Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya (Thai: สิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตนราชกัญญา;[fn 1]Thai pronunciation:[sì.rì.wān.wá(ʔ).riː.]; RTGS: Siriwanwari Narirat Ratchakanya; born 8 January 1987) is a Princess of the Kingdom of Thailand and is 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 common 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]
Early life and education
Sirivannavari was born Mom Chao Busyanambejra Mahidol (Thai: บุษย์น้ำเพชร มหิดล; Thai pronunciation:[bùt.nám.pʰétmá(ʔ).hì.dōn]; RTGS: Butnamphet 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 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 the Thai entrant in the Miss Universe Thailand 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]
Honorary degrees
Chulalongkorn University – honorary Doctorate in Fine and Applied Arts, in recognition of her design skill,[12] advocacy of Thai craftsmanship, and her high-end fashion brand, Sirivannavari.[13]
^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]
