Saovabha Phongsri
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Queen Saovabha Phongsri (Thai: เสาวภาผ่องศรี; RTGS: Saowapha Phongsi (Pronunciation)) was an agnatic half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Thailand, and mother of both King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). As in accordance with Thai royal tradition, King Vajiravudh later bestowed on his mother the title of "Queen Mother Sri Bajrindra" (Thai: ศรีพัชรินทร; rtgs: Si Phatcharin).
Life
Saovabha was born as a Princess of Siam to King Mongkut (or Rama IV) and Princess Consort Piyamavadi (Piam Sucharitakul). She was the youngest sister of the future Queen Sunandha Kumariratana and Queen Savang Vadhana. Saovabha became the consort of her half brother King Chulalongkorn sometime in 1878. She gave him 9 children, 5 would survive to adulthood (one died in infancy), two would eventually become King of Siam.
In 1897, Queen Saovabha became the first female Regent of Siam, when her husband went on a tour of Europe. When he returned he bestowed upon her the title of "Somdet Phra Nang Chao Saowapha Phongsi Praborommarachininat" (RTGS) (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าเสาวภาผ่องศรี พระบรมราชินีนาถ) (roughly equivalent to H.M. the Queen Regent). During her time as queen she took many interests especially in the issues concerning women. In 1904 she established one of the first schools for girls in Siam; the "Rajini School" or Queen's School in Bangkok.
When she died in 1919 at the age of 57, she was given a grand Royal Funeral, attended by all members of the Siamese Royal Family, and the ceremony was presided over by her son King Vajiravudh. She played a prominent posthumous role in the 1924 Palace Law of Succession, in which her son King Vajiravudh stipulated that her children would take precedent among all others over the line of succession. This guaranteed the accession of her youngest son Prince Prajadhipok to the throne in 1925, despite there being more senior and learned sons of Chulalongkorn. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute was named after her.
Children
She had 9 children with King Chulalongkorn:
| Name | Birth | Death | Spouse | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahurada Manimaya, Princess Debanariratana | 19 December 1878 | 27 August 1887 | ||
| Vajiravudh | 1 January 1880 | 25 November 1925 | Prabai Sucharitakul | None |
| Princess Vannabimol Varavan | None | |||
| Prueng Sucharitakul | None | |||
| Krueakaew Abhaiwongse | Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda | |||
| Prince Tribejrutama Dhamrong | 8 February 1881 | 22 November 1887 | ||
| Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Prince of Bisnulok | 3 March 1883 | 13 June 1920 | Ekaterina Ivanovna Desnitskaya | Prince Chula Chakrabongse |
| Princess Javalit Obhas Rabibadhana | None | |||
| Prince Siriraj Kakudhabhanda | 27 November 1885 | 3 May 1887 | ||
| Princess (Unname) | 13 December 1884 | 13 December 1884 | ||
| Asdang Dejavudh, Prince of Nakhon Rajasima | 12 May 1889 | 9 February 1924 | Paew Suddhiburana | None |
| Chudadhuj Dharadilok, Prince of Bejraburana | 5 July 1892 | 8 July 1923 | La-or Sirisambandh | Princess Sudasiri Sobha |
| Ravi Kayananda | Prince Varananda Dhavaj | |||
| Princess Bunchiradhorn Jumbala | None | |||
| Prajadhipok | 8 November 1893 | 30 May 1941 | Princess Rambai Barni Svastivatana | None |
In addition, the queen also adobted one of Savang Vadhana's daughters, Princess Valaya Alongkorn and raised as her own daughter.
Titles and styles
| Monarchical styles of Queen Saovabha of Siam | |
|---|---|
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| Reference style | Her Royal Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Majesty |
| Alternative style | Madame |
- 1864 – 1869: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri
- 1869 – 1878: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Sister
- 1878 – 1879: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the King's Consort
- 1879 – 1880: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Consort (lower class)
- 1880 – 1894: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Consort (upper class)
- 1894 – 1897: Her Majesty Queen Saovabha Phongsri, the Royal Consort
- 1897 – 1910: Her Majesty Queen Saovabha Phongsri, the Queen Regent
- 1910 – 1919: Her Majesty Queen Regent Saovabha Phongsri, the Queen Mother
Royal Decorations
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The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri -
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The Ancient and Auspicious of Order of the Nine Gems -
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Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao -
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Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand -
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King Rama IV Royal Cypher Medal (Second Class) -
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King Rama V Royal Cypher Medal (First Class) -
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King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
See also
External links
| Saovabha Phongsri Born: 1 January 1864 Died: 20 October 1919 | ||
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| Preceded by Rambery Siriwongse |
Queen Consort of Siam 1878–1910 |
Succeeded by Prabai Sucharitakul |
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