Unofficial Royalty

In Memoriam: HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand (1923-2008)

HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand died of abdominal cancer on January 2, 2008 at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, aged 84.  She was the sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on May 6, 1923 in London, England, the only daughter of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and Sangwal Chukramol.  The princess renounced her royal title when she married Colonel Aram Rattanakul Serireongrit in 1944, but this marriage ended in divorce. Her only child, a daughter, Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sorasongkram was born in 1945.  When the princess’ brother came to the throne in 1950, her royal status was reinstated.  In 1969 the princess married HH Prince Varananda Dhavaj.  The prince died in 1990.

Princess Galyani Vadhana’s funeral rites followed thousand year old traditions.  The funeral was scheduled for November, 2008, ten months after the princess’ death because of the many preparations required including the building of a $5.7 miliion (£3.8 million) temporary royal crematorium.  The six-day funeral ceremony started on November 14, 2008 and ended on November 19, 2008 when Princess Galyani Vadhana’s ashes were enshrined in the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram temple.

Princess Galyani Vadhana's body is carried to the royal crematorium in a golden chariot.

The $5.7 million (£3.8 million) temporary royal crematorium

Links:
BBC: Thais mourn revered king's sister
BBC: Thais say farewell to princess
BBC: In pictures: Thai royal funeral