Have you ever dreamt of finding love on vacation, only to discover your soulmate is a prince? That’s exactly what happened to Jane Gillespie in the 1970s.
Jane, an Australian kindergarten teacher, was on a trip to Bali with her mother when she met Prince Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa of the Ubud Royal Family. Their chance encounter blossomed into love, and despite Jane’s background, they decided to get married.
Marrying a prince isn’t all tiaras and carriages. To become part of the royal family, Jane embraced Balinese traditions. This included adopting the name Princess Jero Asri Kerthyasa ("Jero" meaning "from the palace" and "Asri" meaning "perfect") and converting to Hinduism, the religion of Bali.
While Bali is a republic officially, the royal family holds a special place as the guardians of the Hindu faith [Indonesia Expat]. Jane’s acceptance of these traditions showed her commitment to her new life and her love for the Prince.
This real-life fairytale captured hearts around the world. Jane’s story has been featured in articles [Women’s Weekly] and even a Youtube video [YouTube].
Today, Princess Jero Asri Kerthyasa is a respected member of the Balinese community. She runs a popular cafe and continues to be an ambassador for Bali’s rich culture and traditions.
