Remembering a much loved princess
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra
6 May, 1923 - 2 January, 2008
Her Royal Highness the Princess Galyani Vadhana was a much loved Princess. She was also a much loved elder sister to two Kings, namely His Majesty King Anada Mahidol (Rama VIII) and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra was born in London on Sunday, May 6, B.E. 2466 (1923). She was the first child and the only daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla and Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani. Her father was a son of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and the younger brother of Their Majesties King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and King Prachahipok (Rama VII).
After her birth, King Rama VI bestowed upon her the name “Galyani Vadhana”, with her title at birth being Her Serene Highness (Mom Chao). King Rama VII elevated her title in B.E. 2470 to that of Her Highness (Phra Vorawong Thoe Phra Ong Chao) Galyani Vadhana, to signify that she was a grandchild of a king. Having attained the sixth cycle of birth (72 years of age) in B.E. 2538 (1995), she was invested with the rank of Somdet Phra Chao Phinang Thoe Chao Fa Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhivas Rajanagarindra and became the first Celestial Princess of Krom rank (Chao Fa Tang Krom) in the reign of her younger brother His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Princess Galyani Vadhana graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (Diplôme de Chimiste A). After graduation, Her Royal Highness pursued social science, education, literature and philosophy with great enthusiasm.
Princess Galyani Vadhana was one of the hardest working member of the Royal Family. She normally went about her work quietly and without much fuss. Wha
tever she did, she did with her heart. She took for herself a work load that could be indescribable to some. She was head of over 60 organizations and she looked after each one herself, and with full knowledge and concentration. Her workloads could rival that of the King and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. After her mother's passing, she took over most of the charities and organizations that was her mother's as well, with full knowledge as she used to accompany the Princess Mother on her trips to the rural areas.
In recent decades, Princess Galyani Vadhana supported and continued the work of her mother, the Princess Mother, as well as initiated many of her own public health, social, educational, and cultural programs and activities, serving as patron of the Volunteer Doctors, the Thanyarak Breast Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of Thailand, the Foundation for Slum Child Care, and many other organizations. Her love of the arts is evident in her patronage of musical events and her support of musical education. Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra contributed immensely to the health and well-being of the Thai people, and to the education and the cultural and artistic life of the nation. Her Royal Highness is a truly distinguished member of the Royal Family, and one who is justly honored and revered.
Princess Galyani Vadhana has also received numberous citations and awards from governments and organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for her work in education and her support of the arts and culture.
Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, Thailand, is a unique conservatory of music with a contemporary approach to classical music. Initiated in 2007 as a royal project celebrating the occasion of the 84th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. The Princess has graciously gave her name to the new endeavour, the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music or PGVIM.
Following her royal vision to educate new audiences as well as developing an international standard for Thai musicians, through our Youth Orchestra, Community Choir, Education Populaire and Audience Development Project, the institute aims to create platforms for students, musicians, professionals and general audiences in order to exchange their musical experiences, make dialogues and share their love of music together.
The Institute’s goal is to be a leading international conservatory of music, with our mission to develop young talents, our creatively designed curriculum shall provide the opportunities for the students to learn the skill of music making while developing their understanding of music as a tool for an advancement of man and harmony of society. Starting from 2014 the Institute will recruit 30 qualified students per year, alongside with our many activities aim to promote deeper understanding of classical music, within the contemporary context of the World.
Royal funeral of His Majesty King Bhumibol’s late sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana
Thais had the opportunity to witness the royal funeral procession of His Majesty King Bhumibol’s late sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, and bid farewell last Saturday, 14 November, 2008.
The Thai word for the death of a monarch is sawannakhot, which means ``return to heaven''. The deceased royal personage goes back to the Dawadungsa level of heaven, above Mount Meru, the centre of the universe, which was surrounded by other mountains, where he or she resides before being incarnated into the mortal world. It is a feature of Thai "jareetpraphenee" - a tradition that must always be observed without change - that an elaborate funeral pyre called Phra Merumas be built for a Royal Cremation.
The first royal funeral since The King’s mother The Princess Mother Srinagarindra was cremated, was composed of over 3000 soldiers, conch shell-blowers, drummers and musicians. The two-century-old sweet-smelling sandalwood golden teak urn held HRH Princess Galyani’s remains in an upright position on top of an elaborately decorated 14-ton golden carriage Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot. Over 3 processions, the Princess’ Royal Urn was transferred from the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to the Royal Cremation Ground at Sanam Luang. On the following three days, three more processions transfer part of the Royal Relics and Ashes to Phra Viman in the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and another part to Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram.
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana’s lifetime dedication to Thai people’s welfare, arts and education, has left a deep impression in many hearts.
Sources
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Princess Naradhiwas: Remembering a much loved princess.
