Radhikaraje Gaekwad (born Radhika Kumari;[1] 19 July 1978) is the Maharani of Baroda.
| Radhikaraje | |
|---|---|
| Maharani | |
 | |
| Maharani of Baroda | |
| Tenure | 9 May 2012 – present |
| Born | Radhika Kumari 19 July 1978 |
| Spouse | Samarjitsinh Gaekwad |
| Issue |
|
| House | |
| Father | Ranjitsinh Jhala |
| Mother | Kalpana Kumari |
| Website | radhikaraje |
Early life, education and family
editShe was born on 19 July 1978 to Ranjitsinh Jhala of Wankaner and his wife Kalpana Kumari.[1][2] She completed her preliminary education in Delhi and later at Mayo College Girls’ School in Ajmer. She did her undergraduate and graduate studies in Indian history from Lady Shri Ram College, a constituent college of the University of Delhi.[2]
She worked as a writer for the Indian Express following the completion of her undergraduate studies.[2][3] She worked as a journalist for three years before getting married.[3]
She married on 27 February 2002 in New Delhi to Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, the heir-apparent of Baroda.[4][5] She and her husband have two children: Padmajaraje and Narayaniraje.[6]
Titles, styles, and honours
editTitles and styles
editBefore her marriage, she was styled as Rajkumari of Wankaner. Upon her marriage in 2002, Radhikaraje became Yuvarani of Baroda.[7] Upon her father-in-law’s death on 9 May 2012, her husband automatically succeeded to the throne of Baroda and Radhikaraje became the Maharani as per family custom.[7][8][9] Since the coronation of her husband on 22 June 2012, she is styled as Her Highness the Maharani.[7][10][11]
Her complete styles and titles since 2012 are: Her Highness Maharani Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Radhikaraje Sahib Gaekwad, the Maharani of Baroda.[7]
Honorary degrees
edit| Country | Date | School | Degree | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 England
|
2023 | University of East London | Doctorate of Arts | [12] |
References
edit- ^ a b Soszynski, Henry. "WANKANER". members.iinet.net.au. Archived from the original on 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ a b c "Meet India's most 'beautiful' queen, who lives in largest residence in the world, known for her simplicity, her name is..." www.india.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ a b Jain, Sanya (24 June 2021). ""Reality Is Far From Sparkling": The Maharani Of Baroda On Being A Royal". NDTV.
- ^ Team, DNA Web. "Meet woman who lives in India's largest residence, bigger than Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's Antilia, she is married to." DNA India. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ Soszynski, Henry. "BARODA". members.iinet.net.au. Archived from the original on 2017-12-19. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ Sarup, Pratyush (2025-08-08). "Her Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad welcomes AD inside Lukshmi Vilas Palace, the world's largest private residence". Architectural Digest India. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ a b c d Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely states in colonial India-I. Anmol Publications. 1996. p. 105. ISBN 978-81-7041-859-7.
- ^ "Samarjitsinh Gaekwad will now be crowned as the next Maharaja of Baroda after the demise of his father Ranjitsinh". The Times of India. 2012-05-10. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Samarjitsinh immerses father's ashes in Narmada". The Times of India. 2012-05-13. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Samarjitsinh to be coronated as next Maharaja on June 22". The Times of India. 2012-06-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Samarjitsinh Gaekwad to be coronated today". The Indian Express. 2012-06-22. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Vadodara conferred Doctorate degree from University of East London". United News of India. 28 November 2023.