Death of Princess Galyani Vadhana (sister of the King) 2 January 2008


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Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana passed away at Siriraj Hospital, announced the Royal Household Bureau. She was 84.

The Princess' condition worsened on Tuesday night and she passed away at 2.54 am on Wednesday January 3, 2007.
The Princess had been received treatment for cancer at the hospital for months. Well-wishers had flocked to the hospital since the news spread that she was admitted.
The Princess is the elder sister of two kings of the Chakri Dynasty - King Rama Ananda and the present King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The royal funeral will take place at the Dusit Mahaprasart Throne inside the Grand Palace. Public who wants to pay respect to the late Princess should head to Sala Saha Thai Samakom inside the grand palace from 1pm to 4pm today.
The mourning period has started from yesterday until the 100th day of her departure, according to the Bureau.
The Nation
Bangkok's Independent Newspaper
 
Sister of Thai King Dies

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died Wednesday, the royal palace announced. She was 84 years old.

Galyani's passing came after the 80-year-old king himself recovered from the symptoms of a stroke after being hospitalized for three weeks in October. Both were treated at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital.
Galyani had been hospitalized since June, after doctors found she had abdominal cancer.
The princess was noted for her interest in the arts, especially theater and classical music, a taste cultivated when she, like the king, was educated in Switzerland, where she spent much time until later life.
She spoke five languages, and loved to travel, documenting many of her journeys in books. She was the oldest child of Prince Mahidol — a son of King Chulalongkorn — and his commoner wife, Sangwal.
Galyani married Col. Aram Ratanakul Serireungriddhi, a royal aide but a commoner, in 1944, which meant she had to give up the royal title she was awarded in 1935. The couple had a daughter but were divorced in 1949. The royal title was restored by Bhumibol in 1950, after the divorce.
She married again in 1969 to Prince Varananda Dhavaj, a professional pilot, who died in 1990.
A lifelong Francophile, she founded the Association of Teachers of French in Thailand, which she headed in 1977-81.
She also took up an intensive schedule of charity work, which is a mainstay of royal responsibility. She was a patron of at least five health-related foundations.
Galyani is survived by her daughter from her first marriage and a grandson.
 
The sister of two kings

It is already difficult to be a sister of a king but Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana was the sister of two Kings of Thailand.

Her Royal Highness was born Her Serene Highness Mom Chao Galyani Vadhana on 6 May 1923 in London, the eldest child of HRH the Prince of Songkla and the Princess Mother Sri Nagarindra.
She was the elder sister of HM King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).
In 1927, she was elevated to Her Highness (Pra Vorawongse Ther Pra Ong Chao) by HM King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).
In 1935, the princess was elevated to Her Royal Highness after her brother ascended the Throne as King Rama VIII. Her Royal Title was Somdetch Pra Chao Pi Nang Ther Chao Fa which translates as "the princess who is the King's elder sister."
In 1995, in the year of the Princess' 6th Cycle birthday, HM King Bhumibol bestowed on her the title of the Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, a traditional Siamese customs dating back to the Ayudhaya period, and not seen for decades.
She thus became the Princess of Naradhiwas since. She was the first and only lady in the Rama IX reign to receive the position.
The Princess of Naradhiwas married Col. Aram Ratanakul Serireungriddhi in 1944 and had to relinguish her Royal title upon marriage to a commoner.
After her divorce, she worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Thai people, and HM the King restored her Royal title in 1950. In 1969, the princess married His Highness Prince Varananda Dhavaj, son of His Royal Highness Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, Prince of Bejraburna.
The princess had one daughter, Thanpuying Dasna Valaya Sorasongkram, from her first marriage and one grandson, Jidas Sornsongkram - a son of Thanpuying Dasna.

Bangkok Post
 
Tribute to late Princess

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana was keen on literature, the arts, culture, and history. On her trips abroad, she always visited archaeological sites and places where she could learn about the world’s heritage. The trips were documented and published as well-written books that serve as excellent references.

Also much appreciated are books such as Busy Fingers on the late Princess Mother’s hobbies, Mother Told Me on the private life of the Princess Mother, Young Royals Juvenile Kings on their young days, and The Princely Postcards, a collection of the Prince Father ’s postcards.

With her steadfastness, and the gratitude shown to benefactors and her royal parents, Her Royal Highness contributed greatly to the country and the royal institution. She was invested with titles and the nation’s highest decorations.

Her academic achievements also earned her high commendations from foreign governments and organisations, such as the Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Merite, presented by the French government, and the Victor Hugo medal, presented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation.

Bangkok Post
 
Bathing rites

Their Majesties the King and Queen Wednesday afternoon presided over the bathing rites for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who succumbed to abdominal cancer early Wednesday at Siriraj hospital.

Bangkok Post: Top Stories
The Bangkok Post's homepage url leads to a remembrance picture as the start portal of the newspaper.
 
does the king have anymore living siblings?
 
does the king have anymore living siblings?

No,, Prince Mahidol of Songkla and the Princess Mother had only 3 children, The late Princess is the eldest daughter, The second one is the Late King Ananta Mahidol (Rama VIII) and HM King Bhumibol is the last one
 
Palace Official Announcement

Announcement of the Bureau of the Royal Household Concerning the Passing Away of Her Royal Highness Princess Galayani Vadhana Krom Laung Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra

January 2, 2008, 10:13 am​

Her Royal Highness Princess Galayani Vadhana Krom Laung Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra was admitted to Siriraj Hospital for treatment of Abdominal Cancer on Friday, June 15th, B.E. 2550 (2007) as announced.

Even though every possible care had been given by the Committee of Royal Physicians, Her Royal Highness’s condition gradually declined and she succumbed and passed away at Two Fifty-four a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, January 2nd, B.E. 2551 (2008).

By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household is responsible for the Royal Funeral Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.

By Royal Command the Court will be in mourning for 100 days.

His Majesty the King has given Royal Permission for the general public to participate in bathing rites in front of a portrait of Her Royal Highness at the Sahathaisamagom Hall of the Grand Palace between one to four p.m. on Wednesday, January 2nd, B.E. 2551 (2008).
 
France sends condolences to HM the King

France President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent condolences to HM the King over the passing away of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

In his note to HM the King, Sarkozy said he was very saddened by the death of the princess.

On behalf of French government and people, the president said he wished to express condolences to HM the King as well as the royal family members and people of Thailand, according to the statement.

France will never forget the important roles of the Princess in disseminating French language and culture in Thailand as well as her dedications in extending medical, educational and cultural assistance to disadvantages.
 
Late Princess honoured with 7-tiered umbrella

His Majesty the King has honoured Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana with a seven-tiered umbrella, which will be placed over her royal funeral urn — a symbol of great prestige.

The honour was given in recognition of the late Princess' great contribution to the country.

Their Majesties the King and Queen and Royal Family members yesterday attended the seven-day merit-making ceremony held at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall. A large crowd of mourners waited outside.
...
Messages of condolence continued to arrive from overseas. Among the most recent were those from the Vatican and the heads of state of Spain and Malaysia.

There have been at least 52 messages from 39 countries, foreign affairs spokesman Tharit Charungvat said.

''Remembering Princess Galyani's goodness and generosity and her many initiatives in favour of those in need, I pray that she will be granted eternal peace,'' the message from Pope Benedict XVI said.

King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia also expressed sorrow at the loss of the Princess.

''We send you our most heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy in this time of grief,'' they said.

Malaysia's King Sultan Mahmud AlMuktafi Billah Shah said Thai people had lost a truly remarkable Princess who would be fondly remembered for her kindness and countless charitable works for the less fortunate.
...
Bangkok Post : General news

Pic: The Royal Urn beneath the 7-tiered Royal Umbrella
 
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What a tragedy for the Royal Family. My deepest sympathies lie with them.
 
Marking the 15th day

His Majesty the King makes merit marking the 15th day of the funeral ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall in the Grand Palace yesterday. Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family accompanied the King

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A musical farewell

The choir members were holding light boxes, which symbolised the candles. They stopped briefly to place the light boxes in front of the picture of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, installed prominently on the stage, before heading to their places behind the orchestra.

Bach's Air is one of the most beautiful melodies ever composed, stirring emotion almost to the depth of our souls. Princess Galyani should be pleased that the Air was performed for her in this concert hall, where she was a regular member in the audience over the past decade. She loved music the most.

The concert was part of a memorable and very touching programme, called "A Requiem in Memory of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana". It was performed by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and the voices and the Thai Youth Choir with Hikataro Yazaki as conductor. The soprano soloists for the evening were Monique Klongtruadroke and Teeranai na Nongkai.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also attended. Members of the audience wore black and white mourning. It was almost a full house, and it was also a very special concert of its kind. The programme ran through without an intermission from start to finish for slightly more than an hour. In the spirit of the requiem, there was no applause.

Bangkok's Independent Newspaper
 
Over 800 Russian musicians and singers to honour HRH the late Princess Galyani

HRH the late Princess Galyani Vadhana will be honoured and remembered by four of Russia's best orchestras in the coming months.
Requiem Aeturnam for Princess Galyani was composed by Boris Tischenko- first performed in 2008 - and was commissioned by J.S. Uberoi, founder of Bangkok's International Festival of Arts & Music, to honour her memory and lifelong passion for the arts, especially classical music.
The concert series will present the requiem in four Russian cities including St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Moscow and Novosibirsk.
Full article - Bangkok Post
 
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