The 2026 Met Gala saw a wave of high-profile debuts. Several celebrities made their first appearance at fashion’s biggest night, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Alongside names like Romeo Beckham, Sunday Rose, and more, Princess Gauravi Kumari and her brother, Sawai Padmanabh Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur, made their grand entrance.
This year’s theme of this year's Met Gala, Costume Art, and the accompanying dress code, Fashion Is Art, invited guests to interpret fashion as a medium for body, history, and cultural power. Embracing this concept, Princess Gauravi Kumari wore a custom Prabal Gurung design that paid tribute to her heritage.
© Taylor Hill"A little piece of home with me," she shared on Instagram, detailing her pale pink, pearl-encrusted ensemble. "At the heart of this look is my grandmother’s vintage chiffon sari, reimagined into a gown that retains the essence, the drape, and the sentiment it holds, while taking on a new form."
The choice of color was deeply intentional. "Rendered in Jaipur pink, a colour that has always felt familiar to me, the look brings together softness, structure, and emotion in a way that feels very instinctive. There is a strong sense of memory, home, and Jaipur, which makes it so so special."
© Theo WargoMeaningful Details and Heritage
The accessories completing the look were equally significant. "The jewellery is also very intentional, it carries its own language of craft - intricately set diamonds and pearls brought to life through traditional artistry. The layered use of pearls is inspired by Maharani Gayatri Devi famously known for her love for pearls and chiffon."
For footwear, Gauravi Kumari chose custom-made pumps by Jimmy Choo, one of her favorite brands, to match her gown. On Instagram, she also highlighted her beauty look: she opted for loose hair adorned with a delicate hair chain and stayed true to her personal style with minimalist makeup.
© Jamie McCarthy"Inspired by this year’s theme, ‘Fashion is Art’, I think of fashion as something that exists in constant motion, where what once was is never lost, only seen differently each time it returns," she noted at the end of her post, which featured several photos from the gala. In some shots, she posed alone; in others, she was joined by her brother, the Maharaja of Jaipur, who was also dressed by Prabal Gurung.
The Maharaja, known to his inner circle as "Pacho," wore a striking heavy velvet coat, quilted and embroidered over the course of 600 hours. Underneath this statement piece, he wore a black bandhgala suit featuring a sleek, tailored silhouette. Like his sister, the Maharaja finished his look with spectacular jewelry. He told Vogue India that the pieces "were conceived as an integral part of the look, not just as adornment, but as a means to enhance the coat."
© Michael Buckner"There are moments that feel bigger than you can fully take in, and this is one of them. Thank you @prabalgurung for creating something so deeply personal with me."
Who is Gauravi Kumari?
She is the daughter of Princess Diya Kumari, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of the Indian state of Rajasthan. After attending Mayo College Girls' School in India, she completed her higher education at New York University. She currently manages the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation and is the co-founder of The PDKF Store.
Gauravi Kumari maintains a significant social media presence and shared every detail of her Met Gala debut with her 386,000 Instagram followers, a group that includes global influencers like Italy's Chiara Ferragni.
Who is the Maharaja of Jaipur?
Sawai Padmanabh Singh is the head of the Royal Family of Jaipur. Following family tradition, he is an exceptional polo player in his spare time. He is deeply committed to preserving Jaipur’s cultural heritage and is known for supporting underprivileged girls through scholarships, digital literacy programs, and academic assistance.
