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Princess consort of Siam | |
Tenure | 11 October 1925 –26 November 1925 |
Born | Khrueakaeo Abhayavongsa (1905-04-15)15 April 1905 Bangkok,Siam |
Died | 10 October 1985(1985-10-10) (aged 79) Bangkok, Thailand |
Spouse | |
Issue | PrincessBejaratana |
House |
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Father | Lueam Abhayavongsa |
Mother | Lek Bunnag |
Signature | ![]() |
Princess Suvadhana (Thai:สุวัทนา;RTGS: Suwatthana, 15 April 1905 – 10 October 1985) was the royal consort of KingVajiravudh (or Rama VI) ofSiam. Her original name wasKhrueakaeo Abhayavongsa (Thai:เครือแก้ว อภัยวงศ์;RTGS: Khruea-kaeo Aphaiwong). She was born a commoner; her father was Lord Abhayabhupesa (Lueam Abhayavongsa) and her mother was Ms. Lek Bunnag.
Khrueakaeo first met King Vajiravudh in 1924 during a dramatic production, in which they both acted. Soon after, Khrueakaeo was renamed Suvadhana and elevated to the rank of a minor consort. Later that same year they were married at theGrand Palace inBangkok. Although King Vajiravudh initiated many Siamese nationalistic policies of the 1920s, his queen Suvadhana was a daughter of the Thai governor ofPhratabong province (Battambang). Suvadhana's grand aunt, Khun Chom Iem Busba, was the wife ofKing Norodom I of Cambodia.[1][2]
When Suvadhana became pregnant in 1925, the King elevated her rank to that ofPhra Nang Chao Suvadhana (HRH Princess Suvadhana, Princess Consort of Siam;Thai:พระนางเจ้าสุวัทนา พระวรราชเทวี) to preserve the rank of the royal child,who was going to be delivered, asChao Fa with style ofRoyal Highness. Not soon after the King fell gravely ill, on the 25 November 1925, Suvadhana gave birth to a daughter, PrincessBejaratana Rajasuda who was the only child of the King.
The Princess and her daughter continued to live at theDusit Palace, raising her daughter during the reign of her husband's younger brother KingPrajadhipok. In 1938, as war loomed, the Princess and her daughter emigrated to theUnited Kingdom, following the example of Prajadhipok who went in exile there in 1935. First she lived at Fairhill Villa inCamberley,Surrey, she later moved toBrighton. During theSecond World War the Princess volunteered for theBritish 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 inEngland, she made her own living by investing in stocks and bonds; living a comfortable lifestyle with Thai servants.
The Princess and her daughter returned toThailand permanently in 1957. They bought some land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and build the Ruenruedi Villa Palace. 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 80, her funeral was presided over by KingBhumibol Adulyadej (or Rama IX) and QueenSirikit.
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