A prominent member of a revered Royal family has passed away at the age of 93 due to a fatal blood infection.
Queen Sirikit of Thailand, who was the mother of the current monarch King Vajiralongkorn, breathed her last on Friday, October 24. She was not only the mother of the reigning king but also the spouse of Thailand’s longest-serving monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Their marriage endured for 66 years, marking them as one of the longest-married Royal couples in history, akin to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
The news of her demise has deeply affected the nation, with the populace mourning the loss of their beloved queen.
In an official statement released by the Thai Royal family, it was confirmed that Queen Sirikit had passed away, shocking millions due to the monarchy’s immense popularity. Throughout the country, portraits of Sirikit grace the walls of homes and public edifices, given the monarchy’s perceived semi-divine right to govern.
According to Al Arabiya, the palace revealed that Queen Sirikit had been battling various illnesses since her hospitalization in 2019. Among these was a blood infection diagnosed by physicians earlier this month, leading to her deteriorating condition until her passing on Friday at Chulalongkorn Hospital at the age of 93, as reported by the Daily Star.
Queen Sirikit was a prominent figure in Thai fashion during her 66-year reign as queen, and she dedicated herself to philanthropic endeavors aiding the underprivileged and disadvantaged.
She drew comparisons in Western media, with many likening her to former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Britain’s Princess Diana.
The Thai populace has been left distraught by the news, with many pondering how the nation will navigate the absence of her presence.
Housekeeper Sasis Putthasit expressed on Saturday morning, October 25, that the passing of Sirikit would be a poignant moment for the Thai people.
“I had been aware of her failing health, considering her advanced age, I knew this day would arrive, but I didn’t anticipate it to be today,” Sasis admitted. “I feel sorrowful as she was a maternal figure to the nation, and now she is no more.”
Following the demise of Queen Sirikit, King Vajiralongkorn has decreed a year of national mourning for the Royal family.
Across the nation, television hosts have been instructed to wear black attire during news broadcasts as a tribute to the departed monarch.
Queen Sirikit first gained prominence when her husband