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
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