Exclusive: Inside the life of Jaipur royal Gauravi Kumari

Khaleej Times

a day ago

It's a bright sunny morning at the Jaipur City Palace and a busy day for Princess Gauravi Kumari. The daughter of Princess Diya Kumari and granddaughter of Rajmata Padmini Devi of the Jaipur royal family, Gauravi is championing women's empowerment and is a global brand ambassador for brands like Jimmy Choo and Kama Ayurveda. With her focus on The Palace Atelier and Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF), she's breaking the mould and setting new standards.
Gauravi invites us into her majestic world where she talks about her love
for work, charm of living in Jaipur, and her unfiltered life as a royal, which is unlike anything you will see in movies or streaming shows. 'My usual days are quite like anyone else's! I like to start my mornings with some time alone. It's a chance to gather my thoughts before stepping into the day,' she told wknd.
'From there, it's typically straight into meetings and work. I try to spend time every day at Badal Mahal, the headquarters of the PDKF. It's where I work closely with our teams and the incredible women artisans. We're currently focused on developing new collections and strategising for PDKF's Artisan Collective,' she said. 'We're also planning some shoots for upcoming The Palace Atelier collections, so we've been busy with recces across the city.'
After growing up in Jaipur, Gauravi went abroad for higher studies. She cherishes the independence and growth that came with stepping out of her comfort zone. 'One of the things I cherish most about growing up in Jaipur was the sense of space — physical and emotional. There was always room to explore, to imagine, and to be close to nature and culture at the same time,' she said. 'Spending time with my siblings and family profoundly shaped who I've become and what I stand for.'
'Going to boarding school was one of the best decisions my parents made for me — it made me independent and confident, and helped me discover my passions,' Gauravi said. 'New York was also a humbling experience, and it's such an intensely creative city. I was amazed by how many people would work tirelessly to bring their creative vision to life. It was a creative playground, and that's where I first translated my interests — fashion, art, and design — into something tangible, because I was surrounded by so many people doing just that.'
After completing her studies, Gauravi returned to her hometown and embraced royal responsibilities. She's deeply rooted in culture and her
core strength is her grounded approach and extensive work towards the empowerment of women artisans and Indian craft.
Interests and responsibilities
'I'm fortunate that my responsibilities and personal interests are deeply aligned. Whether it's working on heritage conservation, women's empowerment, or cultural preservation, these aren't duties, they're passions,' she said. 'That said, I do think it's important to create space for yourself beyond work. I find joy in small rituals like spending time with friends, reading, taking walks, or even just enjoying a quiet evening at home. It helps me stay centred.'
Some days she's hustling between shoots, interviews, brand endorsements and royal duties and engagements, and other days, Gauravi is the girl-next-door indulging in the small joys of life.
So, how does she unwind after a long day? 'Without question, spending time with my family, including my pets; those quiet, shared moments really help me recharge,' she said.
Gauravi's global experiences have broadened her horizons, but it's one person in particular who has left an indelible mark on her perspective and approach to life. 'My mother. She's been an unwavering source of strength — quietly powerful, deeply compassionate, and a remarkable visionary. She initiated PDKF at a time when women's empowerment in our region wasn't a commonly spoken phrase. Her focus on skill-building and creating real change, not just symbolic gestures, has stayed with me. She's shown me what leadership looks like,' she said.
As a member of the Jaipur royal family, Gauravi is involved in various initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage and promoting community welfare. She is hopeful that these efforts will inspire pride and ownership among people, leading to a positive transformation in society.
Soon, she turns towards what makes her proud. 'Two of the projects I'm most proud of are The Palace Atelier and PDKF,' Gauravi said. 'Both are centred on similar principles: championing artistry, creating opportunities, and bridging heritage with relevance. Having grown up in an environment where we see, and feel, the stories behind every piece of heritage, it's so important to me to be able to use my platform to share those stories with others — those stories are what make our culture so special. I'm also drawn to initiatives that make heritage feel alive, not distant.'
She explained what drives her to these passion projects. 'Whether that's exhibitions, storytelling projects, or collaborations that merge craft with modern design — it's all about keeping tradition vibrant and accessible, and making sure it supports real lives. Since its inception, PDKF has supported over 10,000 women and girls across Rajasthan, which is unbelievable. With projects focused on education access, upskilling, craft training, and more, we're so proud of how we've been able to help women
from lower-income communities overcome the economic, social, and cultural barriers they face. We have several new projects coming up over the next few years as well, we have no plans of slowing down.'
An icon of style, simplicity and elegance, Gauravi is everyone's (Indian and international) favourite brand representative. She gracefully juggles multiple endorsements that align with her style. 'My style is rooted in comfort; each piece I wear reflects something about who I am or where I come from. I've always been interested in fashion and that's why I treat clothing with intention; every piece I wear must be special to me,' she said, adding that her family influences her on this count.
'I've always been inspired by
the effortless grace of my mother, grandmother, and Maharani Gayatri Devi. It's less about trends and more about authenticity, ease, and a connection to my roots.'
While Indian fashion is fast-evolving and global brands are taking keen interest in the country and its craft, Gauravi and her team are working hard to ensure the artisans are given their due credit. 'It all starts with credit and access,' she says. 'Our artisans are the true keepers of heritage. If the world is turning to India for inspiration, it's essential that people at the grassroots benefit directly from this attention. That means not just visibility, but real agency — platforms where artisans can showcase their work on their own terms, mentorship that honours their craft, and investments that let traditions evolve. PDKF's Artisan Collective is something I'm very proud of; it's a model for how we can empower artisans meaningfully.'
Royal families have been working to maintain their culture and heritage, and she believes the platform can make a positive difference when it comes to carrying forward the legacy. 'I see this as a chance to be a custodian of people, stories, and heritage. I've never viewed legacy as something static; it grows and gains meaning when nurtured with care and purpose,' she said.
'Whether it's shining a light on artisans preserving centuries-old techniques or supporting women finding their voice in remote parts of the country, my role is to help build pathways that allow both people and tradition to flourish, side by side,' she said.
As a royal, Gauravi feels lucky to have grown up around impactful women who taught her practical life lessons. And it's this upbringing and rootedness that inspires her. 'I have always been surrounded by strong, enigmatic women, each with their own sense of purpose and quiet strength. That gave me a deep sense of self early on,' she said.
'To every girl and woman who looks up to me, I'd say, build a life that feels true to who you are. Surround yourself with people and ideas that challenge and uplift you. And know that you are allowed to evolve — again and again.'