Lord George Carnarvon's Contemporaries  at Cambridge  University

                                     and Egyptian Escapades with Victor

Prince Victor Duleep Singh's father  (much like Victor himself) had an eye for the ladies, the Maharajah “ dallied with courtesans” and set up several mistresses from the chorus line of the variety theatres of London and Paris he frequented. The Carnarvon heir, Lord Porchester, " Porchey" to his family and friends, was awkward, shy and clumsy with women. Victor delighted in leading his weaker, inexperienced, disinterested friend astray, indeed even into indulging in “ wild ways”. The preferred course was for visiting common prostitutes, who were available ( and tolerated ) on the Continent and in Egypt, although the host of diseases these women carried put young men in danger of being blighted for life. Whilst at Cambridge, both men formed all male – but more social associations - their contemporaries included the notorious “Prince Eddy”, Duke of Clarence and Lord Francis Hope- of the Hope diamond fame- but there is no evidence either Victor or George was deflected into seeking carnal pleasures in the company of these fellows.

In Europe and Egypt the boys continued to sow their oats, although Carnarvon’s sexual experiences were dismal failures. But such a negative outcome did not apply to his zeal for maintaining his gambling habit. The Carnarvon heir and the young rakish Prince Victor both furiously played the gaming tables of Paris and Monte Carlo. Alas, neither was good with money, both quickly spent their allowance, in Victor’s case from the Indian Office, and ran up huge debts. Porchey’s father, who funded George's allowance, until he was 21 ( and then inherited an income in his own right from the coffers of the Bretby Estate, in a legacy from his deceased mother )  called a halt to his son’s excesses and the two boys were parted when Victor was obliged to settle down into army life.