The Maharajah Duleep Singh
The Maharajah Duleep Singh
It was 1880 and a new boy started at Eton half way through the school year. Prince Victor was the son of His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh. He was enrolled in Manor House (A.C. James) and was in the same year as the young boy who would later become the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.
Duleep Singh had been crowned Maharajah at the age of six but since then the Punjab had been annexed by the British and, as a result, in 1849 under the third Treaty of Lahore, both the young Maharajah and the Koh-i-Noor diamond were sent to England.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert entertained the young Maharajah and his party at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight and she quickly became very fond of her new guests. She was swift to insist on good behaviour from her courtiers: “With regard to the Young Maharajah. The Queen wishes to observe to Lord Aberdeen that he should be treated as a Prince in whom the Queen took an interest and we accordingly treated him just as we do all Princes…”
Throughout the later decades of her reign, Queen Victoria thoroughly enjoyed his company and in later years included him and his family in both her private and public life. She wrote after one visit, “I take quite a maternal interest in him.” She also paid time and attention to the young Maharajah’s education. A tour around England was organized to inspire the young Maharajah to settle down to an English country life and it was repeated to the Queen that he was “one of the most charming young men.” Queen Victoria wrote that he “sat next to me at a dinner dressed in his beautiful clothes and wonderful pearls and emeralds.” He was also a favourite with Prince Albert as well as the royal children.
After his marriage in 1864, he was delighted to welcome his new born son into the world in 1867 and to present him to to Queen Victoria who wanted to organise the christening “I have never beheld a lovelier child… I named him Victor Albert... the Dean of Windsor performed the service...”
Born just a few weeks apart, Prince Victor and the young boy from Highclere who would go on to spend much of his life in Egypt soon become firm friends. They equally and consistently performed towards the bottom of most subject classes and both were also slightly different from the consensus of pupils at Eton by reason of health or background. They also both would both take every opportunity to slip away to various racecourses.
Prince Victor’s father, however, soon found himself in ever increasingly perilous financial circumstances. The funds to support his family were always a source of political debate and in due course he had no choice but to put up for sale his home, the magnificent Elveden Hall which Queen Victoria had encouraged him to buy. Over time all the contents were also sold.
In India the Sikhs cherished the memory of the Lion of the Punjab and thought the treatment of his son who had been transported and transposed to England did not esteem their long history and culture. The Punjab was an important province of the Sikh Empire, and its annexation by the British was a major blow to the Sikhs.
However, the family was in England but gained from the interest and protection of Queen Victoria. The 5th Earl and Prince Victor as well as their respective siblings remained firm friends throughout their lives, the Earl even franking his friend’s life at various points. Throughout their lives they travelled together, enjoyed the famous shooting weekends at Highclere as well spending Christmas with one another.
The 5th Earl offered travel, houses and friendship to Prince Victor in various times of need especially after the early death of The Maharajah Duleep Singh in 1893. In turn, Prince Victor was the 5th Earl’s best man and, in due course, godfather to his first son, Henry George Alfred Marius Victor Francis, born on November 7th. 1899. The other godparents were Mr. Alfred de Rothschild, Mrs. (Marie) Wombwell, Lord (Francis) Ashburton and the baby’s aunt, Lady Burghclere.
This was such a fascinating world to write and research for the book, “The Earl & The Pharaoh”. So many remarkable people, such extraordinary stories and a part of the Earl’s life which I never expected to find. Prejudices and censure obviously just simply did not play a part in the 5th Earl’s life. Instead, it was about kindness and curiosity and of course Tutankhamen in the fictional time of Downton Abbey.
- Christmas
- Community
- Dogs & Horses
- Egypt & Tutankhamun
- Entertaining
- Farm
- Filming
- Gardens
- History & Heritage
- Daily Life
- Royalty
- Cooking
- Interiors
- Heroes
- Architecture
- Cars
- Conservation
- Downton Abbey
- Events
- Gardens & Landscape
- Highclere Castle Gin
- History
- Planes
- Restoration
- Stories & Books
- Uncategorized
- Visitors
- Wildlife
47 Comments
Lady Carnarvon,
Another interesting story about the Earl and Prince Victor! Thank you for introducing your followers to history we otherwise might not know, even if they weren’t scholars! I enjoy your Monday morning posts so much.
Martha
Lovely the picture of the maharaja Duleep sigh and did you and lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend l would love to visit highcelere castle and lam fan of Downton Abbey
Thank you Martha.
We look forward to seeing you another day perhaps.
Hello Lady Carnarvan!
What a wonderful story to start off the day. The history of India is largely unknown to me so I appreciate learning a bit more. I was struck by one of the names you mentioned, Lord Ashburton. My former house in Virginia was located on a street called Ashburton avenue. It never fails to amaze me how many streets, towns and counties here in America have English, Scottish or Irish names.
On a side note, my most recent copy of Victoria magazine has arrived. And you are featured in it ! Very nice article with fabulous pictures.
Cynthia
Lady Carnarvon,
Love your site, alway learn something new. So very interesting.
Thank you
fondly Jenny
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I do appreciate your Monday musings! My ancestral homes are Scotland (Dad's side) and England/Wales (Mama's). I have visited many times - my family has come full circle now as my youngest granddaughter was born in Inverness. She is happily growing up in the Scottish Highlands.
Would love to visit Highclere one day.
Especially thank you for this fascinating part of your history there. I know so little of India and this offers good insights.
All the best from Florida,
Sandra
Dear Lady Canarvan, a remarkable story of your family.
I am very much looking forward to coming to Highclere next Sunday 27.8.2023. For the second time
Until then, all the best wishes Alexandra Dobler
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A very interesting article. I do have a favour to ask. Can you explain what is meant by franking? It is a new word for me. Thank you. Take care
Susan
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thanks very much for another great blog today. I cannot find an explanation of the term "franking" as you use it in this sentence. Could you please clarify?
"the Earl even franking his friend’s life"
What a great article. Thank you!
Lady Canarvon............It is interesting, we meet different people while in a school setting.
It sounds like the 5th Earl and the Maharahah were very close friends.
In the end that is what matters.
Thank you again for the wonderful story.
Love the history, enjoyed the write up. Very interesting, looking forward to reading more.
Thanks
Barb
Lady Carnarvon,
My wife and I visited your home Highclere Castle this past May and in due course were given your “The Earl and the Pharaoh” book. Upon reading, I became immersed in that world of the 5th Earl and early 20th century England. I subsequently have bought your Almina and Catharine books, exploring more deeply the Highclere, Newbury, and London’s Mayfair stories of those years. As an American, I’m hooked on the lives of these people and their era. Please continue your wonderful writing.
Were you able to identify the 5 gentlemen in the top photo (in front of Highclere Castle?) or the 6 gentlemen and 3 ladies in the bottom photo posed before the fence?
I also struggled to make out the names on the ledger page marked December 11, and only succeeded in the first ("his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales") and the last ("Lord Carnarvon"). The others might include 4 "Lords", a "Sir", and a "Mistress". Old photos are fascinating; a frozen moment in the past....
Dear Lady Carnarvon: I always look so forward to your e-mail's every Monday. You have a great talent for wording events and I've read many of your books. Please keep up the good work.
I suspect it is one of my family expressions meaning to support freely - frank means free - or to pay in advance - I think my father used to see he would "frank" something for me - ie pay for it!!
Top photo left to right Lord Ashburton, Lord Carnarvon Prince Frederick Duleep Singh Prince Victor Duleep Singh and Mr Rutherford
Will add more later! rushing to meeting
Prince Frederick Duleep Singh Prince Victor Duleep Singh Lord Carnarvon at back - Almina to the front right
I think front left is Princess Anne
Captions for the group photos, indicating who is who, would have been nice.
It is completely fascinating
Thank you!
I would love to visit India
See you then!
Thank you so much - may I recommend Lady Catherine!????
I have explained my best guesses in the comments..
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I loved reading the history of Maharajah Duleep Singh and Son.
Living on Isle of Wight and having worked at Osborne House around 15 years ago, the picture of Duleep Singh and Queen Victoria's obvious love of her position as Empress of India. Are a key area of Osborne , and her building of The Durbar Room, just enhances the Indian influence.
Thank you again, Bill Callow
Lady Carnarvon,
Hope you and the Earl are well.
I am always amazed at all the layers of clothing being worn in these photos!
And the changes of clothes throughout the day, depending on the occasion.
Thank you for another peek into history!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
This is such an interesting entry to your blog! I’ve recently completed reading “The Earl and the Pharoah” and appreciate the research you did in writing the book and all of the detail that tells the story! What an amazing time in history. Even more interesting that Lord Carnovan made the discovery himself and that the world relates it back to Highclere through the love of Downton Abbey and your home. Several years ago my husband, daughter and I came to Highclere for a tour and tea. We loved it and hope to visit again. We met you personally at the house, tea and gift shop. You were so kind and friendly. Thank you so much for your hospitality and wonderful memory.
Greetings from New Zealand!
I found this article so very interesting like everyone else who has read it today. What a wonderful friendship these two men had.
I really appreciate the time you take to write and research these articles Lady Carnarvon, so thank you from us all. History is such a fascinating subject.
All being well I hope to visit Highclere next year. A delayed visit due to Covid but better late than never.
Kind Regards.
Lois Richards
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
GOOD MORNING FROM BRAZIL,
YOUR BOOK, "THE EARL AND THE PHARAOH " IS COMPLETELY
FASCINATING. OH LÁ LÁ, THE DIAMOND KOH -I- NOOR, ABSOLUTILY STUNNING.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS LOVELY HISTORY.
VILLA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO-SP
BRAZIL
Such an fascinating story, I remember Prince Victor Duleep Singh being mentioned in your book Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, so it was interesting to learn more about his background and early life. I bought the book when I visited Highclere a few years ago, it was a lovely day out, and wondeful to see your beautiful home.
Thank you Bill
Thank you Susan. Hope to see you perhaps again.
Thank you!
I’m reading your Monday blog on Tuesday since I was rushing around yesterday. What a gifted writer you are and I felt transported into the lives of those you write about! Thank you for sharing such a rich history with us! It’s a dream and bucket list item to visit your lovely home as well!
Fondly,
Denise
Sorry about the mis-spelling. I was typing on the fly on my iPad and realized later that I had Catherine’s name wrong.
Thank you for your additional insights into the friendship between the Prince and the 5th Earl. I enjoyed reading about their lives in “The Earl and the Pharaoh”. It has always seemed to me like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were ahead of their time is so many ways and Lord Carnarvon definitely was.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for Monday's blog about the life-long friendship between the Fifth Earl and Prince Victor. If only everyone could develop and retain such kind and thoughtful relationship.
You have a keen way of introducing some of your readers to people and places we have no knowledge of, but now have a gateway to learn and read more.
Until next week, I wish you continued success in your research and writings.
Perpetua Crawford
Fascinating bit of British history and so wonderfully told! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to many more.
Thank you Karen
Where are you getting Victoria magazine? I thought it quit publishing years ago. Nora Huber Columbus,Ohio
I love all of your books, especially the one about Lady Almina.
Thank you Linda
It is still thriving!
https://victoriamag.com/?s=highclere
I have never been so Swept Away than by reading the book of Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey. So well written and could not wait to read the next page. Thank you so much for the history and this entertaining and remarkable story of a lost time.
thank you
A truly fascinating history. Such an interesting time for the families. I enjoyed reading about it all.
My best wishes
Sandria