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LONDON — First, her family members were stripped of their positions — forced to stand down as army chiefs and advisers, and purged from the regime.

Then, as the net around her tightened, she found herself erased from the family photograph broadcast on the nightly news.

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Now, Princess Srirasm Suwadi of Thailand has lost her royal title, in a move that has left the country’s citizens wondering what on earth is happening in their revered royal household.

Their monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the world’s longest-reigning ruler, having sat on the throne for 64 years. Most Thais have known no other ruler, and although the 87-year-old has amassed an estimated $36-billion fortune, making him by far the world’s wealthiest monarch, he has maintained his popularity, funding schools and hospitals, and carefully managing his image to appear a man of the people.

In a country riven by political turmoil – and which is currently under military rule – he has been a constant, reassuring, father-like figure.