Suvadhana
Encyclopedia
Princess Phra Nang Chao Suvadhana ' onMouseout='HidePop("42289")' href="/topics/Royal_Thai_General_System_of_Transcription">RTGS:
—Suwatthana—) was the royal consort of King Vajiravudh
(or Rama VI) of Siam. Her former name was Krueakaew Abhaiwongse ' onMouseout='HidePop("65090")' href="/topics/Royal_Thai_General_System_of_Transcription">RTGS:
—Khruea-kaeo Aphaiwong—). She was born a commoner on 15 April 1906. Her father was Phraya (a Thai noble rank) Abhayabhupesa (Lueam Abhaiwongse) and her mother was Ms. Lek Bunnag.
. Although King Vajiravudh initiated many Siamese nationalistic policies of the 1920s, his queen Suvadhana was of Khmer descent of Phratabong province (Battambang
). Suvadhana's grand aunt, Khun Chom Iem Busba, was the wife of HM King Norodom I of Cambodia. When Suvadhana became pregnant in 1925, the King elevated her rank to that of Princess Consort
Phra Nang Chao Suvadhana (H.R.H. Suvadhana, Princess Consort of Siam). Not soon after the King fell gravely ill, on the 24 November 1925, Suvadhana gave birth to a daughter: Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana
. She became the king's only child. The king died only two days later. Princess Bejaratana is first cousin with HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin with HM King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
. In 1938, as war looms, the Princess and her daughter emigrated to the United Kingdom
, following the example of Prajadhipok who went in exile there in 1935. First she lived at Fairhill Villa in Camberley
, Surrey
, she later moved to Brighton
. During the Second World War the Princess volunteered for the British Red Cross
, donating winter clothes and other equipments to British soldiers; she later received a letter of recommendation from the organization. She would spend 22 years in England
, she made her own living by investing in stocks and bonds; living a comfortable lifestyle with Thai servants.
permanently in 1957. They bought some land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and build the Ruenruedi Villa Palace, where the Princess Bejaratana
still resides. During her later years she carried out many royal duties and became patron of many charitable organizations. Suvadhana died at Siriraj Hospital on the 10 October 1985 at the age of 79, her funeral was presided over by King Bhumibol Adulyadej
(or Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit
.
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
—Suwatthana—) was the royal consort of King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
(or Rama VI) of Siam. Her former name was Krueakaew Abhaiwongse ' onMouseout='HidePop("65090")' href="/topics/Royal_Thai_General_System_of_Transcription">RTGS:
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
—Khruea-kaeo Aphaiwong—). She was born a commoner on 15 April 1906. Her father was Phraya (a Thai noble rank) Abhayabhupesa (Lueam Abhaiwongse) and her mother was Ms. Lek Bunnag.
Life and marriage
Kruakeaw first met King Vajiravudh in 1924 during a dramatic production, in which they both acted. Soon after, Krueakaew was renamed Suvadhana and elevated to the rank of a minor consort. Later that same year they were married at the Grand Palace in BangkokBangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. Although King Vajiravudh initiated many Siamese nationalistic policies of the 1920s, his queen Suvadhana was of Khmer descent of Phratabong province (Battambang
Battambang
Battambang is the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.Battambang is the second-largest city in Cambodia with a population of over 250,000. Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country...
). Suvadhana's grand aunt, Khun Chom Iem Busba, was the wife of HM King Norodom I of Cambodia. When Suvadhana became pregnant in 1925, the King elevated her rank to that of Princess Consort
Princess consort
Princess consort is a title or an informal designation normally given to the wife of a sovereign prince. Since a male sovereign ruler is generally titled as a king and not a prince, the title of princess consort is not widely used. More rarely, it may be given to the spouse of a king, if the more...
Phra Nang Chao Suvadhana (H.R.H. Suvadhana, Princess Consort of Siam). Not soon after the King fell gravely ill, on the 24 November 1925, Suvadhana gave birth to a daughter: Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana
Bejaratana
Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand was the only daughter of the late King Vajiravudh of Thailand...
. She became the king's only child. The king died only two days later. Princess Bejaratana is first cousin with HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin with HM King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
Exile in England
The Princess and her daughter continued to lived at the Dusit Palace, raising her daughter during the reign of her husband's younger brother King PrajadhipokPrajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
. In 1938, as war looms, the Princess and her daughter emigrated to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, following the example of Prajadhipok who went in exile there in 1935. First she lived at Fairhill Villa in Camberley
Camberley
Camberley is a town in Surrey, England, situated 31 miles southwest of central London, in the corridor between the M3 and M4 motorways. The town lies close to the borders of both Hampshire and Berkshire; the boundaries intersect on the western edge of the town where all three counties...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, she later moved to Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
. During the Second World War the Princess volunteered for the British Red Cross
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society is the United Kingdom branch of the worldwide impartial humanitarian organisation the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with over 31,000 volunteers and 2,600 staff. At the heart of their work...
, donating winter clothes and other equipments to British soldiers; she later received a letter of recommendation from the organization. She would spend 22 years in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, she made her own living by investing in stocks and bonds; living a comfortable lifestyle with Thai servants.
Return and later life
The Princess and her daughter returned to ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
permanently in 1957. They bought some land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and build the Ruenruedi Villa Palace, where the Princess Bejaratana
Bejaratana
Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand was the only daughter of the late King Vajiravudh of Thailand...
still resides. During her later years she carried out many royal duties and became patron of many charitable organizations. Suvadhana died at Siriraj Hospital on the 10 October 1985 at the age of 79, her funeral was presided over by King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
(or Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit
Sirikit
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
.
Titles and Styles
- 15 April 1905 - ? April 1924 : Miss Krueakaew Abhaiwongse
- ? April 1924 - 10 August 1924 : Miss Suvadhana Abhaiwongse
- 10 August 1924 – 11 October 1925 : Royal High Consort Suvadhana
- 11 October 1925 – 16 November 1925 : Her Royal Highness Princess Suvadhana, Princess Consort
- 16 November 1925 – 10 October 1985 : Her Royal Highness Princess Suvadhana, Royal Consort of HM King Vajiravudh