Katya & The Prince of Siam

‘What is going on in Kiev? I wish I were there even for a single day – I am really longing for it. Sometimes I feel so sad that I am almost crying, but I must not for Chakrabongse’s sake, so I pretend to be cheerful. He might feel hurt if he realised there is a shadow darkening my happiness … Already, we are both looking forward to our trip to Moscow in two years time. Chakrabongse claims he will not allow me to go to Kiev alone as he is afraid our relations might prevent me from coming back yet, if he accompanies me, he is worried as to how he will be received. It seems that his Adjutant – who also has a Russian wife – is ignored by her relatives. But I reminded him of the incident you told me about when he was referred to the authorities and he simply told them when they questioned him: “But I am Prince Chakrabongse”. So when he told me about the Adjutant, I said “Well but you are Prince Chakrabongse” and we both burst out laughing as you had done. I am happy that you appreciate him and we are both really grateful to you for our being together now …

‘Write to me how they have all taken my marriage in Kiev – I am dying to know.

‘You must understand, dear Vanya, I feel so sorry for my past and that all was over between me and Igor. If we had not parted, I should not be going to Siam now, where God only knows how I shall be greeted. Shall I survive in that climate? Sometimes I feel really frightened.’

 

She ends with a final entreaty to send her books and adds the touching postscript:, ‘Don’t forget Katya.’

A week later Katya wrote again from Cairo that they had been shopping and that suits and shirts for her husband, and ‘a lot of blouses and bonnets for me have arrived at our hotel. I can’t recognise myself when I put them on – its so unfamiliar to me.’

 

‘

Now I am alone. Chakrabongse is dining with the Russian Ambassador and I have had dinner in my room. There is too much glitter and show – all served in silver and each dish is more fancy than the one before. Even now I cannot believe my life has altered so much and, to tell the truth, I don’t feel at ease among all these dressy ladies. My life has been too simple to adjust to such a change so quickly, and although my husband is charming and is doing his best to make me happy, sometimes it is inevitable that no-one can help me.’

 

Thus while Katya’s mind could accept that Chakrabongse must leave her and go out to lunch and pay visits, her heart was hankering after the warmth and simplicity of her previous life. The language was also another major hurdle to be overcome but she reported that the Siamese ambassador has agreed to teach her Siamese, though warning he will be ‘very strict’.