This is the story of a young Anglo-Irish-beauty's visit to Delhi for the 1911 Royal darbar, where a new King, George V, is to be proclaimed Emperor to reinforce the loyalty to the Crown of India's ruling princes. For a fortnight of relentless ceremony, unheard of extravagance and imposing military, telegraph and post offices, Lilah Wingfield meets many of the most remarkable colonial characters of the day, including some of the most foremost Indian Prices, vying to stage the most lavish display