Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Princess Karthika Tirunal Lakshmibai, seniormost member of the Travnancore royal family, died in a hospital here on Sunday, palace sources said.

She was 92 and was keeping indifferent health for quite some time.

She is survived by three children.

A witness to tumultuous times, Lakshmibai had passed through several historic events including the end of the royal rule in the princely state of Travancore on the country becoming independent in 1947.

She was the sister of the last princely ruler of Travnacore Sree Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma and the present head of the family Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma.

Her husband Col Godavarma Raja, a reputed patron of sports, predeceased her 27 years ago.

Born in 1916 as daughter of Ravivarma Koithamburan and Rani Sethu Parvathibai, the princess was interested in music, literature and sports. She was well versed in Sanskrit, English and French.

She was the first member of the royal family to visit a foreign country breaking age-old ban on crossing the sea.

On hearing about her demise, people from all walks of life gathered at Kottakkakam Palace in the city, where the body was kept for the public to pay their last respects.