Valaya Alongkorn - Royal Duties

Royal Duties

Princess Alongkorn put a lot of importance on the education of Thai women. She was the patron of Rajini School, and established the other all-girls school, Rajini Bon School. She gave her own money to the Ministry of Education to build Vittayalongkorn Educational College (later Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University, Pathum Thani Province).

She was the close half-sister of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), when he succeeded the throne from King Chulalongkorn. She welcomed Royal guests from foreign countries, including the Royal families from the countries which came to join the coronation ceremony, because of her English.

When King Vajiravudh died in 1925, his younger brother, Prince Prajadhipok Sakdidej, the Prince of Sukhothai succeeded the throne from his elder brother as King Rama VII. He requested the princess, designing the dress of Princess Rambhai Barni for the coronation ceremony as the queen-to-be. The dress she designed was in the European style, was very beautiful and fascinating in the coronation ceremony. The dress made Queen Rambhai Barni the biggest attraction in the ceremony.

On 11 November 1911, King Vajiravudh gave her the royal title of "The Princess of Phetchaburi" (Krom Luang Phetchaburi Rajasirindhorn (Thai: กรมหลวงเพชรบุรีราชสิรินธร)). She was given the rank of Krom Luang, the 3rd level of the Krom ranks.

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