By the time the sun sets over the fabled "pink city" of Jaipur on Wednesday, India will have a new king. The heir to the once independent Rajasthani city and its desert dominions will have succeeded to his throne – and to his heritage of lawsuits, snobbery and palace intrigues – at the age of 13.
Maharaja Padmanabh Singh's title is not recognised by law since such feudal remnants were swept away by legislation in the early 1970s, but it still inspires respect in this deeply hierarchical country where the aristocracy is venerated despite rapid social change.
However, pending a court decision, the young royal's wealth and power will be somewhat less magnificent than that of his illustrious predecessors who invited British royalty on tiger hunts.
The estimated £400m family fortune is tied up in lawsuits and the teenage ruler will only be able to control the city palace – though its 30 acres, thousands of rooms, suites, courtyards, museum and elephant stables will bring in ample income. More...
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