The Royal Competition officially begins with the Test of Wit round, where each heir answers questions and the Emmalians vote for who they believe should win.
In episode 11 of The Next Prince, which aired on July 12, 2025, the competing heirs—Prince Khanin, Prince Ramil, and Princess Ava—face off in the first round of the Royal Competition: the Test of Wit. Each answers a question tied to pressing national issues, including domestic abuse, gender equality, economic growth, and the air pollution crisis.
The series features Zee Pruk Panich as Charan, NuNew Chawarin Perdpiriyawong as Prince Khanin, Jimmy Karn Kritsanaphan as Prince Ramil, Ohm Thanakrit Chiamchunya as Paytai, Net Siraphop Manithikhun as Prince Calvin, JJ Radchapon Phornpinit as Jay, and Kris Charintip Rungthanakiat as Princess Ava.
Set in the prosperous monarchy of Emmaly—divided into four regions—the series follows a unique royal tradition: each region must send an heir to compete for the throne, with the winner’s father ascending as the next king.
The story centers on Prince Khanin of the Assavadevathin. A national fencing athlete raised far from Emmaly; Khanin was unaware of his royal lineage until danger emerged. Charan, a royal bodyguard from a family sworn to protect the royal bloodline, is tasked with bringing him back to compete and help the Assavadevathin maintain their reign.
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Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers for the series. Continue reading at your own discretion.
The Next Prince Episode 11 Recap: Khanin Faces the Pressure
The Next Prince episode 11 kicks off with Prince Khanin questioning whether a royal can renounce their title. Charan explains that it’s possible—once they come of age and are capable of making their own decisions. The two imagine life as ordinary people, free from royal expectations, rules, and the burden of power.
Khanin shares that if he had even more power, he would use it with fairness and justice. Charan promises to stand by him, no matter what path he chooses or who he becomes.
At the palace, the King grows increasingly confident that Khanin will secure the throne for Prince Tharin, Khanin’s father. But as the royal competition approaches, the pressure weighs heavily on Khanin. Charan offers him comfort and support. Later, Khanin’s father visits and encourages him as well.
The Royal Competition Begins: Round One – The Test of Wit
With the first round of the Royal Competition underway, the heirs of the three regions—Prince Khanin of Assavadevathin, Prince Ramil of Bhuchongpisut, and Princess Ava of Davichmetha—face off in a test of vision and wit. Since the King values the people’s voice, he puts the decision in the hands of the Emmalians, who will vote to determine the round’s winner.
The competition airs nationwide, drawing viewers from all corners of Emmaly—including Jay, his friends, and his sister. But the broadcast takes a shocking turn when Prince Calvin of Bhujar appears on screen, leaving Jay stunned to realize his friend is actually royalty.
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Long-Standing Issue Left Unaddressed in Emmaly, According to Prince Ramil
When asked, “Could you identify some long-standing issues in our nation that have been overlooked and left unaddressed?” Prince Ramil didn’t hesitate—he called out domestic violence as a serious yet often ignored problem in Emmaly. He stressed its deep emotional and psychological damage, especially to women and children.
Ramil pointed out how people often mistake domestic violence for discipline, when in truth, it inflicts lasting trauma. Drawing from his own experience—watching his father mistreat Paytai, someone he cares about deeply—he spoke from a place of quiet pain. This personal perspective gave weight to his message: Emmaly must do more to protect the vulnerable and emphasize that every child matters in shaping the future of the nation and the world.
Princess Ava Advocates for Equal Rights for Women
The question asked to Princess Ava was, “If you could change one law in Emmaly, which law would you choose to amend?” She began by pointing out that for generations, men have written Emmaly’s laws—leading to systemic injustice against women and gender-diverse individuals.
She emphasized the need for change by proposing equal pay legislation, increasing women’s political and governmental participation, and reforming the education system to remove gender bias. Her goal is to build a fairer, more inclusive legal system that safeguards women’s rights in the long term.
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Prince Khanin Shares His Views on Emmaly’s Economy
The question asked to Prince Khanin was, “If given the opportunity, what strategies would you recommend to stimulate the economy of Emmaly?” Khanin opened by highlighting the richness of Emmaly’s culture and its exquisite cuisine. He expressed confidence that with its unique food, traditions, and cultural heritage, Emmaly can thrive and compete on the global stage.
Prince Khanin highlights the unique charms of each region in Emmaly—from Bhuchongpisut’s deep historical roots and Davichmetha’s joyful nightlife to Meenanagarin’s breathtaking sea and Assavadevathin’s tradition of honoring miners, the backbone of Emmaly’s economy, through the lantern procession.
He firmly states that Emmaly’s greatest strength lies in its warm and welcoming people. To boost the economy, he calls for stronger promotion of local culture and ensuring the revenue goes back to local communities. However, he stresses that before any economic growth can truly succeed, the air pollution from mining in Assavadevathin must be addressed first to improve both the economy and the nation’s quality of life.
Prince Ramil Won the First Round
All the competitors moved the people of Emmaly with heartfelt answers, but Prince Ramil won the first round with the most votes, 42.25%, followed closely by Khanin with 39.75% and Ava with 18%.
After the first competition, Ramil approached Khanin and Ava to console them, but Khanin asserted that if their answers could lead to real solutions for the nation, then consolation wasn’t necessary. Once Ramil left, Ava praised Khanin’s courage in addressing Assavadevathin’s issues, and he, in turn, commended her for bravely speaking up for equal rights.
Soon enough, Prince Ramil and Paytai found out that he only won the first round because his father, Prince Rachata, had rigged the votes to secure his lead, warning him not to make any mistakes and to stay on top. Shortly after, Ava’s father, Prince Chana, discovered this and told Ava that it was no longer fair, urging her to do whatever it takes to win.
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Prince Calvin Apologizes and Bids Goodbye to Jay
Prince Calvin visits Jay to apologize and bid farewell before returning to Bhujar, explaining he had planned to tell the truth about being a prince but didn’t get the chance after the protest. However, Jay, still hurt, refuses to accept the apology and tells him they were never meant to meet, urging him to leave.
Episode 11 concludes with the start of the second round of the royal competition, archery, as the heirs rush into the forest of Meenanagarin with their bows.
Episode 12 Preview and Release Date
The trailer for The Next Prince episode 12 teases Khanin’s two fathers meeting to protect him from danger, ending with Charan pointing a gun at someone in the forest. The episode will be released on July 19, 2025, and fans can watch it online via iQIYI at 11:30 PM.
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What danger is coming to Prince Khanin? And who do you think will win the second round of the royal competition?
Source: The Next Prince (X Account), Mandee Channel
