The work of LGBTQ+ icon Princess Catherine Duleep Singh

Princess Catherine Duleep Singh and Lina Schafer © Peter Bance www.duleepsingh.com

When we think of Indian suffragettes, we often think of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and her heroic actions. Many do not know that Princess Catherine Duleep Singh, sister of Sophia was also using her platform to create change. That is why I was delighted that Peter Bance (historian and archivist) not only allowed me to use private photos of Catherine in my project but had invited me to an exhibition dedicated to Catherine Duleep Singh at Ancient House near Norfolk.

As part of the Indian Women and War project I wanted to raise awareness of the work Catherine did during the Second world War - I was shocked that many did not know what a powerhouse she was, so I wanted everyone to understand why the work Catherine did during the Second world War would make everyone speak about her years after her death.

Princess Catherine Duleep Singh was born on the 27th of October 1871 and the second daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Maharani Bamba. Catherine and her siblings (Sophia, Bamba, Victor, Frederick, and Albert Edward) grew up at Elveden Hall, near Thetford. After their parents passed away, Fraulein ‘Lina’ Schafer was appointed their governess and later this would change Catherine’s life.

She attended Somerville College at Oxford between 1890 and 1894 where she studied for a degree in French and German. She also had private tutoring in playing the violin, swimming, and singing. Although she studied for her degree, she was not able to gain a qualification as Oxford University at the time did not award degrees to women. This was a setback, but it gave Catherine an education many could not have at the time.

Here sister, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the god daughter of Queen Victoria and that meant Sophia and her siblings were able to have certain privileges. Queen Victoria adored the family and after the death of their parents she allowed them to stay at Hampton Court Palace.

Princess Catherine Duleep Singh and her sister Princess Sophia Duleep Singh at a dinner © Peter Bance www.duleepsingh.com

Over the years, Catherine had gained a close relationship with her governess, Lina, and they did everything together. Lina was 12 years older than Catherine and together they travelled Europe and lived together in Lina’s house in Kassel, Germany. Many had dubbed Lina and Catherine as ‘lovers’ and over the years the historical research would suggest that they were in a relationship with each other. In August 1938 when Lina passed away, friends encouraged Catherine to return to the UK as Germany was becoming a dangerous place for her to stay. The Nazi’s were flooding Germany and as a woman of colour, Catherine was no longer safe. She agreed and decided to return to the UK in November 1938, selling everything she had in Germany. Catherine set up home at Coalhatch House, Penn, Buckinghamshire, near her sister Sophia.

It was at Coalhatch House that Catherine helped several Jewish families flee and escape the German Nazi’s. It was not an easy task but the families she brought over were relieved that they had somewhere to escape to. Germany was a dangerous place, and many people did not have the chance to escape, Catherine used her money and platform to help give a safe home to the families that she had encountered. The exhibition I went to at Ancient House highlighted the story of Catherine’s friend and violinist, Alexander Polnarioff and the Meyerstein family, who she helped so that they could escape from the threat of death in a German concentration camp.

Sadly, on 8th November 1942, aged 71, Catherine had passed away of heart failure. Catherine had wanted to be near her friend Lina and so her sister Bamba took some of the ashes to Principal cemetery at Kassel in Germany. There is also some of her ashes scattered at Elveden churchyard.

Kiran Sahota at the graves of the Duleep Singh family

The last few years have seen projects and articles discuss Catherine as an icon for the LGBTQ+ community, with so much focus on her love life. For the Indian Women and War project, my aim was to shine a spotlight on the heroic actions that saved many lives as the Second World War became a global war. Her story gave an insight to how brave Catherine was and how she lived her life how she wanted.

*Some wording has been taken from The Catherine Duleep Singh exhibition 2021-2022 at Ancient House.