Royal Challenge

Does Great Britain''s Prince Charles earn his royal keep (no, not Camilla Parker Bowles, dear)? I would unhesitatingly say so. Especially after monitoring his India trip, crammed as it was, with appointments galore.
From Mumbai''s humble dabbawallas to the Indian Navy''s dashing admirals, the Prince took it all in with his characteristic loopy grin and good humour.When asked whether he ever tired of pumping so many strange hands, he shrugged away the suggestion.
When pressed to explain the secret of his bonhomie, he replied concisely, "Upbringing." That one word said it all.
Our own Royals aren''t doing too badly themselves. After a decade or two of playing coy, most of them are back doing what they do best - being royal. And shall we drop that socialistic nonsense of taking away their titles?
Stripped of their piggy banks, the poor ''Hukums'' tried hard to fight for their absurd sounding prefixes. Only to be told those were gone too.
Well, the current lot has clearly decided ''enuf is enuf'' and suddenly hundreds of obscure ''highnesses'' are coming out of the woodwork. Why not? Exotic India needs them. And fortunately, today''s royals are well aware of their commercial potential.
A few years earlier silly snobs may have balked and blinked at the thought of a legendary Maharani deciding to lend her gracious name to a limited edition range of branded solitaires - signature and all. Today, Gayatri Devi has made the whole thing perfectly ''kosher''.
There she is, one of the world''s most celebrated beauties, posing away with all the aplomb of a Naomi Campbell. Quite the media darling from the time she was declared a classic looker, nearly 50 years ago, Gayatri Devi has finally woken up to the pricey endorsement game.
Don''t be surprised if you see her signing up for a specially designed line of pastel chiffon sarees. Or if she starts giving Amitabh Bachchan a run for his money as India''s top model.
Those in the know insist the still glorious Maharani isn''t doing it for the money. And even that her ''fees'' are being diverted to a favourite charity. Be that as it may, I like the idea of the old girl converting her personal equity into common lucre.
That''s the way it goes in today''s world - a price tag on anything and everything that''s perceived to have value and add value.
Similarly, the Wodeyars of Mysore insist they''re sitting on over 4,000 exclusive design images. The Maharajah himself claims he has a 1,000 concepts to converts these designs into commercial enterprises. His Maharani (who recently turned 50) hosted a fashion show at a party that highlighted designs jointly created by the couple.
What''s left? The family jewels?? Oops!! Other royals are doing the same - perhaps more discreetly but the same.
While the old joke (rent a royal for the night) hasn''t yet become a reality in India (it works for titled but broke European princelings) it''s still possible to ''persuade'' a prince to host elegant soirees and tea parties for a fat fee. This is a modern approach to generating fresh funds, now that the original kitty is rapidly shrinking.
No shame in that, at all.
If anything, it''s a positive step that will have an inbuilt reality check for those amongst us, who, for centuries, have lived in a rarefied atmosphere, reeking of incomparable wealth and generational decadence.
Today''s royals are busy striking sharp deals with all the street smart of sidewalk hustlers in New York.
When there is a market why let go of an opportunity? Solitaires today, sarees tomorrow, maybe a cola or two in between. That''s what I call a Royal Challenge. Cheers!