Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya Awarded Italy's Highest Honour

Key summary

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The decoration was presented by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the presidential palace. As the highest class of the order, the award recognizes the Princess's significant contributions to promoting Italian art, culture, and creativity globally, specifically through fashion, design, and craftsmanship. Her skill in integrating Italian knowledge, materials, traditional techniques, and artisan expertise into her creations was also cited as a reason for the honour. Historically, Italy's then-president Giovanni Gronchi requested royal permission in 1960 to confer the Knight Grand Cross on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great.