Sukhumala Marasri

Sukhumala Marasri Queen consort of Thailand Spouse King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) Issue Suddha Dibyaratana, the Princess of Ratanakosin Paribatra Sukhumbhand, the Prince of Nakorn Sawan House Chakri Dynasty Father Mongkut Mother Samli Bunnag Born (1861-05-10)10 May 1861 Grand Palace, Bangkok, Siam Died 9 July 1927(1927-07-09) (aged 66) Bang Khun Prom Palace, Bangkok, Siam

The Four Consorts of King Chulalongkorn Sunandha Kumariratana Sukhumala Marasri Savang Vadhana Saovabha Phongsri

Sukhumala Marasri (Thai: สุขุมาลมารศรี; RTGS: Sukhuman Marasi) (10 May 1861 – 9 July 1927) was a daughter of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and his concubine, Samli (เจ้าคุณจอมมารดาสำลี). Her given name was Princess Sukhumala Marasri (พระองค์เจ้าสุขุมาลมารศรี). She was later one of the four consorts of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and was also his half-sister.

Early life

Sukumala was born in Royal Grand Palace on 10 May 1861. She was the 52nd child of King Mongkut and his concubine, Samli. She had a younger full sister, Princess Napaborn, and from her father's side she was a half-sister to King Chulalongkorn (later her husband), Queen Sunandha Savang Vadhana, and Saovabha

When she was ten years old, King Mongkut died and was succeeded by Sukhumala Marasri's half-brother, Prince Chulalongkorn.

Life as queen

About age 17, Sukhumala was married to King Chulalongkorn. The marriage produced two children; Princess Suddha Dibyaratana (later the Princess of Ratanakosin), who was also the first surviving Chao-Fah, a child of the sovereign which their mother is the Queen Consort or a Princess by blood, and Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand (later the Prince of Nakorn Sawan.) In her husband's reign she served as the King's secretary and was referred to as "the Princess Consort".

After her husband died, she moved to her son's palace, Bang Khun Prom. During the reign of King Vajiravudh, her nephew, he officially named her as his father's fourth queen consort, making her official title Her Majesty Queen Sukhumala. When Prajadhipok succeeded to the throne, he gave his father's two surviving queens consort, Savang Vadhana and Sukhumala, the title of "the Queen Aunt". In the same style Sukhumala was preceded by Savang Vadhana, reflecting the fact that Savang Vadhana was created queen consort by Chulalongkorn before Sukhumala.

Queen Consort Sukhumala Marasri died on 9 July 1927 at the age of 66 at the Bang Khun Prom Palace (H.R.H. Prince Paripatra Sukhumbhand Palace). Her only surviving child, Prince Paripatra Sukhumbhand, and her younger full sister, Princess Napaborn, were at her bed side.

Titles and styles

• 1861–1881 : Her Royal Highness Princess Sukhumala Marasri
• 1881–1910 : Her Royal Highness Princess Sukhumala Marasri, Princess Consort
• 1910–1925 : Her Majesty Queen Sukhumala Marasri, Royal Consort of HM King Chulalongkorn
• 1925–1927 : Her Majesty The Queen Aunt

Thai Royal Decorations

• The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri
• The Ancient and Auspicious of Order of the Nine Gems
• Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• King Rama IV Royal Cypher Medal (Second Class)
• King Rama V Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
• King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
• King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)

References

• Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3

See also

• Chulalongkorn
• Sukhumbhand Paripatra

v t e Queens and consorts of the Chakri Dynasty First Reign Amarindra Second Reign Sri Suriyendra Kundala Dibayavadi Fourth Reign Somanass Waddhanawathy Debsirindra Pannarai Fifth Reign Sunandha Kumariratana Sukhumala Marasri Savang Vadhana Saovabha Bongsri Sixth Reign Laksamilawan Indrasakdi Sachi Suvadhana Seventh Reign Rambhai Barni Ninth Reign (current) Sirikit (current) Princess consorts are in italics. The others are queen consorts.