Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand, with her husband, King Rama IX

Her Majesty Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara (born August 12, 1932), better known as Queen Sirikit of Thailand, is the wife and Queen Consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of Thailand.

Queen Sirikit is the daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath (Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara), a relative and close supporter of the Royal Family, and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara (nee Mom Luang Bua Snidwongse). She holds the title "Mom Rajawongse" indicating that she is descended from royalty. She was born in Bangkok and was educated at a Catholic convent school. During her childhood her father was successively Thai Ambassador to France, Denmark and the United Kingdom, and Sirikit continued her education in these countries and in Switzerland.

While studying in Switzerland Sirikit met Bhumibol Adulyadej, who although King was then still a minor and also studying in Switzerland. When the King was injured in a motor accident and was in a hospital at Lausanne, Sirikit was a frequent visitor. On July 19, 1949, they were engaged in Lausanne. On March 1950, the King returned to Thailand to take up his royal duties. Sirikit accompanied him and on April 28 the royal wedding took place at Pathumwan Palace.

Queen Sirikit as a young woman

When the King undertook a period of service as a Buddhist monk in 1956 (as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males), Sirikit became Regent. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was given the title "Somdech Phraborom Rajininath."

Although the marriage was dynastic, it has proved highly successful. The couple have four children (see Bhumibol Adulyadej for details). Like her husband, Sirikit is immensely popular and deeply respected in Thailand: perhaps even more so than the King, since she has had no involvement in politics. The Queen's birthday, like the King's, is a national holiday, and is also Thailand's official Mothers' Day.

Sirikit is particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine. The mystical aspect of the monarchy is heightened by the Thai habit of using images of the King and Queen showing them as many years younger than their real ages.

Sirikit is well-known for her charitable work. Her major formal involvement is as President of the Thai Red Cross, a post she has held since 1956. She has also been active in relief work for the many refugees from Cambodia and Burma who have sought refuge in Thailand.