Their Majesties mark first anniversary of Queen Sirikit's passing
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida led merit-making rites at the Grand Palace on October 24, one year after Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's passing.
- The King and Queen of Thailand presided over a royal merit-making ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the passing of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
- The ceremony, which included various Buddhist rites, was held at the Grand Palace in Bangkok and attended by other members of the royal family.
- Their Majesties led the proceedings by laying wreaths and lighting ceremonial incense and candles before the Queen Mother's royal urn.
- The religious rites were conducted by the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand and included sacred chants, a sermon, and the presentation of offerings to monks.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida presided over a royal merit-making ceremony at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Saturday (October 24), commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
Their Majesties arrived at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at 5.21pm to take part in the Buddhist rites held in remembrance of the late Queen Mother.
Other members of the royal family attending the ceremony included Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, Princess Ubol Ratana, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and Thanpuying Sirikitiya Jensen.
Royal family pays respects to the Queen Mother
The King and Queen began by laying wreaths before the Queen Mother's royal urn. They then lit ceremonial incense and candles and paid their respects.
The King subsequently lit incense and candles before a Buddha image associated with the Queen Mother's birthday, placed near the Nine-tiered Great White Umbrella of State.
His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, presided over the monastic assembly. Thirty Buddhist monks recited sacred chants and special verses during the ceremony.
The King presented ten sets of monastic robes in each of three rounds, while the monks performed memorial rites and offered blessings.
The religious proceedings continued as the King lit a ceremonial candle for the Buddhist sermon. Their Majesties then lit incense and candles as part of the sermon rites.
At the King's request, Her Majesty Queen Suthida approached the royal urn to light additional incense and candles as part of the rite inviting the Queen Mother to hear the sermon.
The Most Venerable Somdet Phra Maha Ratchmongkhon Muni, assistant abbot of Wat Traimit Witthayaram, administered the Buddhist precepts before delivering a sermon entitled Piyakarana Dhamma Katha, concerning the qualities that make a person loved.
Following the sermon, four monks recited Buddhist verses. The King presented further religious offerings, including monastic robes and other requisites, before the monks conducted additional memorial rites.
The King and Queen then performed the traditional water-pouring ceremony to dedicate merit, followed by blessings from the monks.
Their Majesties paid their final respects before the Queen Mother's royal urn. The King also lit incense and candles at the eastern and western ceremonial platforms used for Abhidhamma chanting in the throne hall's northern portico before Their Majesties departed.
The Queen Mother's life and royal contributions
The Queen Mother was born on August 12, 1932 to His Serene Highness Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara, later Prince Chandaburi Suranath, and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara.
During her youth, she accompanied her father on diplomatic assignments to Britain, France and Denmark. It was during this period that she met His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who would later become her husband.
Their royal wedding took place at Sra Pathum Palace on April 28, 1950. The couple had four children.
Throughout her life, the Queen Mother undertook numerous royal initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of the Thai people, particularly in public health, environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources.
She also played a significant role in preserving traditional Thai arts and craftsmanship through the SUPPORT Foundation, which promoted local handicrafts and helped safeguard cultural knowledge.
Another important contribution was her initiative to develop eight styles of Chud Thai Phra Ratchaniyom, combining elements of traditional Thai women's clothing with modern tailoring. The eight styles, named after royal throne halls and residences, became an enduring part of Thailand's cultural heritage.
These initiatives formed part of the Queen Mother's lifelong royal work alongside her husband, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with a focus on improving people's quality of life and preserving Thailand's cultural traditions.
