5 Royal Revelations About Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's Openly Gay Prince

The world's first openly gay prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, continues to redefine royalty in the modern era. As of late 2025, his work has transitioned from being a personal struggle to a national movement, solidifying his status as one of India's most prominent and enduring LGBTQ+ activists. His commitment to the community, particularly through transforming his ancestral palace grounds into a safe haven, offers a powerful, tangible symbol of hope and acceptance for marginalized individuals across the subcontinent.

The journey of Prince Manvendra is a compelling narrative of duty, defiance, and dedication. Facing ostracization from his own family and public ridicule following his coming out, he leveraged his royal platform not for personal gain but to champion the rights and well-being of the vulnerable LGBTQ+ community in India, a mission that remains his central focus today.

HRH Crown Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil: A Royal Profile

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is the current Crown Prince of the former princely state of Rajpipla, located in the Gujarat region of Western India. His life story is a remarkable confluence of ancient royal lineage and groundbreaking modern activism.

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• Full Name: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Manvendra Singh Raghubir Singh Gohil.
• Title: Crown Prince of Rajpipla.
• Date of Birth: September 23, 1965.
• Place of Birth: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
• Parents: Maharaja Raghubir Singhji Rajendrasinghji and Maharani Rukmini Devi.
• Education: Studied at Bombay Scottish School and Amrutben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics.
• First Marriage: Married a princess from the royal family of Jhabua in 1991; the marriage ended in divorce after one year.
• Coming Out: Publicly came out as gay in 2006, leading to his disownment by his parents.
• Husband: Married American filmmaker and activist DeAndre Richardson (sometimes referred to as Duke DeAndre Richardson) in 2013.
• Foundation: Founder and Chairman of the Lakshya Trust (established 2000).
• Notable Appearances: Featured three times on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and was invited to Kim Kardashian’s home.
• Current Residence & Work: Rajpipla, Gujarat, focusing on the Queer A+ Community Campus.

1. The Historic Defiance: Coming Out and Disownment

Manvendra Singh Gohil’s decision to publicly acknowledge his sexuality in 2006 was not just a personal choice; it was a seismic event that reverberated across India and the global royal community. He became the first and only openly gay prince in the world, a title that came with immediate and severe consequences.

The immediate fallout was brutal. His parents, the Maharaja and Maharani, publicly disowned him, stripping him of his inheritance and titles in an attempt to save face and uphold conservative royal traditions.

The news was a sensation in the Indian media, with many outlets focusing on the scandal rather than the courage of his act. However, Manvendra chose to channel the negative attention into positive action, using the global spotlight to draw attention to the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in India, who faced criminalization under the archaic Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code at the time.

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2. The Revolutionary 'Rainbow Home' at Hanumanteshwar 1927

The most significant and current project of Prince Manvendra is the transformation of his ancestral home's grounds into a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community. This ambitious project is overseen by his non-profit organization, the Lakshya Trust, which he established in 2000 to focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among men who have sex with men (MSMs).

The 15-acre compound in Hanumanteshwar, Rajpipla, is being converted into the Queer A+ Community Campus, often referred to as the "Rainbow Home" or the LGBTQ+ Community Ashram.

The center is designed to be a holistic shelter, providing vulnerable individuals—particularly those disowned by their families—with essential life skills, vocational training, and psychological support. The goal is to make them financially independent and socially integrated. This includes dedicated housing and resources for the transgender community, who face some of the harshest discrimination in India.

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3. The Power Couple: Prince Manvendra and Duke DeAndre Richardson

Prince Manvendra’s life took a positive turn when he met his American husband, DeAndre Richardson, online in 2009. The couple married in 2013, creating a powerful, transatlantic partnership that has significantly amplified their joint activism.

DeAndre Richardson, a filmmaker and activist, has embraced his role in the Indian royal setup, often referred to as Duke DeAndre Richardson. Their union is a modern fairy tale that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, symbolizing the global nature of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Together, they have traveled the world, sharing their story through interviews and speaking engagements (including a notable interview in early 2025), using the unique platform of a royal couple to lobby for queer rights and acceptance in traditionally conservative societies. Their work highlights the importance of international solidarity in achieving equality.

4. The Legacy of the Lakshya Trust

Long before his public coming out, Manvendra was quietly working to support the gay community in Gujarat through the Lakshya Trust, which he founded in 2000. This charitable trust initially focused on crucial public health issues.

The Trust’s early work was vital in the pre-Internet era, establishing networks to provide health services and HIV/AIDS awareness to marginalized men who have sex with men (MSMs). This early, focused work laid the groundwork for his larger, more visible activism today.

Today, the Lakshya Trust is the engine driving the Queer A+ Community Campus, expanding its mission from health awareness to full-spectrum social empowerment, including livelihood training and psychological counseling, making it a critical support system in Western India.

5. A Global Media Icon: From Oprah to Kim K

Prince Manvendra’s story gained global traction not just because of his royal title, but due to his willingness to share his vulnerable story on high-profile international platforms. His appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" three times brought the Indian LGBTQ+ struggle to millions of American homes, making him an instant icon of resilience.

His celebrity status has allowed him to connect with other influential figures, including a notable invitation to Kim Kardashian’s home in Los Angeles. These connections are strategically leveraged to raise funds and awareness for the Lakshya Trust and the ongoing development of the community center.

His continued presence in global media, with recent interviews in 2024 and 2025, ensures that the conversation around Indian LGBTQ+ rights remains current and visible on the world stage. He remains a powerful voice, advocating for the full legalization of same-sex marriage in India, a movement that continues to gain momentum.

The Future of Rajpipla's Royal Activism

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil's life is a testament to the fact that true royalty is defined by service and courage, not just lineage. By sacrificing his personal comfort and risking his family ties, he has built a legacy that is far more impactful than any inherited title. His palace, once a symbol of tradition, is now being transformed into a beacon of modernity and acceptance.

The ongoing development of the Queer A+ Community Campus in Rajpipla is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive India, offering a vital lifeline to those who have nowhere else to go. His work, supported by his husband DeAndre Richardson and the dedicated team at the Lakshya Trust, continues to inspire activists and change hearts and minds across the world.