Prince Duleep Singh of the Punjab was the subject of the February meeting of Wickhambrook Local History Society. This fascinating man owned the Elveden estate and was a friend of Queen Victoria, and Clive Paine’s talk took us from the Punjab to Suffolk , France and Egypt in an attempt to shed light on an eminent Victorian. Duleep Singh was born in 1838 in the Punjab and his mother plotted and schemed so that he inherited the title of Maharajah from his father. When the Punjab became part of British India, he was given a pension by the British on condition that he left his home. He came to England in 1854 and his exotic good looks, costume and jewellery made him a celebrity. He often took tea with the Queen, and she was godmother to one of his sons. He married in Cairo, and bought the Elveden estate in 1861, where he was a great host and an excellent shot. He had a few problems with the payment of his pension and began to want to return to India. He fled to France, became ill and the estate fell into decay. It was sold in 1984 and the archives were purchased by public subscription. They are kept in the Ipwich Record Office.

There was so much to learn about this man and his place in Victorian England - it was proposed that Clive Paine should write a book to answer all our questions.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 21st March at 7.30pm in the WI Hall when Ashley Cooper will talk on ‘The Suffolk/Essex Border in Roman Times.’

More information from Gillian 01440 820052.