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In pictures: Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies at age 47

Fan Wang
Reuters Princess Bajrakitiyabha of ThailandReuters
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn

Thailand's royal household has announced the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, at the age of 47.

She had been in a coma for three and a half years after collapsing while exercising her dogs.

She was the most visibly accomplished member of the royal family, a lawyer and one-time Thai ambassador to Austria, who pushed for reforms to her country's criminal justice system.

She was close to her father. And although King Vajiralongkorn, who is 73 years old, has not yet named an heir, she might have played an important role in a future royal succession.

AFP via Getty Images A mourner weeps while holding a photo of Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol in front of Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok on June 12, 2026AFP via Getty Images
A mourner cries while holding a photo of Princess Bajrakitiyabha in front of Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok on 12 June.
AFP via Getty Images Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn talks to Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol as they greet royalist supporters outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on November 1, 2020 after a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple inside the palaceAFP via Getty Images
Princess Bajrakitiyabha talks to her father, King Vajiralongkorn, as they greet supporters outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on 1 November 2020.
Getty Images King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, and Princess Bajrakitiyabha arrive together by car at the Grand Palace on 1 November 2020Getty Images
Princess Bajrakitiyabha waves to the crowd while riding a car with her father, King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida.
NurPhoto via Getty Images Princess Bajrakitiyabha cycles during the cycling event 'Bike for Dad' in Bangkok, Thailand on December 11, 2015NurPhoto via Getty Images
Princess Bajrakitiyabha takes part in a cycling event in Bangkok in honour of her grandfather, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in December 2015.
AFP via Getty Images Sri Lankan Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe (L) smiles next to Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand after their speech on September 14, 2009 on the opening day of the 12th United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council session at the UN offices in GenevaAFP via Getty Images
Princess Bajrakitiyabha attends a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva in September 2009.