Kateryna Desnytska

Kateryna Desnytska, Duchess of Phitsanulok (; ; 27 April 1886 – 3 January 1960) was a Ukrainian-born nurse who became a princess as wife of the Siamese prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath. She was a participant in the Russo-Japanese War and was awarded the Cross of St. George. The royal love story between Kateryna and Chakrabongse is described in literary works and a ballet.

Early life and education Kateryna Desnytska was born on 27 April 1886 in Lutsk, Volhynian Governorate, Russian Empire (today northwestern Ukraine). Desnytska was one of 12 children born into a wealthy family. Both her parents had children from previous marriages, with four coming from her mother's first marriage; six from her father's first marriage; and their marriage together produced Kateryna and her brother Ivan. Desnytska's father was a chief judge of the Lutsk District Court, but died when she was two. Following his death, her mother sold their family property and moved to Kyiv with her children.

In Kyiv, she studied at the Fundukleyiv Women's Gymnasium, graduating in 1904; the same year her mother died.

Marriage During her time in Saint Petersburg, Desnitski became a popular socialite in Russian high society. In March 1905, she attended a grand ball hosted by Tsar Nicholas II where she met her future husband, Chakrabongse Bhuvanat.

Despite both being in love with each other, Desnitski volunteered as nurse in Manchuria where she served in the Russo-Japanese War and was awarded three medals.

Narisa maintained good relations with her cousins from the Desnitski family in Paris and St. Petersburg. Her son, Catherine's great-grandson, Hugo Chakrabongse Levy, a musician and composer, is married to Thai actress .

Honours