Maha Vajirunhis, Crown Prince of Siam (Thai: มหาวชิรุณหิศ; RTGS: Maha Wachirunnahit; 27 June 1878 – 4 January 1895) was the first Crown Prince of the Chakri dynasty. He was the first son of King Chulalongkorn and Queen Savang Vadhana together, who were half-siblings.
The King built a palace for the Prince, nicknamed Windsor Palace. The European-style palace was demolished after his death. The site is now occupied by the National Stadium of Thailand.
Contents
Heir apparent
In 1886, after the death of the last Viceroy, Wichaichan, King Chulalongkorn chose not to appoint one of his brothers as the new Viceroy, but instead appointed his eldest son as the Crown Prince of Siam. On 14 January 1886, he was officially introduced to his position with the title of Sayam Makutratchakuman, or Crown Prince of Siam. From this appointment Sir Ernest Mason Satow, the British ambassador to Thailand, brought a telegraph of congratulations from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Private interests
Prince Vajirunhis was interested in the liberal arts, writing daily in a diary he was given by his father at the age of five. He wrote many poems. One, written for his father on 25 October 1888, is below:
Death
He died unexpectedly of typhoid fever at age 16, long before he could reach the throne. King Chulalongkorn's second son, Prince Vajiravudh, was then named crown prince, and succeeded him as Rama VI in 1910.
Titles, honours and symbols
Titles and styles
27 June 1878 – 13 January 1887 : His Royal Highness Prince Maha Vajirunhis (สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกยาเธอ เจ้าฟ้ามหาวชิรุณหิศ Somdet Phra Chao Luk Ya Ther Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis)
14 January 1887 – 4 January 1896 : His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis (สมเด็จพระบรมโอรสาธิราช เจ้าฟ้ามหาวชิรุณหิศ สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร Somdet Phra Boromma Orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis Sayammakutratchkuman)
23 October 1910 - 2 March 1935 : His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis, the Royal Prince Elder Brother (สมเด็จพระบรมเชษฐาธิราช เจ้าฟ้ามหาวชิรุณหิศ สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร Somdet Phra Boromma Chetthathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis Sayammakutratchkuman)
2 March 1935 - Present : His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis, the Royal Prince Uncle (สมเด็จพระบรมราชปิตุลาธิบดี เจ้าฟ้ามหาวชิรุณหิศ สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร Somdet Phra Boromma Ratchapitulathibodi Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis Sayammakutratchkuman)
Royal decorations
1882: Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri
1886: Knight of Order of the Nine Gems
1886: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
1896: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant (First Class)
unknown: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (First Class)
Foreign honors
France :
1892 - Khight Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour