4 things to know about Thai princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the royal excelling in fashion and sport

Tatler once described her as a real-life fairytale figure, exceptional in pursuits ranging from dressage to design.

Here are four lesser-known facts about the 38-year-old princess.

1. Only daughter of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse

She is the only daughter of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his former consort, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. According to the South China Morning PostSujarinee later became the king’s second wife, but their two-year marriage ended in divorce after he accused her of adultery.

Following the separation, Sujarinee left Thailand for Britain with her five children. The princess, however, was ordered to return and was brought back to Thailand, while her mother and brothers later settled in the U.S.

2. Fashion designer with sustainability focus

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has built an international fashion career that blends royal heritage with creative independence. She is the founder and creative director of her eponymous fashion label, Sirivannavari.

Her entry onto the global fashion stage came early. In 2004, she showcased a collection from her label as a guest designer at Milan Fashion Week. Three years later, in 2007, she made her Paris Fashion Week debut after being invited by Pierre Balmain to present her work, an exceptional opportunity for a 20-year-old fashion undergraduate.

Chulalongkorn University in 2009, before spending a year in Paris in 2010 to further her studies and deepen her exposure to the fashion industry, according to Daily Mail.

A decade into her career, Sirivannavari began incorporating more personal storytelling into her designs. One notable collection, “Horse, Helen and Henri,” was inspired by one of her own love poems. “It’s a tale of yearning between a young military officer and a farm girl – all facilitated by the titular horse, who carries the wounded soldier into the farm girl’s arms,” she said.

Her passion for fashion is rooted in family influence. She has often cited her late grandmother, Queen Sirikit, whom she describes as a “true icon,” as a key source of inspiration, while her father, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is also seen as shaping her confidence and individuality.

By 2018, she had become a prominent fashion figure in her own right, appearing on the covers of Vogue Thailand and Elle Thailandand being featured in Hong Kong Tatler. That year, she was also a regular presence at Paris Fashion Week, attending shows by major fashion houses such as Christian Dior and Chanel.

In recent years, the princess has expanded her influence beyond design. In May 2025, she launched a Sirivannavari pop-up store in Paris and gave interviews to leading international fashion publications including WWD and Elle, according to Nation Thailand.

She has also emerged as a vocal advocate for sustainable fashion and the development of Thai textiles, presenting on global product development and sustainability at an academic symposium in Bangkok in August 2025.

Her commitment to preserving and modernizing Thai craftsmanship was further underscored by the release of her book, “Thai Textiles Trend Book Autumn/Winter 2025–2026”, which outlines her vision for bringing Thai textiles onto the global fashion stage.

Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana appears in a dress from her own fashion label at an event in December 2025. Photo from Instagram/@hrhsirivannavari

3. Composer and music patron

Beyond fashion, Princess Sirivannavari is an accomplished composer. She has written music for the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, which has performed her compositions at her fashion shows since 2016, Bangkok Post reported. Each collection is accompanied by a custom musical score tailored to its theme.

She has composed six works for the orchestra, including Nefreretta, performed at her Spring/Summer 2021 show. During King Vajiralongkorn’s coronation celebrations in 2019, the orchestra performed four of her compositions at the National Theater.

She also serves as director and chair of the orchestra’s Artistic Committee.

Princess Sirivannavari took up horse riding at the age of nine. Photo from Instagram/@hrhsirivannavari

4. Equestrian and badminton athlete

The princess began riding horses at the age of nine and later became an international dressage competitor with Thailand’s equestrian team. She represented the country at events including the 2013 Southeast Asian Games and founded the Princess’s Cup Thailand to promote equestrian sports nationwide.

“I train six days a week, I’ll ride three horses for an hour each. I’ve had injuries. I’ve broken my leg, I have a screw in my left foot, but I have never given up. I put all my efforts into achieving my goals,” she told Tatler.

n addition, she once competed professionally in badminton and helped her team secure a gold medal at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. In recognition of her contribution to the sport, a tournament was named after her in 2016: the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters.