A Royal Mess

Together, the family owns huge assets and properties spread in Rajasthan, Delhi and England. Though it is difficult to assess the actual wealth of the family, sources say it runs into several thousand crores.

Soon after his father8217;s death, Bubbles went to the Court claiming that since his father had died before the abolition of privy purse and after naming him the successor, he was the sole owner of the entire property.

Stung by his claim, his foster brothers and Gayatri Devi opened a united front against Bubbles. The dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court.

Gayatri Devi8217;s son Jagat had married Thai princess Priyanandana Rangsit. But the marriage fell apart after the birth of their two children, leading to divorce and animosity between the two families.

The Brigadier, who lost his speech due to illness a few years ago, managed a coup of sorts last week when he managed to win over Gayatri Devi8217;s grandchildren, Devraj and his sister Lalitya Kumari, to his side.

Gayatri Devi still has the support of Prithvi Raj. But her third foster son Jai and his wife Vidya have been silent during the current controversy.

Incidentally, the Bubbles camp, too, has its own problems. The 8216;King8217; was recently disowned by his followers after his only child, Diya Kumari, married a commoner. According to palace rumours, Diya8217;s marriage with Narendra Singh is also in trouble. Both Diya and Narendra deny talks of a marital rift.