| Princess Suddhanarinatha | |
| Birth Name: | Soamsawali Kitiyakara |
| Birth Date: | 13 July 1957 |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Issue: | Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra |
| Father: | Adulakit Kitiyakara |
| Mother: | Bandhusavali Kitiyakara |
| Religion: | Theravada Buddhism |
Princess Soamsawali of Thailand, the Princess Suddhanarinatha (Thai: โสมสวลี,, in Thai pronounced as /sǒːm.sā.wā.līː/), born Mom Luang Soamsawali Kitiyakara (Thai: โสมสวลี กิติยากร; ; on 13 July 1957), is a member of the Thai royal family, and is the former wife of her first cousin King Vajiralongkorn. She was titled "the Princess Mother of the King's First Grandchild" after her divorce from the then crown prince in 1991. She is also a niece of Queen Sirikit.
Princess Soamsawali was born on 13 July 1957 at Guy's Hospital in London, United Kingdom, as the eldest child of Mom Rajawongse Adulyakit Kitiyakara (an elder brother of Queen Sirikit) and Princess Bandhu Savali Yugala. She has one younger sister, Mom Luang Sarali Kitiyakara (born 8 April 1966).
Her father was the second child of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, the 2nd Prince of Chanthaburi and Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs. Her mother was the daughter of Prince Bhanubandhu Yugala and Mom Luang Soiraya Snidvongs.
She first attended the primary level at Chitralada School, then moved to Chiang Mai with her father when he was a judge at the Chiang Mai Court. She moved to study at Regina Coeli College, the all-girls academy in Chiang Mai in 1967.
On 3 January 1977, at the age of 19, she married her first cousin, Maha Vajiralongkorn, the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. After their marriage, her official title became Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, Royal Consort of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand (Thai: พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าโสมสวลี พระวรชายาในสมเด็จพระบรมโอรสาธิราชฯ สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร). The couple had one daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand, born on 7 December 1978. The marriage ended in divorce in 1991.
After her divorce from the crown prince, the king, by royal proclamation, gave her a new title on 12 August 1991. Her official full title became Phra Worarachathinatdamat (Thai: พระวรราชาทินัดดามาตุ), meaning the mother of the king's first grandchild (translated into English as The Princess Mother of the King's First Grandchild). She thus retained her title as princess and remains a member of the Thai royal family.[1] In 2019, she was granted a new title and the higher rank of "Krom Ma Meun" by King Vajiralongkorn.[2]
Princess Soamsawali has an adopted daughter, Siraphatchara Sophatcharamani or Bai Phlu.[3] [4] [5]
On August 27, 2018, Princess Soamsawali was admitted to the Chulalongkorn Hospital for treatment of a swollen shin of the right leg, which was diagnosed as a tissue infection. Her condition improved after being receiving medication until she experienced weakness in her right hand.[6] In 2019, she suffered a brain hemorrhage and was admitted to Chulalongkorn Hospital for medical treatment.[7]
In her youth, she participated in her first television drama on Channel 4, in the role of Naang Phimphilaai in the drama Bang Khun Phrom Khun Chang Khun Phaen. She also appeared as a child actor in the film Nam Phueng Khom in 1974, and was part of the cast for the stage play Chalerm Phra Kiat Somdet Phra Chao Sirikit Phra Borom Ratchini Nat during the celebration of the centenary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birth. Additionally, she performed in two stage plays: Raksa Pha and after her marriage was dissolved with the former royal consort, she performed in the stage drama Koh Sawan together with Bajrakitiyabha, and Mom Luang Sarali Kitiyakara, Phra Khun Sitthikanya Kitiyakorn.[8] [9]
In 2014, she engaged in a stage play Su Si Thai How The Musical, assuming the character of Nang Niu Huu, who serves as the mother of Su Si Thai. This involvement aimed to generate income for contributions to the Foundation for the Welfare of the Destitute (FWD).[10] In that same year, she also graced the television screen, taking on a role in the Channel 7 series Rak Rae, portraying Pramotjit.[11] Continuing her artistic pursuits, in 2016, she participated in the stage play Man Prapeni Prakasit Ayasawakhun, portraying the role of the goddess Sawankhaboriharn.[12] [13]
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| Princess Soamsawali of Thailand | |
| Size: | 150px |
| Reference: | Her Royal Highness |
| Spoken: | Your Royal Highness |
Since her divorce, Princess Soamsawali has performed many functions on behalf of the royal household. She has shown keen interest in public health and social welfare. The following Thai Red Cross Society programs are under her patronage:
Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (29 February 1984).[15]
Spain: Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (13 November 1987).[17]
JapanMember First Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (26 September 1991).[18]
Netherlands: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (19 January 2004).[19]}
