The Royal Lao Government was the ruling authority in the Kingdom of Laos

Kingdom of Laos

The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...

 from 1947 until the communist seizure of power in December 1975 and the proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The Franco-Lao Treaty of 1953 gave Laos full independence but the following years were marked by a rivalry between the neutralists under Prince Souvanna Phouma

Souvanna Phouma

Prince Souvanna Phouma was the leader of the neutralist faction and prime minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951–1952, 1956–1958, 1960 and 1962-1975.-Early life:...

, the right wing under Prince Boun Oum

Boun Oum

Prince Boun Oum was the son of King Ratsadanay, and was the hereditary prince of Champassack and also Prime Minister of Laos.-Early life:...

 of Champassak

Na Champassak

The Na Champassak family were former royals in Laos before the communist take-over in 1975. This surname was given by Vajiravudh, the King of Siam, for anyone who descend from Chao Yuttithammathon , the 11th king of the Kingdom of Champassak...

, and the left-wing, Lao Patriotic Front

Pathet Lao

The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...

 under Prince Souphanouvong

Souphanouvong

Prince Souphanouvong was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the “Three Princes” who represented respectively the communist , neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos...

 and future Prime Minister Kaysone Phomvihane

Kaysone Phomvihane

Kaysone Phomvihane was the leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party from 1955, though Souphanouvong served in a figurehead role...

. During this period a number of unsuccessful attempts were made to establish coalition governments.

Other members of the Royal Lao Government included:

• Prince Souphantharangsi - the secretary-general of the royal palace and brother of the king.
• Prince Bovone Vatthana - former provincial governor and half brother of the king.
• Prince Thongsouk - director of protocol of the royal palace and half brother of the king.
• Prince Souk Bouavong - former provincial governor and minister.
• Touby Lyfoung
  Touby Lyfoung
  Touby Lyfoung was a Hmong political and military leader. Born in 1917 in Nong Het, Laos, he became the first Hmong politician to achieve national prominence...
  
   - deputy Minister for telecoummunications.
• Pheng Phongsavan - Minister of Interior

After the communist takeover in 1975, the communist Pathet Lao government killed members of the Royal Lao family:

• King Savang Vatthana
  Savang Vatthana
  Savang or Sisavang Vatthana was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos. He ruled from 1959 after his father's death, until his forced abdication in 1975...
  
  ,
• Queen Khamphoui
  Khamphoui
  Queen Khamphoui was born in Luang Phrabang, Laos on July 12, 1912. She is reported to have died in a re-education camp near Sop Hao on December 12, 1981. On August 7, 1930, she married King Savang Vatthana and they had seven children, Crown Prince Vong Savang, Prince Sisavang, Prince Savang, Prince...
  
  ,
• Crown Prince Vong Savang
  Vong Savang
  Crown Prince Vong Savang was born on September 27, 1931, at the Royal Palace Luang Prabang, Laos. His father was King Savang Vatthana and mother was Queen Khamphoui. He died at the hands of the communists in a so-called "seminar camp" in Laos on May 2, 1978...
  
  , along with other former government officials, civil servants and those suspected of aiding forces that opposed the communist government.