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Her Majesty Queen Sirikit

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on August 12, 1932, at the home of Lord Vongsanuprabhand, her grandfather, on the same year that the system of government in Thailand was changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Her Majesty is the eldest daughter and the third child of Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, and Mom Luang Bua Sanitvongse. Her name was granted by His Majesty King Prajadhipok, which means the Greatness of Kitiyakara.

Mom Rajawongse Sirikit attended the kindergarten at Rajini School, near Pak Khlong Talat Market in 1936. It was during the period of the Pacific War, and Bangkok was attacked many times, thus causing unsafe transportation. Mom Rajawongse Sirikit studied until her first year at the primary level, and then decided to move to Saint Francis Xavier Convent School due to security concern.

Mom Rajawongse Sirikit had to face the war time as other Thais did, and her father, as a soldier, had constantly encouraged orderliness, toleration, bravery, and sacrifice. The Pacific War was a major factor that fostered Mom Rajawongse Sirikit’s loving and kind nature towards other people.

When the war ended, Prime Minister Khuang Abhaiwongse appointed Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Saint James, England. Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara then moved his family to England in mid-1946.

Mom Rajawonse Sirikit studied piano, English language and French language with special instructors during her time in England. However, her father then had to move to various countries including Denmark and France. While staying in France, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit studied at a music academy in Paris. While in Switzerland, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and family had an opportunity to welcome Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej, who at that time was pursuing his studies in the country. Mom Rajawongse Sirikit also accompanied the Prince at times to various places, including his favorite car manufacturing company in Paris. When Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej was injured in a car accident and needed special treatment at a hospital in Lausanne, he requested Mom Luang Bua to bring along her 2 daughters, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and Mom Rajawongse Bussaba, to visit him until he fully recovered and returned to his residence.

Afterwards, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej’s mother, the Princess Mother Sangval, asked Mom Rajawongse Sirikit to continue her studies nearby so that the Prince could get to know her better. Mom Rajawongse Sirikit thus decided to attend a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive, which was famous for language, art, music, literature, and history. A year later, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej invited Mom Rajawongse Sirikit’s family to visit, and the Princess Mother asked for an engagement between both of them. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on July 19, 1949, and the couple married on April 28, 1950, at Sra Pathum Palace.

Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned the King of Thailand on May 5, 1950, at the Royal Palace in Bangkok. He was given the title Phra Bat Somdej Phrachao Yuhua, or King Bhumibol Adulyadej, while his wife was styled Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat, or Queen Sirikit.