Because Travancore knew a marumakkathayam or matrilinear form of succession, the rani of Attingal had a special position.
Travancore was united with the neighbouring Cochin state and Chithira Thirunal served as Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from 1 July 1949 to 31 October 1956, which was the entire duration of the existence of that political entity.
On 28 December 1971, Chithira Thirunal lost his privy purse and other privileges when the Indian government derecognized the rulers of the erstwhile princely states.
As a result, the titles of the erstwhile rulers were not abolished by the government; only their political powers and financial privileges were revoked.
The female head of the Travancore royal family traditionally holds the title of Maharani or Attingal Rani.