Sirikit

Last updated

Sirikit
สิริกิติ์
Queen Mother of Thailand
Queen Sirikit 1960.jpg
Sirikit in 1960
Queen consort of Thailand
Tenure28 April 1950 – 13 October 2016
Coronation 5 May 1950
BornPrincess Sirikit Kitiyakara of Chanthaburi
(1932-08-12) 12 August 1932 (age 91)
Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Siam
Spouse
(m. 1950; died  2016)
Issue
House
Father Nakkhatra Mangala
Mother Bua Snidvongs
Religion Theravada Buddhism
Signature Queen Sirikit Signature.svg

Sirikit [lower-alpha 1] [1] (born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara [lower-alpha 2] ; 12 August 1932) is the Queen Mother of Thailand as the mother of King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). She was Queen of Thailand from 1950 to 2016 as the wife of King Bhumibol (Rama IX).

Contents

She met Bhumibol in Paris, where her father was Thai ambassador. They married in 1950, shortly before Bhumibol's coronation. Sirikit was appointed queen regent in 1956, when the king entered the Buddhist monkhood for a period of time. Sirikit has one son and three daughters with the king. Consort of the monarch who was, at the time the world's longest-reigning head of state, she was also the world's longest-serving queen consort. Sirikit suffered a stroke in 2012 and has since refrained from public appearances.

Early life and family

Sirikit was born on 12 August 1932, at the home of Lord Vongsanuprabhand, her maternal grandfather. She is the eldest daughter and the third child of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, the son of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, and Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs (1909–1999). Her name, which was given by Queen Rambai Barni, means "the greatness of Kitiyakara". [2]

She had three siblings, two elder brothers and a younger sister:

Sirikit was raised by her maternal grandparents for a year after her birth, since her father was in the United States to work as the secretary of the Siamese Embassy at Washington, D.C. Her mother joined her husband three months later. When she was one year old, her parents returned to Thailand. Sirikit lived together with her family in Deves Palace, near the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok. [3]

As a child, Sirikit often visited her paternal grandmother. Once in 1933, she travelled with Princess Absornsaman Devakula following King Prajadhipok's tour in Songkhla. [4]

Education

Queen Sirikit in the Netherlands in 1960 Staatsbezoek Koning en Koningin van Thailand , Rijksmuseum, Bestanddeelnr 911-6964.jpg
Queen Sirikit in the Netherlands in 1960

At age four, Sirikit attended the Kindergarten College at Rajini School (sometimes called the Queen's College), where she studied at the primary level. During that time the Pacific War was being fought. Bangkok was bombed many times, especially the rail lines, making travel unsafe. She therefore moved to Saint Francis Xavier Convent School, since it was near the palace. She studied at Saint Francis Xavier from her second primary year through the early secondary level. [5] [6]

In 1946, with the war now over, her father moved to the United Kingdom as the ambassador to the Court of St James's, taking his family with him. Sirikit was then 13 and completed her secondary education. While in England she learned to play the piano and became fluent in English and French. Because of her father's work as a diplomat, the family moved to other countries, including Denmark and France. While in France, she studied at a music academy in Paris.

Also in France, Sirikit met King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was related to her, since both were descendants of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). At that time, Bhumibol had ascended to the throne and was studying in Switzerland. Bhumibol and Sirikit (as well as a few other students) were staying at the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris. Sirikit accompanied the king as he visited various tourist attractions, and they found that they had much in common.

Marriage

On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva-Lausanne road, he collided into the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside of Lausanne. He injured his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye. [7] He subsequently wore an ocular prosthetic. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, The Princess Mother Sangwan, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that the king could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected a boarding school for her in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, [7] and the couple married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.

Establishment of the Queen

The marriage took place at Srapathum Palace. Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother presided over the marriage ceremony. Both the king and Sirikit signed on line 11 of their certificate of marriage. As she was not yet 18, her parents also signed, on line 12 directly under her signature. She later received the Order of the Royal House of Chakri, and became queen. After the coronation ceremony on 5 May 1950, both went back to Switzerland to continue their studies, and returned to Bangkok in 1952.

Issue

NameBirthMarriageTheir children
DateSpouse
Princess Ubolratana 5 April 1951 (age 72)25 July 1972
Divorced 1998
Peter Ladd Jensen Ploypailin Jensen
Poom Jensen
Sirikitiya Jensen
Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)28 July 1952 (age 71)3 January 1977
Divorced 12 August 1991
Soamsawali Kitiyakara Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra
February 1994
Divorced 1996
Yuvadhida Polpraserth Juthavachara Vivacharawongse
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse
Chakriwat Vivacharawongse
Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse
Princess Sirivannavari
10 February 2001
Divorced 11 December 2014
Srirasmi Suwadee Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
1 May 2019 Suthida Tidjai None
Sirindhorn, Princess Royal 2 April 1955 (age 68)NoneNone
Chulabhorn, Princess Srisavangavadhana 4 July 1957 (age 66)7 January 1982
Divorced 1996
Virayudh Tishyasarin Princess Siribha Chudabhorn
Princess Aditayadorn Kitikhun

Regency

Queen Sirikit took an oath of office amongst the House of Representatives convened at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall on 20 September 1956 when she was appointed regent by her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Pramuan Phap Song Phanuat (1956, p 07).jpg
Queen Sirikit took an oath of office amongst the House of Representatives convened at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall on 20 September 1956 when she was appointed regent by her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Bhumibol and Sirikit, 1963 Adulyadej Bhumibol (1963) by Erling Mandelmann.jpg
Bhumibol and Sirikit, 1963
Queen Sirikit and Vladimir Putin, 2007 Vladimir Putin with Queen Sirikit-2.jpg
Queen Sirikit and Vladimir Putin, 2007

When the king undertook the traditional period as a Buddhist monk in 1956, Queen Sirikit acted as regent. [8] She performed her duties so well that she was officially named the Regent of Thailand and the King gave her the title 'Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat' on his birthday, 5 December 1956. She became the second Siamese queen regent in Thai history. The first was Queen Saovabha Phongsri of Siam, who served as regent when her husband King Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra.[ citation needed ]

Health

At dawn on 21 July 2012, Queen Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at Siriraj Hospital, where King Bhumibol Adulyadej resided. After performing magnetic resonance imaging, a team of physicians determined that she had suffered an ischemic stroke. [9]

The queen was treated and has refrained from public appearances since, including the grand audience granted by her husband on his 85th birthday from the Ananta Samakhom Hall on 5 December 2012. [10]

On 29 November 2016, the palace announced that the queen had been discharged from the hospital and has returned to the Chitralada Royal Villa due to her recovery. [11]

Cultural status

Queen Sirikit's birthday, like the king's, is a national holiday, and is also Mothers' Day in Thailand. She is particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine.[ citation needed ] Her work in promoting tolerance and understanding for the Muslim minorities in the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have made her especially popular amongst Thai Muslims.[ citation needed ] The queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand, and she formerly spent months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. She is considered to be one of the more quiet diplomats. [12]

Books and writing

Personal Standard of Queen Sirikit with her Royal Cypher, often flown in August (near her birthday and Mothers' Day). Royal Flag of Queen Sirikit.svg
Personal Standard of Queen Sirikit with her Royal Cypher, often flown in August (near her birthday and Mothers' Day).

Queen Sirikit published In Memory of my European Trip in 1964, which described her time in Europe with the king. She has also composed songs for performance by The Handsome Band, the band of the palace.

The songs she composed were:

Honours and awards

In 1976, the Thai government honored the queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. The Queen's birthday is celebrated on 12 August each year. [13]

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand Rank

Foreign honours

Eponyms

Queen Sirikit is well known for her charitable work, where she is the honorary president of the Thai Red Cross, a post she has held since 1956. She gained new prominence in this role in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in southern Thailand in December 2004. She has also been active in relief work for the many refugees from Cambodia and Myanmar in Thailand.

Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:

The queen is also active in promoting Thai culture and history, mainly through her initiative in the making of the Thai movie The Legend of Suriyothai , one of the most lavish and expensive Thai movies ever made. [21]

Genealogical table

Relationship with Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit [22]
Savang Vadhana Chulalongkorn
(Rama V)
Uam Bisalayabutra
Apsarasaman Devakula Kitiyakara Voralaksana
Srinagarindra Mahidol Adulyadej Bua Kitiyakara Nakkhatra Mangala
Bhumibol Adulyadej
(Rama IX)
Sirikit

See also

Notes

  1. Thai: สิริกิติ์, pronounced [sì.rì.kìt] listen .
  2. Thai: สิริกิติ์ กิติยากร; RTGS: Sirikit Kitiyakon.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sirindhorn</span> Princess Royal of Thailand

Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand, the Princess Royal and the Princess Debaratana Rajasuda , formerly Princess Sirindhorn Debaratanasuda Kitivadhanadulsobhak, is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and younger sister of King Vajiralongkorn. Thais commonly refer to her as "Phra Thep", meaning "princess angel". Her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title once held by her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne. Having been the eldest female child of the royal family, her position is comparable to a princess royal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahidol Adulyadej</span> Thai prince (1892–1929)

Mahitala Dhibesra Adulyadej Vikrom, the Prince Father, formerly Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkla or Mahidol Songkla, was the father of King Ananda Mahidol and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, and the paternal grandfather of King Vajiralongkorn. He was also regarded as the father of modern medicine and public health in Thailand. He also founded the House of Mahidol or the present Royal Family of Thailand. His two sons reigned for more than eight decades, longer than the Ibn Saud siblings of Saudi Arabia, and the Nahyan siblings of Abu Dhabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savang Vadhana</span> Thai consort

Sri Savarindira, also known as Savang Vadhana, was the royal wives and half-sister of Chulalongkorn, but she was not the Rajini or supreme queen consort. After her first grandson's accession to power in 1935, she became known as Somdetch Phra Phan Vassa Ayika Chao. All her children died before her and she lived to see her grandsons Ananda Mahidol and Bhumibol Adulyadej take the throne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Sirikit National Convention Center</span>

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) or also known simply as Queen Sirikit Convention Center, is a convention center and exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The center is regarded as a public asset according to the Thai Ministry of Finance's Treasury Department. However, it has been managed by N.C.C. Management & Development Co., Ltd., a private firm, since its opening in 1991. The QSNCC was built to host events, especially conferences and exhibitions and has hosted numerous international events. The QSNCC is also home to the Plenary Hall, a theatre style hall, which has a capacity of 6,000 persons. It is served by Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT station on the MRT Blue Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Sirikit Park</span> Botanical garden in Bangkok, Thailand

Queen Sirikit Park is a botanical garden in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand. Covering an area of 0.22 km2, it is part of the larger Chatuchak Park complex. It was established in 1992 and named after Sirikit, Queen of Thailand to celebrate her 60th birthday. It contains many fountains and pools where lotus flowers bloom. The park has a high biodiversity in an ecosystem which has a great variety of plants and butterflies. There is a great variety of banana cultivars, a great variety of palm tree cultivars, a great variety of hibiscus, a great variety of lotus, more than 200 species of waterlilies, a great variety of new species of plant in the world, a great variety of coconut cultivars, a great variety of bamboo cultivars, and a great variety of rare plants as well as plants endemic to Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soamsawali</span> Princess Suddhanarinatha, first wife of King Vajiralongkorn

Princess Soamsawali of Thailand, the Princess Suddhanarinatha, born Mom LuangSoamsawali Kitiyakara, is a member of the Thai royal family, and is the former wife of her first cousin King Vajiralongkorn. She was titled "the Princess Mother of the King's First Grandchild" after her divorce from the then crown prince in 1991. She is also a niece of Queen Sirikit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bejaratana</span> Thai princess (1925–2011)

Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda was the only child of the King Vajiravudh of Thailand. She was a first cousin of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as well as a third cousin to Prince Bhisadej Rajani on her paternal side and third cousin of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia on her maternal side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bajrakitiyabha</span> Thai princess

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the Princess Rajasarini Siribajra is a Thai princess and diplomat of Thailand, the first grandchild of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand, and the only one of the seven children of King Maha Vajiralongkorn born to his first wife Princess Soamsawali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suvadhana</span> Princess consort of Siam

Princess Suvadhana was the royal consort of King Vajiravudh of Siam. Her original name was Khrueakaeo Abhayavongsa. She was born a commoner; her father was Lord Abhayabhupesa and her mother was Ms. Lek Bunnag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakkhatra Mangala</span> Prince of Chanthaburi II

Prince Nakkhatra Mangala, 2nd Prince of Chanthaburi, was the eldest son of Kitiyakara Voralaksana, 1st Prince of Chanthaburi and Princess Apsarasaman Kitiyakara. He was a father of Queen Sirikit, father in-law of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and maternal grandfather of the current King Vajiralongkorn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sirivannavari</span> Thai princess and badminton player

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya is a Thai princess and the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn by his former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. She is also the only one of their children in the line of succession and to bear royal titles. She has produced works as a fashion designer, and competed in sports as an equestrian and badminton player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram</span>

Than Phu Ying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram, née Dhasanawalaya Ratanakul Serireongrit, is the only daughter of Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas and niece of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and elder cousin of King Vajiralongkorn.

Queen Sirikit Gallery or Queens Gallery is an art museum in Bangkok, Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitiyakara Voralaksana</span> Prince of Chanthaburi I

Kitiyakara Voralaksana, 1st Prince of Chanthaburi was a Prince of Siam, a member of the Siamese Royal Family. He originated the House of Kitiyakara (ราชสกุลกิติยากร). His descendants use this royal surname. He is the paternal grandfather of Queen Sirikit, consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Through Sirikit he is also the maternal great-grandfather of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has been King of Thailand since 2016.

Mom Rajawongse Adulakit Kitiyakara, was the chief-president of the supreme judicature of Thailand, and former member of the Privy Council of Thailand. He was a member of the House of Kitiyakara, the Princely House descended from the Chakri dynasty. He was the elder brother of Queen Sirikit, consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary Stadium</span> Stadium in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The stadium was built on occasion of celebration the 60th Birthday Anniversary of Queen Sirikit, hence the name of the venue. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 5,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bua Kitiyakara</span>

Mom LuangBua Kitiyakara, née Mom LuangBua Snidvongs, stage-named Prathum Chitchuea, was a Thai actress. She was the wife of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala, the mother of Queen Sirikit, and the maternal grandmother of King Vajiralongkorn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">30th Cavalry Squadron, Queen's Guard (Thailand)</span> Special operations force of the Royal Thai Army

The 30th Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard is an King's Guard Mechanized infantry and Armour Squadron of the Royal Thai Army, it is currently a part of the 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital</span> Hospital in Thailand, Thailand

Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital also stylised Somdech Phranangchao Sirikit Hospital, is a hospital located in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, Thailand. It is a military hospital operated by the Naval Medical Department, The Royal Thai Navy particularly for personnel of the Royal Thai Navy, but also for the general public. It has a CPIRD Medical Education Center which trains medical students for the Faculty of Medicine, Burapha University. It is an affiliated teaching hospital of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine.

References

  1. "Rare royal photos of Queen Sirikit released for 90th birthday". nationthailand. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  2. https://www.silpa-mag.com/club/art-and-culture/article_19343%5B%5D
  3. "พระราชประวัติการศึกษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ | รอยยิ้มของในหลวง ร.9". 18 October 2017.
  4. "สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ - แขกเลี้ยงวัวทำนาย เด็กผู้หญิงคนนี้มีบุญวาสนาเป็นราชินี". 11 August 2018.
  5. พระราชประวัติการศึกษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ | รอยยิ้มของในหลวง ร.9
  6. สมาคมศิษย์เซนต์ฟรังฯ จัดพิธีบูชาขอบพระคุณ ถวายพระพรแด่ สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง
  7. 1 2 Handley, Paul M. (2006). The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej, pp. 103–4. Yale University Press.
  8. Handley (2006), p. 131-32.
  9. "Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, dated 21 July 2012" (PDF) (in Thai). Bureau of the Royal Household. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  10. "Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, No. 12, dated 4 December 2012" (PDF) (in Thai). Bureau of the Royal Household. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. "แถลงการณ์สำนักพระราชวัง "พระราชินี" พระอาการทั่วไปดีขึ้นมาก เสด็จกลับประทับพระตำหนักจิตรลดาฯ". Matichon Online (in Thai). Bangkok: Matichon. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  12. Morris, Kylie (16 November 2004), "Thai Queen's plea to end violence", News, UK: BBC, retrieved 7 July 2008.
  13. Forbes, Andrew (2010). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand's Beaches & Islands, p. 35. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  14. [ bare URL PDF ]
  15. "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 171. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  16. "S.M. Sirikit Regina di Tailandia, Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (in Italian). Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  17. "Boletín Oficial del Estado" (PDF). boe.es. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  18. "Boletín Oficial del Estado" (PDF). boe.es. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  19. "Two Ancient Lands Strengthen Their Ties". Taiwan Today . 1 July 1963. Retrieved 13 April 2020. President Chiang decorated King Bhumibol with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade and Queen Sirikit with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds.
  20. Ridout, Lucy (2009). The Rough Guide to Thailand, p. 357. Penguin.
  21. "Thailand's Suriyothai beats Titanic", News, UK: BBC, 23 November 2001, retrieved 7 July 2008.
  22. Finestone, Jeffrey (1989). The Royal Family of Thailand: The Descendants of King Chulalongkorn. New Cavendish Books. ISBN   978-09-04568-88-2.
Sirikit
House of Kitiyakara
Cadet branch of the House of Chakri
Born: 12 August 1932
Thai royalty
Vacant
Title last held by
Rambhai Barni Svastivatana
Queen consort of Thailand
1950–2016
Vacant
Title next held by
Suthida Tidjai
Order of precedence
Preceded by Thai order of precedence
The Queen Mother

2nd position
Succeeded by
Preceded by Eldest Royal Member of the Chakri Dynasty
2016–present
Incumbent
Heir:
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya
Non-profit organization positions
Vacant
Title last held by
Savang Vadhana
President of Thai Red Cross Society
1956–present
Incumbent