The Regal Empowerment: Indian Royal Women Redefining Legacy and Leadership at YFLO Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In a rare and first of its kind attempt, YFLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organisation) has organised a unique session ‘The Regal Empowerment‘, a confluence of Indian Royalties. This rare and unique program was held on Wednesday evening at The Leela Hyderabad.

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The four Royal Princess and a Mahara who participated and spoke were Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar- Royal Family of Udaipur, Rajasthan; H.H. Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad – Royal Family of Baroda, Gujarat, Nawabzadi Aaliya Sultana Babi – “Dinosaur Princess,” Royal Family of Balasinor, Gujarat; Rani Preeti Singh – Royal Family of Nabha, Punjab; Princess Meenal Kumari Singh Deo – Royal Family of Dhenkanal, Odisha. 

Giving her opening remarks, Ridhi Jain, Chairperson of YFLO said, “The Future is female“.

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We are privileged to be in the presence of individuals whose legacies are rooted in royal heritage, but whose actions define true leadership. Their contributions resonate through time, proving that royalty is not about titles, but about impact—the way we uplift others, drive change, and shape a better world.

Women’s empowerment is a movement—it’s built on legacy, driven by purpose, and led by each of us. Now is the time to rise, empower and thrive, Ridhi said.

India has many royal families. They have transitioned from being monarchs of kingdoms to wealthy members of a post-colonial society.  Despite the abolition of princely states and discontinuation of royal privileges, the royal families have not only preserved their heritage but continue their influence on us.  The Royal families too have adopted along with the changing times. 

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Films about royal families often portray them as rich, powerful, wealthy, influential, glamorous and not so philanthropic, etc. But those Royal Members who participated in the session proved otherwise. They shared their journey, contribution to women empowerment, and philanthropic activities. They dispelled all those popular myths that they are away from common people. They shared  stories of the royal women who broke the glass ceiling. They shared how their families encouraged women’s empowerment. They shared their philanthropic activities.

Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar- Royal Family of Udaipur, Rajasthan shared how women empowerment was in their family genes, DNA. How their ancestor Maharana Shambhu Singh of the Mewar dynasty in Rajasthan established the first all-girls school in the region in the year 1865, known as the Maharana Girls High School (now Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School) in Jagdish Chowk, Udaipur.

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Nawabzadi Aaliya Sultana Babi, who is known as “Dinosaur Princess,” shared insights of the Royal Family of Balasinor, Gujarat and how this former Gujarat Royal came to be known as ‘Dinosaur Princess’.  Nawabzadi (Princess) Aaliya Sultana Babi, the daughter of the Late Nawab Saheb of Balasinor in Gujarat, is an amateur paleontologist and conservationist. Her love for dinosaurs is evident with the museum she created.

Rani Preeti Singh – Royal Family of Nabha spoke about how her great-grandfather encouraged widow remarriage within six months after women losing their spouses.

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Ridhi Jain of YFLO spoke about the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat, which is known as the world’s largest private residence, owned and inhabited by the Gaekwad royal family, currently led by HRH Samarjitsinh Gaekwad and his wife Radhikaraje Gaekwad.

All the royal women spoke about Naari Shakthi and their contribution to the society.

Princess Meenal Kumari Singh Deo – Royal Family of Dhenkanal, Odisha spoke about Heritage Tourism. She highlighted her family’s efforts in restoring the lost glory of the Dhenkanal Palace in Odisha.

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The royal family tastefully restored the historic property and converted it into a heritage homestay. The rambling space also showcases Odisha’s rich art and craft, which is now well known all over the world.

More than 300 attendees turned up to the YFLO event and were inquisitive to know about Royal women, how they engage, etc.

The program had an overwhelming response from YFLO and FLO members.

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Royal Families means not just palatial buildings, glory, but also duty, service to humanity and compassion towards the underprivileged, as proven by the Maharaja and the four Princesses.

It is not another YFLO event. This is different from our regular programs. The contributions of these distinguished royal people echo through time, showing us that true royalty is not defined by titles, but by the way we uplift others and make a difference in the world, says Ridhi Jain, Chairperson of YFLO.

Women like them have not only inherited royal legacies, but have transformed them into platforms for empowerment. These women were not just queens—they were warriors, educators, and visionaries—trailblazers who reshaped history, and whose voices continue to inspire new generations, Ridhi Jain added.

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