King Kalakaua named Lydia Paki as his heir apparent, with the death of his brother, on April 10, 1877. He gave her the title of Crown Princess Lili’uokalani. Princess Lili’uokalani acted as regent during King Kalakaua’s world tour in 1881. Her mettle as a leader was tested when there was an outbreak of smallpox in Honolulu. She immediately closed the port and restricted communication and travel between the islands. She was criticized for her actions, but the epidemic was contained.[1]It seemed that her brother was less than pleased about the accolades for the way she handled the realm in his absence…a little jealousy, perhaps?
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| Princess Liliuokalani and Queen Kapiolani at Queen Victoria's Jubilee |
Another important event happened during her years as princess. She and Queen Kapiolani attended Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebration in London in 1887. At the ceremony in Westminster Abbey they were fifth and sixth in rank of the royalty in attendance. At the banquet that night at Buckingham Palace, Lili’uokalani went in to dinner on the arm of the Duke of Edinburgh, while Queen Kapiolani was escorted by the Prince of Wales.[2]
It was intended that they would embark on a royal trip around Europe at the end of the Jubilee, but they received word that dire events had taken place at home. The foreign business community had revolted and forced the king to relinquish his powers by signing the “Bayonet Constitution.” This act put a nail in the coffin of the grand Hawaiian Monarchy.
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