25/10/2025
Biography
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, was the Queen Consort of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX). She is the eldest daughter of His Highness Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala, Prince of Chanthaburi Suranath, and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara. Her name “Sirikit” means “the glory of the Kitiyakara family”, graciously bestowed by Queen Rambai Barni of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).
Her Majesty was born on Friday, 12 August 1932 at the home of Chaophraya Wongsa Nuwatphat (Mom Rajawongse Sathan Snidvongs) — the father of Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara — at 1808 Rama VI Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok, during the transitional period after the 1932 Siamese Revolution that changed the government system from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
At that time, her father, Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala, served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army. After the revolution, he resigned from military service and was appointed First Secretary at the Siamese Embassy in Washington D.C., United States. Mom Luang Bua, who was then pregnant, remained in Thailand and later gave birth to M.R. Sirikit before traveling to join her husband, leaving her infant daughter in the care of her parents.
Growing up separated from her parents, M.R. Sirikit spent her early childhood under the loving care of her grandparents and experienced political uncertainty, which sometimes forced the family to move between provinces.
In 1939, M.R. Sirikit began her education at Rajini School in Bangkok. When World War II reached Thailand and the capital was under air attacks, she transferred to St. Francis Xavier Convent School on Samsen Road, near her home, where she studied both general education and piano — developing a strong passion for music and dreaming of becoming a concert pianist.
After the war, her father was appointed Thai Minister to the United Kingdom by Prime Minister Khuang Aphaiwong. The family moved to England in 1946, where M.R. Sirikit continued studying English, French, and piano under private tutors. Later, when her father became ambassador to France and Denmark, she continued her studies and prepared to enter a conservatory of music in Paris.
In 1948, while in Paris, the family often received His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then residing in Switzerland and frequently visited France. The King and M.R. Sirikit became acquainted, and after His Majesty’s car accident in Switzerland, Mom Luang Bua and her daughters visited him regularly at the hospital.
Later, with permission from Her Majesty the Queen Mother (Somdet Phra Sri Savarindira, Queen Savang Vadhana), M.R. Sirikit continued her studies at the prestigious Riante Rive School in Lausanne, Switzerland, a boarding school specializing in languages, arts, and cultural studies for young ladies.
On 19 July 1949, an engagement ceremony was privately held in Switzerland, where King Bhumibol Adulyadej presented her with the engagement ring originally used by his father when betrothing Queen Savang Vadhana.
Their marriage took place on 28 April 1950 at Sra Pathum Palace, presided over by Queen Savang Vadhana, who poured the holy water of blessing. On that day, His Majesty the King officially designated her as Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
On 5 May 1950, during the coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Queen Sirikit was elevated to the title of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Consort.
In 1951, while residing in Lausanne, Queen Sirikit gave birth to her first child, Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya. The royal family later returned to Thailand and resided at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Dusit Palace. There, Her Majesty gave birth to three more royal children:
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X),
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana — bringing the total to four royal offspring.
In 1955, following the passing of Queen Savang Vadhana, who had served as President of the Thai Red Cross Society, His Majesty the King appointed Queen Sirikit as the new President.
In 1956, when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej entered the monkhood according to royal tradition, Queen Sirikit was appointed Regent of Thailand, temporarily exercising royal duties on his behalf. After his ordination, the King conferred upon her the title “Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Regent”, symbolizing “the refuge of the people.” She became the second Queen Regent in Thai history, following Queen Saovabha Phongsri of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
Throughout her reign as Queen Consort and later as Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit devoted her life to the nation — supporting countless royal projects initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and establishing her own initiatives for rural development, cultural preservation, and welfare of the Thai people. Her tireless work has left an enduring legacy of compassion, artistry, and service to the Kingdom of Thailand.
