Thailand is mourning the death of Queen Sirikit, the nation’s beloved Queen Mother and widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. She passed away peacefully Friday night at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, aged 93, according to an official statement from the royal palace.
Life and Legacy
Born in 1932, Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to France and lived much of her early life abroad. She met her future husband, King Bhumibol, while in France, and they married in 1950, just before his coronation. For seven decades, she was at the heart of Thailand’s monarchy, serving as both consort and later as Queen Mother to the current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X).
Sirikit became a symbol of elegance and grace, winning international acclaim for her beauty and fashion sense. Her presence on state visits and charity events brought global attention to Thai culture, and she was lauded as a style icon, frequently appearing on the International Best-Dressed List during her years as queen.
Humanitarian Influence
Beyond her glamorous public appearances, Queen Sirikit was known for her steadfast support of rural communities, traditional crafts, and environmental conservation. She championed projects aimed at alleviating poverty, preserving Thai heritage, and aiding refugees, particularly during periods of conflict along the country’s borders.
She remained an influential figure through decades of political turbulence in Thailand, at times lending her support—publicly or symbolically—to various causes and political figures. In one notable moment, her attendance at the funeral of a protester in 2008 was widely interpreted as a statement of solidarity with royalist supporters.
Final Years
Queen Sirikit’s public engagements diminished after a stroke in 2012, and she spent considerable time under medical care in recent years. She had been hospitalized in 2019 and was battling a blood infection since October 17, 2025, which ultimately led to her passing.
As per tradition, her body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall, with a year-long period of mourning to be observed by the royal household and the public. Television broadcasters and news sites have switched to monochrome, and citizens are donning black-and-white attire as a mark of respect—the solemnity underscoring the reverence in which she was held.
Queen Sirikit is survived by her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and three daughters. Her legacy as a matriarch, humanitarian, and cultural ambassador endures in the hearts of Thais and admirers around the world.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Thailand, one defined by her decades-long presence beside two of the nation’s most important monarchs, and her far-reaching influence on social and cultural life throughout the kingdom.
