heard to exclaim that those jewels looked just as nice on her feet. The embarrassed Duchess returned the necklace to Winston. Catty Much? The Maharani was a car enthusiast and was reportedly very fond of her Mercedes W126, which was custom made for her by Mercedes-Benz. At the 1969 Ascot Gold Cup she invited guests to touch the 30-carat (6.0 g) sapphire on her right hand for good luck.  Esquire Magazine included Sita Devi and Princie on its list of "fun couples" for 1969. She was nicked name the Indian Wallis Simpson.

Despite her Divorce from the Maharaja in 1956, she held onto her title and lavish life. She was seen as one of the most celebrated guests from New York, to London, Paris, and all the hot spots between India and Europe. She maintained a Paris apartment as well. She continued to live in grand style, drinking Baron de Rothschild’s Bordeaux, rearranging her Louis XVI furniture and attending exclusive parties. When travelling she brought along a large wardrobe, reported to be a thousand saris, hundreds of paris of shoes and of course her jewelry. But her finances were eventually exhausted enough for her to secretly auction some of her beloved jewels in 1974.After the suicide of the apple of her eye, her son in 1985, the Maharani died four years later in 1989, of natural causes, although gossip claims of a broken heart for her son.

Being Married to the 8th richest man at the time wasn’t good enough? Well here is an insight to some of jewels she owned, as “custodian” of the Baroda Royal Jewels.
Four  celebrated pearl carpet, one or all four (the source’s aren’t clear) were sold to an Arab prince for $31 million.  A three-strand diamond necklace with the famous Pink Brazilian Star of the South 128.80-carat diamond. The English Dresden 78.53-carat (15.71 g) diamond. he princely couple also had custody of the Empress Eugenie and the yellow Moon of Baroda diamonds. Ah, these are only a tease of what they had!

The Star of the South inserted into the Royal Necklace

Magnificent Emerald Drop and Diamond Necklace and Ear Pendant

Luxury of War - L’Armures

If your going to be covered in blood, and your soldiers be mangled, you might as well do it in style. The concept of Armour is simple in Medieval Europe, it was a metal body suit, that protected the fighting man. Leave it to the Kings and their court to turn the safe and protective suit, into a suit to portray their glory and power, or basically, something over the top to parade around in. How would you do that? Simple, make sure it’s made with the best materials, decorated by the finest craftsmen, and embellish it from top to bottom. Here’s some examples of parade Armours. 

Armour of George Clifford, Third Earl of Cumberland, a gentleman of the court of Queen Elizabeth the I

Not Fancy enough you say?? Well then, To France!

Armour for Henry II, King of France

In the Armour of Henry II, you can see what it takes to please the king. Velvet, a prized fabric of those times, had to be the color of power, Red. The Armour itself, made of Steel, plated with Gold and silver. Don’t think that is fashy enough? Add a few imagery and symbols. The decoration includes, at the center of the breast, a Roman warrior receiving tribute of arms from two kneeling females and, on the shoulders, Apollo chasing the nymph Daphne (front) and Apollo with the slain monster Python (back). The crescent moon, one of the badges of Henry II. It think it’s loud and clear. 

Don’t forget the the rest of the Armour! It needs a shield and a helmet. Just the average accessories for war.

Shield of Henry II, King of France

Shield showing St. George and the Dragon. 

Italian 14th century helmet

Images are from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Enjoy!