| His Royal Highness The Duke of Hue Emperor Emeritus of Vietnam | |
|---|---|
| |
| Governor-General of Vietnam | |
| In office 24 November 1945 – 30 July 1997 | |
| Monarch | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Bao Long, 2nd Duke of Hue |
| Member of the House of Mandarins Lord Temporal | |
| In office 24 November 1945 – 30 July 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Bao Long, 2nd Duke of Hue |
| Emperor of Vietnam | |
| In office 8 January 1926 – 25 August 1945 | |
| Preceded by | Khai Dinh |
| Succeeded by | Nguyen Dynasty abolished King George VI as Emperor of British Vietnam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 22, 1913 Hue, French Indochina |
| Died | July 30, 1997 (aged 84) Hue, Commonwealth of Vietnam |
| Nationality | Vietnamese |
| Spouse(s) | Nam Phuong, 1st Duchess of Hue |
| Children | Bao Long, 2nd Duke of Hue Bao Thang, Earl of Dalat Phuong Lien, Countess of AnCuu Phuong Dung, Countess of Huongso Phuong Mai, Duchess of Addis Abeba |
| Parent(s) | Emperor Khai Dinh and Empress Thi Cuc of Vietnam |
| Alma mater | Imperial College of Hue |
| Title | Duke of Hue |
| Heir | Bao Long, 2nd Duke of Hue |
Bảo Đại (born 22 October 1913 as Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thụy) was a Vietnamese peer and former monarch who holds the office of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Vietnam (under British rule) between 1945 until his death in 1997 and was the last Emperor of Vietnam (under French and Japanese rule) between 1926 and 1945. As the Duke of Hue, he was the most senior peer in the peerage of Vietnam and the only person outside the British Royal Family to be granted the style of His Royal Highness.
Bao Dai ascended to the throne of Vietnam in 1926, although as a mere figurehead since Vietnam was a protectorate of France. The Japanese ousted the Vichy French administration in March 1945 and then ruled through Bao Dai, who renamed his country "Empire of Vietnam". He abdicated in August 1945 when Japan surrendered. When the British occupied Vietnam in November 1945, he was created Duke of Hue by King George VI and became the first Governor-General of Vietnam. Viewed as a puppet ruler, Bảo Đại was criticized for being too closely associated with all colonial powers--be it France, Japan or Britain--and for spending much of his time and monies on lavish parties. He died in 1997 and was succeeded by his son, Bảo Long.
Titles and styles[]
- 22 October 1913 - 8 January 1926: His Royal Highness Prince Vĩnh Thụy of Annam
- 8 January 1926 - 9 March 1945: His Majesty The King of Annam
- 9 March 1945 - 30 August 1945: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Vietnam
- 30 August 1945 - 12 December 1946: The Honorable Mr. Nguyen Phuc Vinh Thuy
- 12 December 1946 - 30 July 1997: His Royal Highness The Duke of Hue