A royal romance that captured headlines a century ago
As part of Diwali celebrations, Wightwick Manor is sharing its links to India's royality.
A royal romance that made headlines a century ago
Princess Sudhira of Cooch Behar married Alan Mander in 1914 after a romance that reportedly overcame family opposition
A little-known royal love story that drew attention more than 100 years ago is being revisited as part of Diwali celebrations later this month.
Princess Sudhira of Cooch Behar, in what is now West Bengal, fell in love with Alan Mander after the two met in a London nursing home in the early 1900s.
Their tale, which involved family resistance, a long voyage meant to keep them apart and a suitor who reportedly followed his future bride around the world, is included in celebrations at the National Trust's Wightwick Manor and Gardens in Wolverhampton, from 24 October until 8 November.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, as well as some Buddhists around the world.
Sudhira, called "Baby" by friends, was one of the daughters of Maharajah Nripendra Narayan and Maharani Suniti Devi of Cooch Behar.
Her family had close links with Britain and the royal family, and often travelled to England.
Her relationship with Alan Mander began after she became unwell and was looked after at a London nursing home.
Mander, one of the youngest sons of Theodore and Flora Mander, who built Wightwick Manor, came to visit with his sister-in-law, and a friendship soon grew into a romance.
Sisters Pretiva and Sudhira both married brothers from the Mander family
The union was not immediately embraced by all members of the princess's family. According to the National Trust, Maharani Suniti Devi arranged an extended cruise in an effort to separate the couple, but Mander "simply followed them around the world".
The plan did not work, and the pair married in February 1914 at Woodlands, a palace in Kolkata that belonged to Sudhira's father.
Their wedding was not the first connection between the two families.
Two years earlier, Alan's brother Lionel Mander had married Sudhira's sister, Princess Pretiva Devi Narayan, at the same palace.
The sisters belonged to one of India's most famous royal families.
Their father attended Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and the coronation of King Edward VII, while one of their brothers was a godson of Queen Victoria.
The marriages also brought together two families known for progressive beliefs.
Maharani Suniti Devi campaigned for women's education and founded a girls' school, while Sudhira later backed improved relations between Britain and India and supported women's voting rights.
The Mander family were long-time supporters of women's suffrage and social reform, with family members campaigning for better rights and opportunities for women.
Just months after her marriage, Sudhira's life changed again dramatically when World War One began.
Alan was sent to Flanders, while she trained as a nurse and worked as a Voluntary Aid Detachment member at Westminster Hospital.
The couple later had three children.
Visitors to Wightwick's Diwali celebrations will be able to learn more about the royal sisters and their link to the house through displays, live music and a new installation inspired by Indian textiles and the site's history.
The five-day festival represents the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.