The woman who was in line to be Thailand’s next queen has relinquished her royal title.
A statement issued by the palace’s Royal Gazette late Friday said that Princess Srirasm, the wife of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, had asked permission to give up her royal status.
The palace says 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej approved the request.
The statement gave no reason for the move, but it comes two weeks after Vajiralongkorn asked the government to strip several members of Srirasm’s family of their royally-issued surname after they had been detained in a police corruption probe.
Srirasm has been married to Vajiralongkorn since 2001, and the couple have one son. Vajiralongkorn is the heir to the throne.
Last month, Vajiralongkorn asked the government to strip several members of Srirasm’s family of their royally-issued surname after they had been detained along with several police officers in a corruption investigation. They are facing charges ranging from bribery to extortion and using the monarchy’s name for personal benefit.
The probe has drawn national attention in Thailand, but many questions remain unanswered primarily because of strict lese majeste laws that carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for defaming the monarchy.
The news comes at a sensitive time for the monarchy, with King Bhumibol, the world’s longest—reigning monarch, in poor health. Thailand celebrated Bhumibol’s birthday on Dec. 5, but the monarch failed to make an expected public appearance.