Princess Ka'iulani (Victoria Kawekiu Ka'iulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa) would qualify as Hawai'i's fairytale princess — beautiful, beguiling and beloved, she owned the hearts of all who followed her royal progress.
She was the only child of Archibald Scott Cleghorn, a successful Honolulu merchant born in Edinburgh, Scotland, who doted on his illustrious daughter, and Princess Miriam Likelike, sister of King David Kalakaua.
As heir-apparent to Queen Lili'uokalani, who was her aunt, Ka'iulani represented the monarchy's last hope.
Ka'iulani dazzled the kingdom with her talent and abilities. She was a horsewoman and swimmer as well as an artist, musician and linguist. She so charmed author Robert Louis Stevenson that he wrote her a poem.
From her godmother, Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani, Ka'iulani inherited 10 acres of Waikiki splendor known as 'Ainahau, where the princess spent most of her life.
The stately property featured cypress trees, ponds and exotic birds, from which the princess became known as "The Princess of the Peacocks."
As with other aspects of Hawai'i's royal history, the princess' storybook life ended tragically after the fall of the monarchy. After a two-month illness, Ka'iulani died at 'Ainahau on March 6, 1899, at age 23.
