While royal privileges are no longer recognised in the country, he is estimated to have inherited a fortune of between $697 million and $2.8 billion.
Among India’s most eligible bachelors is one with royal blood: Padmanabh Singh, grandson of the ‘last maharaja of Jaipur’. More fondly known as Pacho, he is regarded as king of the Pink City, though not by law since India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic nation. Nevertheless, the title “still inspires respect in this deeply hierarchical country”, according to The Guardian.
He ascended to the throne at the meagre age of 12 after his grandfather Sawai Man Singhji Bahadur passed away. His mother, Princess Diya Kumari, was the late maharaja’s only child and since her ex-husband was seen as a commoner, Pacho – the 303rd descendant of Jaipur’s royal family – was rightfully made king.
While royal privileges are no longer recognised in the country, he is estimated to have inherited a fortune of between $697 million and $2.8 billion.
Despite the fact, he told The Week magazine, “We are in a democracy now, and I cannot let my background go to my head…At the moment, I am focusing on my life, but I want to create Jaipur as a destination, host a lot of people and popularize Rajasthan’s art and culture.”
What does this mean for the young monarch? Trust Instagram to give us a rough idea.
There’s no mistaking the 20-year-old’s greatest passion at the moment: polo. He serves as captain for the first Indian polo team in England in 20 years and is the youngest player to win the Indian Open Polo Cup. In fact, he’s the youngest player ever to join a World Cup polo team. His undeniable talent for the sport earned him a place in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2018 list.
Naturally, much of his Instagram is filled with photos of him in his best element. His second best, then, would involve fashion. When not dressed in polo attire or traditional royal clothing, he seems to prefer the gentleman’s attire of a button-down shirt and tailored pants…or the good ol’ plain white T.
Being the gentleman he is, he once escorted Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Ava Philippe to the charity Bal des Debutantes in 2017.
For its 10th anniversary issue, GQ India named him the Most Stylish in the magazine’s Men of the Year Awards, branding him “an icon to fans and followers, with his understated yet classic style”.
He also attends Fashion Week, once even walking the runway, specifically Dolce & Gabbana’s SS19 show in Milan last year.
Speaking of Milan, he’s confessed to having a soft spot for Italy after spending some time there to study art in a private university. “With all its old buildings and grand architecture, it always feels like home,” he said to The Week.
Besides Italy, he’s also travelled to South Africa…
…New York…
View this post on Instagram
…Portugal…
…and The Lost City of Machu Pichu, to name a few.
Even with all the above taking up his schedule, he doesn’t forget his duty to his beloved city and state. Whether legally king or not, royal rituals, cultural celebrations and charity events still make up an important part of his life.
View this post on Instagram
HOLI ‘18 📷 @paulinevonhardenberg @benediktloebell @lodoclick @nitinaroraphotography
After all, home will always be where the heart is…
…(especially when home is the City Palace of Jaipur)…
…(or a private apartment like Sujan Rajmahal Palace).
View this post on Instagram
Thank you @greg.foster @archdigestindia @thepalacecollectionofficial @sujanluxury @ashishsahi !
And what is home if not for the people who make it so? As he puts it himself, there’s “nothing like family”.
Follow the ‘king’ of Jaipur on Instagram @pachojaipur for more updates.