The Princess of Rattanakosin

King Chulalongkorn the Great had many sons and daughters, as he wished to have them assist in the administration of the kingdom. Among them was Her Royal Highness Princess Sudaratana Dibyabha, who was granted the prestigious title of Princess of Rattanakosin, akin to a duchy in Western terms. Affectionately known by the palace staff as "Toon Kramom Ying," she served as a royal secretary during King Rama V's reign, accompanying her father on royal trips and hosting foreign dignitaries. She also played a role in addressing the crises of the R.S. 112 (1893). It is said that her beauty was so striking that even her father remarked, "She is as beautiful as an angel."

The Princess of Rattanakosin, originally known as Princess Sudaratana Dibyabha Sukhumkattiya Kanlayawadi, was the 19th daughter of King Rama V. She was born to Queen Sukhumala Marasri on 14 September 1877.

King Rama V referred to her as “Luk Ying” (“Daughter”), while the palace staff addressed her as “Toon Kramom Ying” or “Toon Kramom Ying Yai” (“Eldest Royal Daughter”). She was the first high-ranking princess of the reign and the only daughter of King Rama V to be elevated to the prestigious rank of Krom Luang, a title comparable to a duchy in Western tradition. While in the West, a woman with such a title would typically be styled as the Duchess of [Place], in Thai royal traditions, the title was not altered based on gender. Her title, Princess of Rattanakosin, not only reflected her noble status but also symbolised Bangkok itself, as the name of the capital city was incorporated into her title, honouring her importance within the royal family.