Ubolratana Rajakanya
Ubolratana Rajakanya | |
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Princess of Thailand | |
Princess Ubolratana (2010) | |
Born |
Lausanne, Switzerland | 5 April 1951
Spouse |
Peter Ladd Jensen (m. 1972; div. 1998) |
Issue |
Ploypailin Jensen Poom Jensen Sirikitiya Jensen |
House |
House of Mahidol Chakri Dynasty |
Father | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Mother | Sirikit |
Religion | Buddhism |
Thai Royal Family |
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Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (Thai: อุบลรัตนราชกัญญา; rtgs: Ubonrat Ratchakanya; Thai pronunciation: [ʔù.bon.rát râːt.tɕʰa.kan.jāː]; born 5 April 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland), or full name Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi (Thai: อุบลรัตนราชกัญญา สิริวัฒนาพรรณวดี; rtgs: Ubonrat Ratchakanya Siriwatthana Phannawadi), is a princess of Thailand and the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. She relinquished her royal title and settled in the United States with her husband, Peter Ladd Jensen, but returned to Thailand after divorcing in 1998.
Since her return to Thailand, she has increasingly taken part in royal ceremonies, though not to the extent of her royal siblings. In 2008, she began a film career, playing the main role in the Thai film Where The Miracle Happens.
Early life
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya is the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. She was born on 5 April 1951 at Mont Suisse Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. She returned to Thailand and stayed at Ambhornsathan Throne Hall, Dusit Palace. She was styled Her Royal Highness by her father at the Royal Celebration of the first month birthday ceremony (Phra Ratchaphithi Somphot Duean Lae Khuen Phra U; พระราชพิธีสมโภชเดือนและขึ้นพระอู่) King Bhumibol Adulyadej gave her name and style Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi. Her names are derived from several royal ancestors:
- The name Ubol Ratana comes from her maternal grandmother, Mom Luang Bua Sanitvongse.
- The name Siri comes from the name of her mother, Queen Sirikit.
- The name Vadhana comes from the name of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Sri Savarindira (Savang Vadhana), the Queen Grandmother.
She has taken part in royal duties since she was very young.
In 4th SEA Games in 1967 in Bangkok, the King and Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya competed in sailing and won gold medals.
Education
Ubol Ratana attended primary to secondary levels at Chitralada School. She went to the United States for her tertiary education. She studied at MIT, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1973.[1] She later obtained a master's degree in public health at University of California at Los Angeles.
While at MIT she first met Peter Ladd Jensen, whom she later married.
Marriage and family
On 25 July 1972, Ubol Ratana relinquished her royal titles to marry Jensen, then lived in the United States with her husband for over 26 years. Her husband, as a foreigner, did not receive any royal titles. After years of rumoured marital problems, they divorced in 1998. Ubol Ratana and her children lived in San Diego until 2001, when they returned to Thailand.
Ubol Ratana and Peter Ladd Jensen had three children: two daughters and a son, all born in the United States.
- Khun Ploypailin Jensen (born 12 February 1981)
- Khun Bhumi Jensen (affectionately known as Khun Poom) (16 August 1983 – 26 December 2004), who had autism, died in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Princess Ubol Ratana established the Khun Poom Foundation (มูลนิธิคุณพุ่ม) in his memory, to aid children with autism and other learning disabilities.
- Khun Sirikitiya Jensen (born 18 March 1985)
While Ubolratana Rajakanya Jensen remained in the U.S., her mother Queen Sirikit and other members of the Royal Family often flew to the United States for visits. Ubol Ratana likewise flew to Thailand along with her husband to visit her parents and the other members of the Royal Family, while joining them in royal ceremonies when she visited Thailand. She visited in 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1996, taking part in several family events, before her permanent return in 2001.
Styles of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya of Thailand (1951-1972) | |
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Reference style | Her Royal Highness |
Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
Alternative style | Ma'am |
Royal title
Ubol Ratana was born with the titles of Her Royal Highness and Princess Chao Fa, but gave these up on her marriage to an American citizen. The title Chao Fa was lost because she married a commoner. She had previously held the royal title Chao Fa Ubolratana Rajakanya. She still retains the style of Tunkramom Ying, which means "Daughter to the Queen Regent". Since her return to Thailand, she has increasingly taken part in royal ceremonies, though not to the extent of her siblings.
- Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (1951 - 1972)
- Mrs. Ubolratana Rajakanya Jensen / Mrs. Julie Jensen[2][3] (1972 - 1998)
- Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya / Mrs. Ubolratana Mahidol (1998–present)
Film career
Ubol Ratana acted in the Thai movie 'Where The Miracle Happens (หนึ่งใจ..เดียวกัน), released in August 2008. She plays the drama's main role of a lonely-at-the-top CEO who begins a life of philanthropy after the death of her only daughter.[4] On October 2010, she appeared in the film My Best Bodyguard (มายเบสต์บอดีการ์ด).
Thai royal decorations
Ubol Ratana has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:
- The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri
- Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
- Dame Grand Cordon of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
- Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
- King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
Foreign decorations
- Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown[5]
- Spain: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic[6][7]
Ancestry
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See also
References
- ↑ "Prince dies in tsunami, was grad of Torrey Pines". The San Diego Union-Tribune. 30 Dec 2004. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ↑ "Prince dies in tsunami, was grad of Torrey Pines". The San Diego Union-Tribune. December 30, 2004. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ↑ Former Del Mar resident and Thai royal is among tsunami dead
- ↑ Where The Miracle Happens website
- ↑ http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f88/dutch-state-visit-to-thailand-january-19-23-2004-a-1665-3.html
- ↑ http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=229676&d=1140701177
- ↑ http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=229460&d=1140634296
Ubolratana Rajakanya Born: 5 April 1951 | ||
Order of precedence | ||
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Preceded by Princess Chulabhorn Walailak |
King's daughter 6th position |
Succeeded by Princess Soamsawali |
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