Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya (Thai: สิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตนราชกัญญา;[fn 1] Thai pronunciation: [sì.rì.wān.wá(ʔ).riː.]; RTGSSiriwanwari Narirat Ratchakanya; born 8 January 1987) is a Thai princess and the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn by his former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (commonly known as Yuvadhida Polpraserth). She is also the only one of their children in the line of succession and to bear royal titles. She has produced works as a fashion designer, and competed in sports as an equestrian and badminton player.[2]

Sirivannavari
Princess Sirivannavari in 2020
BornBusyanambejra Mahidol
(1987-01-08) 8 January 1987 (age 37)
Bangkok, Thailand
Names
Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya
HouseMahidol (Chakri dynasty)
FatherVajiralongkorn (Rama X)
MotherYuvadhida Polpraserth
ReligionTheravada Buddhism
Occupation
  • Fashion designer
  • athlete
Sirivannavari
Medal record
Representing  Thailand
Women's badminton
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2005 Manila Women's team
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima Women's team
Equestrian
Southeast Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2017 Kuala Lumpur Team dressage

Early life and education

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Sirivannavari was born Mom Chao Busyanambejra Mahidol (Thai: บุษย์น้ำเพชร มหิดล; Thai pronunciation: [bùt.nám.pʰét má(ʔ).hì.dōn]; RTGSButnamphet Mahidon), but later changed to Mom Chao Chakkrityapha Mahidol (Thai: จักรกฤษณ์ยาภา มหิดล), and once again to Mom Chao Sirivanvari Mahidol (Thai: สิริวัณวรี มหิดล) upon order of Queen Sirikit.[3] She has four full siblings. Following her parents' divorce in 1996, her mother moved with her siblings to the United Kingdom; her father then ordered Sirivannavari's abduction and return to Thailand.[4]

Sirivannavari graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chulalongkorn University and a master's in design from Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. She was elevated to Princess status by royal command of her grandfather, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on 15 June 2005.

Personal life

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Sirivannavari represented Thailand in badminton at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, winning a team gold.[5] In this, she follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who represented his country in international sailing events. A badminton tournament that made its debut in 2016, the Thailand Masters, bears her name.

In 2007, Sirivannavari was invited by Pierre Balmain, the French couturier, to present her fashion show in Paris. Her debut Paris collection was titled Presence of the Past, which drew on memories of her royal grandmother as well as giving a modern interpretation to traditional Thai costume.[6] The following year, she presented her own fashion show in Paris.[7] She designed a dress worn by Sophida Kanchanarin, Thailand's representative in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant.[2] YouTube personality Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, known online as Mixy Bigmouth, was subsequently threatened with prosecution under Thailand's lèse-majesté laws after describing the dress as ugly.[2]

Sirivannavari began riding horses at age nine. She trained in France at the International Moniteur d'Equitation, Le Cadre Noir de Saumur. She competed as a member of the Thai equestrian sports team in the 2013 and 2017 SEA Games.[8]

In 2008, Sirivannavari was included as 16th on the list of the "20 Hottest Young Royals", compiled by Forbes.[9]

Sirivannavari has been appointed as a specialist in the Royal Thai Army with the rank of major general, according to the royal gazette. King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced the appointment of his daughter in the latest round of military promotions that will be effective from 1 April 2023.[10] Sirivannavari was the patron of the Royal Stable Unit of the 2nd Cavalry Division, King's Guard, Royal Thai Army.[11]

Honours and symbols

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National honours

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Foreign honours

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Honorary degrees

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  • Chulalongkorn University – honorary Doctorate in Fine and Applied Arts, in recognition of her design skill,[13] advocacy of Thai craftsmanship, and her high-end fashion brand, Sirivannavari.[14]

Symbols

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Ancestry

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Notes

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  1. ^ Princess Sirivannavari does not normally use a surname, but when one is required, it may be Mahidol, but in 2017 SEA Games, Sirivannavari used the surname Vajiralongkorn.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "HRH Sirivannavari Nariratana Vajiralongkorn". KL SEA Games 2017. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (19 December 2018). "YouTube host faces charges for criticising Thai princess's Miss Universe dress". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  3. ^ ศุภวัฒย์ เกษมศรี, พลตรี หม่อมราชวงศ์, และรัชนี ทรัพย์วิจิตร. พระอนุวงศ์ชั้นหม่อมเจ้าในพระราชวงศ์จักรี – กรุงเทพ : สำนักพิมพ์บรรณกิจ, พิมพ์ครั้งที่ 3 พ.ศ. 2549. ISBN 974-221-818-8.
  4. ^ Simons, Lewis M. (19 May 2010). "Prince of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn: The Playboy". Daily Beast. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Thai Princess to Compete in Dressage at Asian Games". The Chosunilbo. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  6. ^ Shard, Sarah (13 November 2007). "Paris meets Bangkok in collection by Thai princess". ThingsAsian. AFP. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  7. ^ Fashion Week: Spring/Summer 2008.[full citation needed]
  8. ^ Turner, Paige (11 November 2019). "5 things to know about Sirivannavari Nariratana, the gifted Thai princess". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  9. ^ Streib, Lauren (27 May 2008). "The 20 Hottest Young Royals". Forbes. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  10. ^ โปรดเกล้าฯ แต่งตั้ง "สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าสิริวัณณวรี" ผู้ชำนาญการกองทัพบก พระราชทานพระยศพลตรีหญิง
  11. ^ โปรดเกล้าฯ พระราชทานพระยศ ‘พล.ต.หญิง’ สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าสิริวัณณวรีฯ... สามารถติดตามต่อได้ที่ : https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/2085350/
  12. ^ page 1803https://magyarkozlony.hu/dokumentumok/3e6e64a9bac183983dd44591077eea3314c5fd00/megtekintes#;=Sirivannavari
  13. ^ "5 things to know about gifted Thai princess Sirivannavari Nariratana". South China Morning Post. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  14. ^ "PRINCESS SIRIVANNAVARI GETS CHULA DEGREE FOR THAI DESIGN". www.khaosodenglish.com. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.

See also

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Sirivannavari
House of Mahidol
Cadet branch of the House of Chakri
Born: 8 January 1987
Lines of succession
Preceded by Line of succession to the Thai throne
3rd in line
Succeeded by
Order of precedence
Preceded by Thai order of precedence
9th position
Succeeded by