Their Majesties make merit on 1st anniversary of Princess Galyani's passing

The Princess, who passed away at the age of 84 on January 2, 2008, was the beloved sister of His Majesty the King and a great contributor to Thai society.  

Princess Galyani was born on May 6, 1923 in London, the only daughter of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkla - the sixtyninth son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and the seventh son of Queen Savang Vadhana - and Miss Sangwal Talabhat (later known as Princess Srinagarindra, The Princess Mother).

She was firstly named "May" on her birth certificate, and then later named Mom Chao Galyani Vadhana Mahidol by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The word "Vadhana" in her name came from her paternal grandmother, Savang Vadhana.

In 1927, she was promoted to the royal rank of Princess of Thailand (Phra Vorawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao) by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).

The Princess had two younger brothers: King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the current monarch.

On the occasion of the sixth cycle (72nd) birthday of Princess Galyani in 1995, His Majesty bestowed on her the noble title "Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra" (loosely translated as "Princess of Narathiwat"), making her the only female member of the Chakri Royal Family in the reign of King Rama IX to have been given this title.

In announcing the honoured title, the King said that he and the Princess - his only sister - had shared the joys and sorrows of life since their early years, and he had the highest respect for in that she had always given him support.

Furthermore, the King said, it was a wellknown fact that the Princess had been steadfast in her devotion to him in order that he would enjoy grace and glory. She represented His Majesty in carrying out various royal works, and had always taken good care of their mother, which was a great comfort to him.

Projects initiated under the Princess's royal patronage included the traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She was president and honorary president of various organisations and foundations, including the Cardiac Children's Foundation, the Princess Mother's Charity Fund, and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand.

The Princess created her own foundation for funding the studies of gifted young musicians, and was a patron of various classicalmusic foundations.

On her trips, she always gathered important and useful information, which was shown in the royal news, thus disseminating knowledge to the people.

She also wrote books, poetry and spoke French. She travelled widely within Thailand and abroad to represent the Royal Family and her country on missions.

The Princess was admitted to Siriraj Hospital in June 2007, suffering from abdominal pains. Doctors found she had cancer, and she remained in hospital for treatment. In October that year, doctors reported that the Princess had suffered an infarction on the left side of her brain as a result of occlusion of a cerebral artery.

On December 14, 2007, the Royal Household Bureau released its 25th statement about the Princess's health, saying she was feeling increasingly tired and was becoming less responsive.

The Princess passed away three weeks later.