The playful sibling dynamic between the Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur is enviable. The royal siblings returned to Singapore in November (they were in town earlier in the year as well to shoot a cover story for Vogue India) specially for a Diwali celebration with Cartier. The Parisian jeweller, no stranger to the charms of a fabulous evening, held a party in partnership with the Valiram Group at Jiak Kim House to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Diya candles, candy, fabulous outfits, pomp, pageantry and festive cheer—these, Singh told Vogue Singapore, are some of the things to look forward to when celebrating Diwali in Jaipur. It is ultimately family, though, that’s dearest. “I’m particularly excited this year because our brother is going to be there after many years of not being able to make it home for Diwali,” Kumari shared.
The young royals are a jet-setting bunch, whose duties and lives as cultural ambassadors for the Pink City take them all around the world. Their time in Singapore, in fact, was short and sweet. The Maharaja, a polo player, landed in Singapore the day of the celebration, and was on a plane by night headed for New Delhi to make it for the Indian Masters Polo Championship.
Nevertheless, Singh and Kumari gave Vogue Singapore an inside look at how they get ready for grand evenings—with all the attendant responsibilities that come with representing Jaipur. As they did at their first Met Gala in May, Singh and Kumari let details do the talking. The Maharaja’s evening signature is a bandhgala suit, a formal tailored style that originates from the state of Rajasthan. His choice of a pocket square was a design by his sister’s brand The Palace Atelier, which features the five colours of the Pachranga flag of Jaipur. The Princess, meanwhile, opted for an elegant white saree gown decorated with chikankari, a traditional Indian hand-embroidered style.
Jewellery is, of course, the non-negotiable finishing touch to how Singh and Kumari get ready. The Jaipur royals have nurtured a fine friendship with Cartier, which dressed them for Diwali in suites of its most emblematic jewels. Bold Panthère de Cartier pocket gem, cufflinks, and statement ring gave Singh’s green velvet suit a regal presence. Kumari, meanwhile, finished her look with cascades of diamonds: a high jewellery necklace set with an emerald, flowing Lignes Essentielles earrings, and a Reflection de Cartier ring.
The relationship between Cartier and Indian royalty is no new thing, of course. In the early 20th century, the maison, run by three Cartier brothers, split the globe. Eldest brother Louis held the ground in Paris, middle brother Pierre made a home in New York, and youngest brother Jacques set up in London and made the visionary decision to venture into India. Jacques so charmed India’s aristocrats and royals that the country’s arts and culture even began to feed back and influence Cartier design—the tutti frutti style of carved leaves and berries in vibrant coloured gemstones, for instance.
The magic of a fruitful relationship is easy to understand, and easier yet to savour. “Every time I’ve worn Cartier I’ve felt very special,” said Kumari of the house’s creations. The maison’s heritage, craftsmanship and distinct style finds a connection, unsurprisingly, to Kumari’s own work with the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation that aims to empower girls and women in Rajasthan; and to The Palace Atelier, the brand she founded at the City Palace of Jaipur that connects Indian design, culture and craft both past and present.
In addition to jewels, Kumari counts hydration, sleep and a great playlist as her getting ready must-haves. For Singh, it’s as simple as food. “I always like to eat something before I go out—I’m not a very good social eater,” he admitted with a laugh when asked about his rituals. A spritz of cologne too, he said, but there is one more style detail that imparts confidence. The Maharaja wears his bandhgala jackets with jewelled buttons made by his grandmother—a chic way to wear family dear and close.
Photography Hans Goh
Producer David Bay
Stylist Rahul Vijay
Make-up for His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh Peter Khor
Hair for His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh Rick Yang
Make-up for Princess Gauravi Kumari Victoria Hwang
Hair for Princess Gauravi Kumari Carolyn Lee/Rorrimu, using Goldwell
Photographer’s assistants Anna-Lisa Tan and May Chong Xue Ning
Editorial assistants Agnes Shu, Alexis Teo, and Dawn Zheng
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