Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand has passed away after a three-year coma, the Royal Household Bureau announced this morning. The princess, 44, suffered a severe cardiac episode while jogging in Bangkok in December 2022 and never regained consciousness. Her death marks the end of a vigil that captivated the nation, where prayers were continuously held outside King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
The British royal family, expressing deep sorrow, has sent a private message of condolence to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, highlighting the longstanding ties between the two kingdoms. The princess, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former diplomat, was widely regarded as a potential successor to the throne, making her passing a significant moment for Thailand's monarchy. As the kingdom enters a period of mourning, questions about succession loom, though official protocols remain tightly guarded.
