Taw Phaya

Prince Edward Taw Phaya (; also known as Tun Aung, 22 March 1924 – 12 January 2019) was the Pretender to the Throne of Burma (abolished in 1885). He was the second son of Princess Myat Phaya Galay, the fourth daughter of King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat. Upon the death of his aunt Myat Phaya Lat in 1956, he became the Head of the Royal House of Konbaung.

Biography

Taw Phaya was born on 22 March 1924 in Maymyo, British Burma to Ko Ko Naing, a former monk, and Princess Myat Phaya Galay who was the fourth daughter of King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat. He attended high school at St. Patrick's High School Moulmein and St. Paul's School in Rangoon.

According to newspapers of the era, Taw Phaya was known as a prince who won prizes in swimming and running competitions. During the war, Thakin Kodaw Hmaing entrusted him, along with Taw Phaya Gyi, with traveling to Sagaing to care for his aunt Myat Phaya and her daughter Hteik Su Gyi Phaya, who were facing hardships there. Upon arriving in Yangon, Myat Phaya consulted Thakin Kodaw Hmaing regarding a marriage. She explained that before Queen Supayalat passed away, she had instructed that Taw Phaya and Hteik Su Gyi Phaya be wed, as they shared the same day of the week for their birthdays, similar to King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat. Later, during the Japanese occupation, Thakin Kodaw Hmaing personally served as a witness and conducted the engagement ceremony at his home.

On 4 May 1944, he married his first cousin, Princess Hteik Su Gyi Phaya , also known as Phaya Rita. After his mother's death, he became the head of the family and of the royal mansion in Maymyo. The Maymyo mansion was known for continuing abolished courtly traditions and royal customs. According to the writer Ludu Sein Win, who visited the residence to pay his respects, guests entering the mansion were required to approach by crawling on their knees and bowing respectfully at each stage of the encounter. The film is about Myanmar's history, but also about the descendants of the last kings of Burma who lived unassuming lives in modern Myanmar, unrecognized and unknown.

Death Taw Phaya died on 12 January 2019 at his Pyin Oo Lwin residence. After his death, his eldest son, Richard Taw Phaya could be presumed to be the Head of the Royal House of Konbaung, although no confirmation has been made since. The more politically active nephew of Taw Phaya, Soe Win is more often seen as the current pretender.

Family Taw Phaya had five sons and two daughters: Richard Taw Phaya Myat Gyi (born 14 May 1945), He married two times, he first married at Rangoon in May 1962 to Hteik Su Margaret Phaya Htwe (b. at Rangoon, 20 August 1927; d. from a brain haemorrhage, at Maymyo, 21st June, 2003), his paternal aunt, younger daughter of U Ko Ko Naing, by his wife, H.R.H. Princess (Ashin Hteik Suhpaya) Mayat Phaya Galay. m. (second) at Rangoon, 1993, Myint Myint Aye. He had issue, one son by his first wife: Maung Aung Khine (b. 1962) David Taw Phaya Myat (born 1 April 1947). Edward Taw Phaya Myat Nge (born 27 April 1948 - died 14 November 1955). Joseph Taw Phaya Myat Aye (born 19 March 1950). Paul Taw Phaya Myat Thaike (born 19 February 1954). Ann-Marie Su Phaya Lay (born 10 September 1952). Rose-Marie Su Phaya Naing (born 21 April 1956).

Ancestry