A MOTHER LIKE NO OTHER
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother has worked tirelessly not just as the mother of the land but also of King Rama X
Every child sees their mother as a hero and pillar of strength. The same goes for His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua who has always had Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother as his greatest supporting figure.
A television reporter in the United States once asked Queen Sirikit to name her favourite hobby or pastime. Her reply was “Looking after my children.” All of her royal duties at that time were once estimated to come out to at least one official function every day of the year. Despite this, Queen Sirikit never failed to arrange her schedule and allocate her time in a way that she would be able to spend as much time as possible with her four children.
The aforementioned media interview in America best explains her devotion to her maternal responsibilities. Despite her busy schedule, she has always been committed to performing her motherly tasks for her three daughters and her only son, who would become the future King of Thailand.
Born in Bangkok on Aug 12, 1932, this year marks the 87th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother. The eldest daughter of ML Bua (Snidwongse) Kitiyakara and MC Nakhatra Mongkol Kitiyakara, Queen Sirikit — then MR Sirikit Kitiyakara — began her formal education at Rajini School in Bangkok and was later transferred to St Francis Xavier School at the start of World War II.
With her father appointed as the Siamese ambassador to France and the United Kingdom, MR Sirikit continued her education in Europe, where her focus was the study of languages and music. She was so talented at music that once she even considered becoming a concert pianist.
While in Europe, she met the young King Bhumibol, who was then studying in Switzerland. When their romance fully blossomed, the royal engagement was announced in 1949 and the royal wedding was organised in the following year on April 28.
Only a week after the royal wedding, His Majesty King Bhumibol’s coronation ceremony was carried out, where he elevated his royal consort to the full rank of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. She was later bestowed the title of Phra Nang Chao Borom Rajini Nart which means “Full Reigning Queen”.
Always seen standing by the side of King Bhumibol as he performed his royal duties across Thailand, Queen Sirikit’s compassion for all Thais has been witnessed time and again. Be they urban slum dwellers, hilltribe people, HIV/Aids-infected patients, women in despair and even people in the violencestricken southern provinces, Queen Sirikit has always been their beacon of hope and encouragement.
On May 5 this year, when the coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua took place, Queen Sirikit was named Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, reflecting the untiring commitment she has always had as a mother.
Long known as “the most beautiful queen in the world”, not just for the late King Bhumibol and the royal family, but for all Thais, she is an illuminating light that gives hope and strength to those who need it the most.