Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the elder sister of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died after spending three years in a coma. She was 72. The princess, who had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed medical condition, passed away at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. Her health had been in decline since she fell into a coma following a sudden illness in 2020.
The Thai royal palace confirmed the news in a statement, expressing deep sorrow and announcing a period of official mourning. The princess had been a prominent figure in Thai society, known for her charitable work and her unusual journey from royalty to civilian life. She relinquished her royal titles in 1972 to marry an American, Peter Ladd Jensen, but later returned to Thailand after their divorce. She subsequently re-entered public life, taking on philanthropic roles and even starring in films.
The news of her death has sent shockwaves through Thailand, where the monarchy is deeply revered. Across social media, Thais have been posting tributes, many using the hashtag #PrincessUbolratana. The government has declared a period of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.
International condolences have poured in, with the British royal family leading the way. Queen Elizabeth II, in a message to King Vajiralongkorn, expressed her “deepest sympathy” and recalled the princess’s “warmth and devotion to charitable causes.” The Queen said she was “saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved sister” and that her thoughts were with the Thai people during this time of grief. Prince Charles also sent a personal message to the King, describing the princess as “a woman of remarkable grace and resilience.”
The UK’s expression of condolence is significant, given the historical ties between the two monarchies. The Thai royal family has long maintained close connections with the British royals, dating back to King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Britain in 1897. More recently, Prince Andrew attended the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn in 2019.
Princess Ubolratana’s life was a tapestry of competing narratives: a princess who chose love over throne, a mother who mourned the loss of her son, and a philanthropist who dedicated herself to helping the underprivileged. Her son, Bhumi Jensen, died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a tragedy from which she never fully recovered. She channelled her grief into charity work, founding the 'Miracle of Life' foundation to help children with cancer.
In 2019, she made a controversial foray into politics, briefly running for prime minister. The move was swiftly blocked by her brother, the King, who issued a statement saying that her candidacy was “inappropriate” and against the constitution. It was a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics of the Thai monarchy, where the line between royal privilege and political power is finely drawn.
Her death now leaves a void in the royal family. The King, who lost his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016, has now lost his only sister. The princess’s daughter, Ploypailin Jensen, and son-in-law, have been by her side throughout her illness. In her final years, the princess had been largely absent from public view, her coma marking a quiet end to a life lived in the spotlight.
Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws mean public discussion of the monarchy is heavily censored. Yet, within the confines of what can be said, the princess is being remembered as a figure who broke moulds. She was a royal who lived among commoners, a celebrity who used her status to raise awareness for social issues. Her life, in many ways, encapsulated the tension between tradition and modernity that defines Thailand today.
As the nation mourns, the world watches. The UK royal family’s condolences serve as a reminder of the enduring bond between two kingdoms, each navigating their own paths through the 21st century. For Thailand, the loss of Princess Ubolratana is not just the passing of a royal; it is the fading of a symbol of change.
