A QUEEN AND MISTER PUTIN

Day 2,092, 09:56 • Published in Thailand Thailand • by Mystela


For 81 years, she has lived her life under nearly constant scrutiny, not by birth or by choice, but by virtue of who she fell in love with, a steadfast love shared to this day. She is genuinely admired & loved by millions of her countrymen & women.

She is Sirikit & today is her birthday!
“Born 12 August 1932 as Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kittiyakara (Thai: สิริกิติ์ กิติยากร; RTGS: Sirikit Kittiyakon), is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama I😵 of Thailand.” 

From a sweet little girl with a wooden doll, to a beautiful Queen with a diamond tiara -



From sidelong glances filled with uncertainty, to growing confidence, to a lifelong love -



From the wonderment of the first child, to the normal demands of a growing family, to the loving, mutual respect of adults -



From visits directed by entertainment moguls, to local restaurant openings in the company of happy patrons -



From the splendor & minute details of Coronations, to the protocols of meetings with Heads of State -



From the delegated, trusted leader of millions, to the personal confidante of one -



Both nationally & internationally, the Queen's personal lifestyle, humanitarian contributions & political involvement, have been recognized by many. The list of Honours, Awards, Honorary Degrees & Titles, given to her over the years, is more a reflection of the Queen's hands on experience, than an empty formality sometimes accorded to heads of state.

She has tried to carry out her duties & to live her life in an, as normal & down to earth way, as protocol & security would allow. Now with increasing age, as with all parents, she must accept the inevitable reversal of roles.

From the protector of her vulnerable child, to the vulnerable Mom under the protection of that child -



Queen Sirikit has lived her 81 years, with a graceful presence filled with intelligence, strength & especially a sincere interest in & affection for her country & for all those who call Thailand home!



Long live Queen Sirikit!
Long live Thailand!

Notes:

1 - For those of you who are interested in history, or in royalty or Thailand, then on the occasion of her 80th. birthday, the Public Relations Department of Thailand published a 152 page book, which includes pictures not published elsewhere & which you can view in its entirety. It loaded a bit slowly on my computer, but it's quite beautiful & interesting.

2 - The Royal Standard of Her Majesty, the Queen of Thailand, Queen Sirikit is the Royal Garuda on the yellow background. Queen Sirikit's Personal Flag is the stylized cyper, which is her acronym, together with the Great Crown of Victory on the blue background, blue being the colour of Friday, the day of her birth.

3 - Since 1976, Mother's Day in Thailand has been celebrated on the Queen's Birthday.

4 - In Thailand, Jasmine is the flower traditionally associated with Mothers.

5 - The National News Bureau of Thailand's coverage of today's events in honour of the Queen & of Mother's Day.



EDIT to the links in #'s 3 & 5 to substitute shortened links which work, for the originals which don't?

tl;dr
THAI POWER! WE HAVE A QUEEN & MISTER PUTIN!