Sophia: The Suffragette Princesses of Punjab

Performance schedule

Tomorrow we are debutantes: 1895  

Time: 11:15 and 14:00 (15 minutes)
Place: Queen's Guard Chamber, The Georgian Story

There is a hive of activity and excitement, as Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and her sisters prepare for their debut into society. 

Tomorrow, they will meet Queen Victoria in their “coming out” ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Today there are dresses to try, feathers and pearls to put on and curtseys to practice.

The only problem? Princess Bamba thinks the whole thing is ridiculous and is not afraid to say so! 

Join the sisters in their debutante rehearsal and maybe even have a practice at meeting the queen yourself. 

Returning home from India: 1907

Time: 11:45 & 14:30 (15 minutes)
Place: Great Hall, Henry VIII's Apartments

Sophia’s brother, Freddie, can’t wait to have her back from her visit to India, and is looking forward to continuing their London life of parties and dancing.

But can things go back to the way they were? Visiting their father’s homeland has made Sophia question where and what is home. Inspired by stories of her ancestors, she is searching for something.

Join Freddie in welcoming Sophia home and hearing about her travels. 

Census day: 1911

Time: 12:45 & 15:00 (15 minutes)
Place: Great Hall, Henry VIII's Apartments

Inspired by the people she met in India fighting for freedom, Sophia joined the Suffragette movement on her return home. Now a leading Suffragette, she is active in using her status to promote the cause of women having equal votes with men.

Today is census day, when all citizens must be counted by the government. However, like her fellow Suffragettes, Sophia plans to take action in the fight for the right to a voice.

Performance credits

Sophia: The Suffragette Princess of Punjab’ is a collaboration between Historic Royal Palaces and HistoryRiot.

Production 

Co-creation, HistoryRiot - Frances Marshall

Co-creation, HistoryRiot Partner – Mandeep Glover 

Community Consultant for Historic Royal Palaces – Jassa Ahluwalia