Hope Cooke was born on June 24, 1940, in San Francisco to John J. Cooke, a flight instructor, and Hope Noyes, an amateur pilot. Her early life was marked by tragedy. When she was just 18 months old, her mother died in a plane crash,

Early Life and Tragic Loss

Hope Cooke was born on June 24, 1940, in San Francisco to John J. Cooke, a flight instructor, and Hope Noyes, an amateur pilot. Her early life was marked by tragedy. When she was just 18 months old, her mother died in a plane crash, leaving young Hope and her half-sister Harriet Townsend to be raised by their maternal grandparents in New York City. Her grandfather, Winchester Noyes, was a prominent figure in the shipping industry, but he passed away when Hope was only 12, followed by her grandmother three years later. After their deaths, Hope became a ward of her aunt and uncle, Mary Paul (Noyes) and Selden Chapin, a U.S. Ambassador to Iran and Peru

A Royal Encounter: First Meeting of Crown Prince Thondup and Hope Cooke

On a warm summer evening in 1959, the Crown Prince of Sikkim, Thondup, pulled up in his Mercedes outside the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling. He made his way to the hotel lounge and ordered his go-to drink. As he relaxed, he noticed a young girl sitting alone in a corner. His friends quickly informed him that she was an American student named Hope Cook, who was enjoying a holiday in India and staying at the Windamere for a few days.

 

When Yuvraj met Hope, there was an instant connection between them. At 36, Yuvraj was a widower with three kids and was known to be a bit shy, often stuttering when he spoke. Hope, on the other hand, was just 19 years old. After that initial encounter, Yuvraj and Hope wouldn’t see each other again for the next two years.

Hope Cooke’s Reunion with the Crown Prince

In 1961, Hope Cooke returned to India and checked into the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling. In her autobiography, Time Change, she recalled how the Crown Prince of Sikkim, Thondup, discovered her presence at the hotel and their chance reunion.

A Proposal Under the Stars: The Dance at the Gymkhana Club

That evening, Thondup, an honorary officer in the Gorkha Regiment, invited Hope to dance at the Gymkhana Club. During the dance, the Prince whispered his wish to journey to Vienna together and proposed marriage to the young American.

The Engagement and Astrological Warnings

Their engagement was announced in 1961, but the wedding was delayed for over a year due to unfavorable astrological predictions in both Sikkim and India, which advised against marrying in 1962.

A Royal Wedding: March 20, 1963

Finally, on March 20, 1963, Hope Cooke married Crown Prince Thondup Namgyal in a Buddhist monastery. The ceremony, officiated by fourteen lamas, was attended by Indian royalty, military generals, and the US Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Galbraith.

Hope Cooke Became The American Media’s New Princess

When Hope Cooke married the Crown Prince of Sikkim in 1963, she quickly became a media sensation in the United States, often compared to Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who had married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

A Glimpse into Royal Life: Time Magazine’s 1969 Feature

In 1969, Time magazine published an article titled “Sikkim: A Queen Revisited,” which offered a detailed look at Hope’s daily routine, from her morning schedule to her evening social activities.

The Queen in the Public Eye: Western Interest in Sikkim

The marriage of Chogyal Namgyal and Hope Cooke drew significant attention in Western social and political discussions, with Hope increasingly seen as a potential queen of an independent Sikkim.

Religious Practices: Hope’s Buddhist Influence

Though Hope Cooke did not officially convert from Christianity to Buddhism, she adopted many Buddhist practices, leading figures like Henry Kissinger to remark on her deep connection to the religion.

Crowning and Controversy: Challenges in the Royal Marriage

On April 4, 1965, Namgyal was crowned as the monarch of Sikkim. However, the couple’s relationship faced difficulties, resulting in both engaging in extramarital affairs.

Rising Tensions: The Political Climate in Sikkim in 1965

By late 1965, the political situation in Sikkim grew increasingly strained, with segments of the population expressing discontent with the monarchy. This was during a time when Sikkim had not yet been integrated into India, and international interest in the region surged, particularly after Hope Cooke became queen.

Hope Cooke’s Influence: A Magnet for International Attention

Following Hope Cooke’s ascension to the role of queen, there was a significant rise in international visitors to Sikkim, including dignitaries such as the US ambassador and members of the US Congress. These interactions highlighted India’s opposition to Sikkim’s quest for independence, with Hope Cooke frequently making pointed remarks about India.

Controversial Article: The Sikkimese Theory of Landholding and the Darjeeling Grant

In 1966, Hope Cooke published an article titled “Sikkimese Theory of Landholding and the Darjeeling Grant” in the Namgyal Institute’s journal, challenging the legitimacy of the British East India Company’s acquisition of Darjeeling in 1835. The article sparked political controversy, leading to backlash from Indian media and raising concerns within the Indian government.

Indian Media Reaction: Accusations of CIA Involvement

The Indian media quickly seized upon Hope Cooke’s article, with sensational headlines suggesting that she was a CIA agent acting in Gangtok. This notion was dismissed by Indian intelligence officials, who doubted the idea of CIA involvement in Sikkim’s independence efforts.

Political Implications: Indira Gandhi’s Response

When the matter reached the Indian Parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi reassured MPs that the claims regarding Sikkim’s right to Darjeeling did not come from any credible source. The Chogyal of Sikkim also distanced himself from his wife’s stance, emphasizing his government’s ability to address national issues independently.

Hope Cooke’s Efforts: Attempts to Win Favor and the Consequences

Hope Cooke sought to win favor with the Chogyal by establishing hospitals and schools for the marginalized Nepali community and advising the Chogyal to delegate more authority to elected representatives. However, her actions ultimately created a rift between the Chogyal and his subjects, especially those of Nepali descent.

 

Speculations of CIA Involvement

 

During this time, discussions emerged in certain circles suggesting that Hope Cooke was, in fact, an operative of the CIA. Her public statements against India and encouragement of the Chogyal to resist Sikkim’s integration with India intensified these suspicions. By 1973, with rising public discontent, she found herself in opposition to the royal family.

 

 Hope Cooke as a Scapegoat in Local Media

 

In the local media, Hope Cooke became a scapegoat for Sikkim’s troubles. Despite having two children with the Chogyal, her relationship with her husband was strained, partly due to his lack of defense against the personal attacks directed at her.

 

 India’s Covert Operation to Integrate Sikkim

 

For over two years, India’s foreign intelligence agency conducted a secret initiative to incorporate Sikkim as the 22nd state of the Indian Union. This operation, led by Rameshwar Nath Kao, was initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in February 1973. It culminated in April 1975 with a controversial referendum opposed by China. The operation’s details are recounted in the book *Sikkim Dawn of Democracy: The Truth Behind the Merger with India* by G.B.S. Sidhu.

 

Tensions Between the Chogyal and India

 

Palden Thondup Namgyal, influenced by his American wife Hope Cooke, sought greater autonomy for Sikkim, leading to concerns within the Indian government. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi found the Chogyal’s demands unacceptable, prompting her to instruct India’s intelligence agency to take action regarding Sikkim.

Pressure for Sikkim’s Annexation

 

Sikkim faced significant pressure from India for annexation, leading to protests against the monarchy. On April 10, 1975, Hope Cooke’s husband, the Chogyal, was removed from power and placed under house arrest.

 

Hope Cooke’s Departure from Sikkim

 

Hope Cooke left Sikkim before the Chogyal’s downfall. Recognizing the implications of the agreement with India, she planned her exit in August 1973, avoiding the heartbreak of witnessing her husband’s ultimate decline. Despite the Chogyal’s pleas, she chose to leave, with her final words being a request to take care of her husband.

 

The Deterioration of Hope Cooke and Chogyal’s Relationship

 

Hope Cooke and the Chogyal’s relationship began to deteriorate, exacerbated by his affair with a Belgian woman and his heavy drinking. Hope eventually decided to divorce him, reclaiming her US citizenship.

 

Hope Cooke’s Life After Sikkim

After leaving Sikkim, Hope Cooke settled in New York City with financial support from Namgyal and an inheritance. She immersed herself in New York’s history, writing, lecturing, and creating walking tours. She authored several books, including Time Change: An Autobiography and Seeing New York.

Hope Cooke’s Later Years

In 1983, Hope Cooke remarried historian Mike Wallace, though they later divorced. Her son, Prince Palden, and daughter, Princess Hope, have pursued their own successful careers. After spending time in London, Cooke returned to the US, where she continues her work as a writer, historian, and lecturer, residing in Brooklyn.

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