Sirikit

Queen Sirikit
Sirikit (center) chairs the 22nd Congress of the International Sericultural Commission held in Chiang Mai, 16 December 2011
Queen Consort of Thailand
Tenure	28 April 1950 – present &1000000000000006100000061 years, &10000000000000303000000303 days
Coronation	5 May 1950
Spouse	Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) (Since 28 April 1950)
Issue
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak
House	House of Kitiyakara (by birth) House of Mahidol (by marriage) Chakri Dynasty
Father	HH Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala, the Prince of Chanthaburi II
Mother	Mom Luang Bua Sanidvongs
Born	12 August 1932 (1932-08-12) Bangkok, Thailand
Signature
Religion	Theravada Buddhism

Queen Sirikit of Thailand (Thai pronunciation: [sìríkìt], Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ; Literally: "Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit";  listen ; born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on 12 August 1932), is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand (the first Queen Regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, later Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother). As the consort of the king who is the world's longest reigning head of state, she is also the world's longest serving consort of a monarch, though Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, more than eleven years her senior, is the oldest currently serving consort.

Early life

Queen 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 Sanidvongs. Her name, which was given by King Prajadhipok, means "the Greatness of Kitiyakhon".

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

• Prof. Mom Rajawongse Galyanakit Kitiyakara, M.D. (20 September 1929 – 15 May 1987)
• Mom Rajawongse Adulyakit Kitiyakara (2 November 1930 – 5 May 2004)
• Mom Rajawongse Busba Kitiyakara (born 2 August 1934)

Sirikit was raised by her maternal grandparents for a year after her birth, as her father went to United States to work as the secretary of the Siamese Royal 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 Chao Phraya River, Bangkok.

As a child, Sirikit often had outdoor visits with her paternal grandmother. Once in 1933, she traveled with Princess Absornsaman Devakula following King Prajadhipok's tour in Songkla.

Education

The King and Queen after their wedding on 28 April 1950.

Thai Royal Family
HM The King HM The Queen HRH The Crown Prince HRH Princess Srirasmi HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti HRH The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn HRH The Princess Chulabhorn Walailak HRH Princess Siribhachudhabhorn HRH Princess Adityadhornkitikhun Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Lady Ploypailin Jensen Lady Sirikitiya Jensen HRH Princess Soamsawali Lady Dasanavalaya Sorasongkram

At age 4, Sirikit attended the Kindergarten College at Rajini School (sometimes called the Queen’s College). She studied until her first year at the primary level. During that time the Pacific War was being fought; Bangkok was attacked many times, thus making travel unsafe. She then moved to Saint Francis Xavier Convent School, because it was near the palace. She studied at that school from her second year at the primary level to the secondary level.

In 1946, when the war ended, her father moved to the United Kingdom to work as the ambassador to the Court of St. James's, taking his family with him. At that time, Sirikit was 13 and had graduated the secondary level. While staying in England, she learned to play the piano and learned English and French. Because of her father's work as an ambassador, she and her family moved to various countries, including Denmark and France. While living in France, she studied at a music academy in Paris.

Also while in France, Sirikit met King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who at that time had ascended to the throne and had been studying at Switzerland. Both the king and Sirikit (as well as a few other students) were staying at the Thai Royal Embassy in Paris. Sirikit accompanied the king as he visited various tourist attractions. Both the king and Sirikit found much common ground on their likes and dislikes and thus began a relationship.

Marriage

Queen Sirikit during a parade in New York City, July 1960.

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 hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye. He subsequently wore an ocular prosthetic. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, The Princess Mother Sangval, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that the king could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, and the couple married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.

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 (ทะเบียนการสมรส.) As she was not yet 18, her parents also signed, on line 12 directly under her signature. Reproductions of the certificate are popular as souvenirs, and may be found by searching for its common name, "ใบสมรส สิริกิติ์". [1] 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.

Regency

When the king undertook a period of service as a Buddhist monk in 1956 (as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males), Queen Sirikit became regent. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was made queen regent and given the style of "Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat" by her husband on his birthday, 5 December 1956. Upon this inception, she became the second Siamese queen regent. The first queen regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, who was regent when her husband King Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother.

Children

Sirikit in Germany with President Heinrich Lübke and his wife Wilhelmine, 1960.

The couple has 4 children; 3 daughters and a son:

• (Formerly HRH) Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, born 5 April 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland; married Peter Ladd Jensen, has 2 daughters (one son deceased)
• HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, born 28 July 1952; married first time with Mom Luang Soamsavali Kitiyakara (later divorced and became HRH the Princess Niece); has 1 daughter. Then married second time with Yuvadhida Polpraserth; has 4 sons and a daughter. And married third time with Srirasmi Akharaphongpreecha; has one son.
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born 2 April 1955; unmarried
• HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, born 4 July 1957; married Virayudh Didyasarin, (then divorced); has 2 daughters

Cultural identity

Queen Sirikit's birthday, like the king's, is a national holiday, and is also Mothers' Day in the country. She is particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine. 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 the local Muslim populace. The queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand. She spends months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. This role of the queen is considered to be as one of the more quiet diplomats.

Books and writing

Royal flag of Queen Sirikit, often seen around Thailand in August (near her birthday and Mother's day).

Queen Sirikit published the book In Memory of my European Trip in 1964, her memoirs describing her time in Europe with the king. It was this book that made the people realise that she was a talented writer. Moreover, she composed many songs for performing with The Handsome Band, the music band of the palace.

The songs she composed were:

• Chao Chom Kwan (เจ้าจอมขวัญ)
• Thas Ther (ทาสเธอ)
• Sai Yud (สายหยุด)
• Nang Yam (นางแย้ม)

Charitable works and honors

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 Burma in Thailand.

Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:

• The Queen Sirikit Medical Center building, Ramathibodi Hospital
• The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer, a new 10 storey hospital in Bangkok
• the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok
• the Queen Sirikit Park in Bangkok
• the Sirikit Dam on the Nan River, Uttaradit Province
• the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chiang Mai Province
• the Queen Sirikit Arboretum Garden, Pathum Thani Province
• the Queen Sirikit Cup, an annual Asian-Pacific golf Teams Event
• the Queen Sirikit Crab (Thaiphusa sirikit)
• the Queen Sirikit Rose
• the Queen's Cup, annual football competition

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

Awards

Year	Award	Awarder
1979	CERES Gold Medal	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
1985	Humanitarian Award	Asia Society
1986	Best Conservationist Certificate	World Wildlife Fund
1990	Immigration and Refugee Policy Award	The Center of Migration Studies
1991	International Humanitarian Award	Friends of the National Children's Museum, Washington, DC
1992	Gold Medal for Outstanding Leadership	Asian Institute of Technology
1992	UNESCO Borobudur Gold Medal	United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
1992	UNICEF Special Recognition Award	United Nations Children's Fund
1992	Award of Excellence	United Nations Development Fund for Women
1992	UNEP Gold Medal of Distinction	United Nations Environment Programme
1993	Woman of the Year 1993 Award	Stanford University
1995	1995 Lindbergh Award	The Lindbergh Foundation
2000	Merite de Invention	The Belgian Chamber of Inventors
2001	Special Prix	Bulgarian American Chamber of Commercial and Industry
2002	Louis Pasteur Award	International Sericultural Commission
2002	Award for Humanitarian Service	The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2004	IUCN Gold Medal	International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
2005	Food Safety Award	World Health Organization

Honorary degrees

Year	Field	Academy
1957	Social Work	Thammasat University
1960	Public Health	Mahidol University
1961	Political Science	Chulalongkorn University
1962	Home Economics	Kasetsart University
1963	Humanities	Centro Escolar University (Philippines)
1965	Decorative Arts	Silpakorn University
1969	Agriculture	Khon Kaen University
1970	Psychology	Chiang Mai University
1970	Development Economics	National Institute of Development Administration
1981	Humane Letters	Tufts University (United States of America)
1983	Political Science	Thammasat University
1984	Industrial Design	Chulalongkorn University
1984	Home Economics	Sukhothai Thammathirat University
−1987	Humane Letters	Concord College (United States of America)
1988	Medicine	Mahidol University
1989	Forestry	Thammasat University
1989	Business Administration	Khon Kaen University
1990	Industrial Design	King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
1990	Vocational Education Administration	King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
1990	Public Health	Sukhothai Thammathirat University
1991	Finance	Khon Kaen University
1991	General Administration	Ramkhamhaeng University
1992	Technology of Environmental Management	Mahidol University
1992	Education	Chulalongkorn University
1992	Marketing	Kasetsart University
1992	Thai Arts	Silpakorn University
1993	Humane Letters	Georgetown University (United States of America)
1995	Humane Letters	Johns Hopkins University (United States of America)
1997	Philosophy	Tokai University (Japan)
2000	Thai Language	Thaksin University
2003	Visual Communication Design	Khon Kaen University
2004	Textile, Costume,Garment and Fashion Design	Thammasat University
2004	Social Development Management	Khon Kaen University
2004	Natural Resource Management	King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi
2004	Environmental Management	Prince of Songkla University
2005	Food Science	Kasetsart University
2006	Cultural Studies	Rajabhat Songkla University
2007	Eastern Languages and Cultures	University of Saint Petersburg (Russia)

Title and ranks

Monarchical styles of Queen Sirikit of Thailand
Reference style	Her Royal Majesty
Spoken style	Your Royal Majesty
Alternative style	Madame

Her formal name and title is Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ; "Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit"). However, her official title is just Queen Sirikit.

At present, the queen ranks as Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force, usually mentioned in official documents that: Chom Phon Ying Chom Phon Ruea Ying Chom Phon Akat Ying Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat (Thai: จอมพลหญิง จอมพลเรือหญิง จอมพลอากาศหญิง สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ; "Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit, the Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force"). The queen holds ceremonial supreme power, after her husband who ranks as the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, among the Royal Thai Army.

• 12 August 1932 – 28 April 1950: The Honourable (English style) or Mom Rajawongse (Thai style) Sirikit Kitiyakara
• 28 April 1950 – 5 December 1956: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand
• 5 December 1956–present: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Queen Regent of Thailand

In 1976, the Thai government honored the queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. "Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday" is celebrated on 12 August each year.

References

Sirikit Chakri Dynasty Born: 12 August 1932
Regnal titles
Preceded by Princess Rambhai Barni Svastivatana	Queen Consort of Thailand 1951 – present	Incumbent