Anyone with a famous mother or highly successful father often has to fight to get out from under their shadow. India Amanda Caroline Hicks has done just that. She is the daughter of Lady Pamela Mountbatten, formerly a lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth II, and David Nightingale Hicks, the British doyen of style and interior design, and second cousin of King Charles III. Many know her only as India Hicks. The ‘only’ sounds inappropriate in view of her versatility: India Hicks has modelled for design icons such as Ralph Lauren, is known as an author and philanthropist, is successful as an interior designer and entrepreneur, and is in demand as a TV commentator.

She takes the video interview without a hint of make-up on her even face (she has just come from yoga) in her home on the Bahamas island of Harbour Island. She has been living here with David Flint Wood since 1996. The couple have five children – and only got married in 2021. As unconventional as this late step may seem, the choice of location for the wedding was very traditional: the celebration took place in Oxfordshire, where Hicks grew up. A life between two worlds sounds challenging. How fitting that the 57-year-old loves challenges.

You were born in London, grew up in Oxfordshire, went to boarding school in Scotland, studied in the USA, worked in New York and Paris and now live in the Bahamas – where are you at home?

In the Bahamas. This is where my children grew up, this is where my dogs are, this is where our books and paintings. This is my home.

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What made you decide to move to the Bahamas in 1996?

That‘s a long story. The short version is that my father built a house on Eleuthera the year I was born. So I‘ve been coming here all my life. David, a friend of my sister‘s, once travelled to the Bahamas with us. He fell in love with this part of the world, found a job at a boutique hotel and stayed. We reconnected many years later, and four months later I was pregnant. He said, ‘We should get married.’ I replied that I didn‘t want to get married, but that maybe we should buy a house on Harbour Island.

What makes the Caribbean special to you? 

The advantages are, of course, that we have a beach with pink sand, gardens full of palm trees and sunshine most days. But life here is not as easy as many people think. There is a three-month hurricane season, and no permanent doctor or hospital. If the boat doesn‘t come, there‘s no milk. Nevertheless, life here offers us a lot of privacy and great freedom, including in terms of creativity. We have adopted this country and the country has adopted us. That only works with respect.

Were you prepared for the difficulties of island life? 

I went to boarding school at the northern tip of Scotland. Every morning started with a run in the cold, after which there was a cold shower... 

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What about cultural life in the Bahamas? 

We have a really extraordinary parade here once a year called Junkanoo. Two teams compete with dancing, music and homemade, sparkling costumes. It‘s brilliant. Everyone comes together, rehearsals begin months in advance and you can hear the drums beating. One of my sons has been drumming in the parade since he was five, and at 21 he‘s still doing it. My family and I love the parade, it showcases the incredible imagination and creativity of this nation.

How has living in two cultures influenced your work as an interior designer? 

Very much so. My world was always very influenced by my father, who was a well-known interior designer. Until I arrived in the Bahamas, I was always a bit intimidated by his fame. It was only here that I had the courage to develop my voice in the design world. Our whole life is strongly influenced by the Caribbean lifestyle, it is a mix of cultures. At our last Christmas dinner, we sat outside on a hill, in a tent surrounded by palm trees, and had a very traditional English meal. 

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Do you miss the social life in England?

We have a wonderful community of friends here on the island, but I am also at a stage in my life where being at home, eating a boiled egg, watching TV and not having to go out makes me happy.

In 2024, you published a book about the life of your mother, who was a lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth II. You seem to have a very close relationship. What is your secret?

It‘s not so much a secret as a generational issue. My mother had a difficult relationship with her mother because she was almost never there for her, always absent. But that was common for women of that society back then. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was much more present. We share many interests: a love of dachshunds, travelling, and a sense of humour. I have great respect for my mother. She thinks very progressively.

Your mother was not invited to the coronation of Charles III. What do you think about that?

My relationship with King Charles is, of course, different from the one my mother had with Queen Elizabeth II. He represents a different generation. Filling the Abbey with people who work hard for their country, as a sign of recognition and thanks, was a brilliant move in my opinion. My mother feels the same way.

You often travel to the UK to visit your mother.

When I‘m with my mother, we have tea every day at four o‘clock. It‘s served on a tray in a 

heated Wedgwood teapot, with two cups and cakes and scones. Without fail.

You are also travelling as part of your involvement with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). How did that come about? 

In 2019, a powerful hurricane hit the Bahamas. I wanted to help and joined GEM because it is different from other organisations: instead of providing help in isolated cases and then leaving, they empower local teams to rebuild in the long term. I love this approach. So I started raising money for GEM, then I became an ambassador for the organisation and finally joined the board. 

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How do you maintain your inner balance?

The first few times were very emotional. When I came back, I felt very guilty because I was born in a free and safe country. The experiences you have there are so far removed from our daily lives! Now my adult sons accompany me – I often wonder if I‘m a bad mother for putting them in danger. But given their privileged lives, they should see what is happening in the world. One of them is now on the junior board.

Does it help that you can now share your experiences with each other?

Yes, very much so! You know, my family experienced a great tragedy when the IRA murdered my grandfather in 1979. My mother and aunt said, ‘We will not let this darken our lives; we will not live with bitterness.’ They also drew strength from a very English sense of humour. Their example has shone the way for me.

Is there something you take with you on every trip?

Above all, an attitude: I am now 57, and one of the advantages of this age is that I enjoy the moment. This could be Christmas morning, when all my children are at home and happy, the perfect cup of coffee, or the feeling of having survived a tricky situation. Even when I‘m stuck in traffic in London, I try to live in the moment.