Bhumibol ascended to the throne following the death of his brother, King Ananda Mahido in 1946. The young King decided to continue his education in Switzerland, to prepare himself more effectively for his new position as ruler.
In 1948, one could often see a certain young gentleman frequently visiting the Thai Embassy in Paris. The beautiful scenery of the embassy grounds was not the only reasons for those occasional visits: the ambassador had a very beautiful daughter, then only 15. The young Gentleman was King Bhumibol of Thailand and the young Lady was Sirikit Kitiyakara, descendant of King Rama V.
A few months later Bhumibol suffered a car crash, which hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him sight in his right eye. While he was hospitalized in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that Bhumibol could get to know her better.
The romance flowered into full color and on 19 July 1949 an official engagement was announced from the King's Villa Wattana in Lausanne. When the news reached Thailand, the people were simply ecstatic. After the deprivations of wartime occupation, the nation was hungry for good news and a chance for celebration.
The couple was married on April 28, 1950. Four children would come from this union: Ubol Ratana in 1951, Maha Vajiralongkorn in 1952, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 1955 and Chulabhorn Walailak in 1957.
Sirikit was always the King's most trusted advisor. Following the death of his grandmother, Queen Savang Vadhana in 1956, Bhumibol had to undertake a period of service as a Buddhist monk. Sirikit was appointed regent for the period, becaming only second Queen in Thai history to be honoured in that way. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was later made Queen Regent.
Both Bhumibol and Sirikit are immensely popular and deeply respected in Thailand. Their birthdays are national holidays. Queen Sirikit’s birthday is also Thailand’s official mothers’ day.
They are particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine.
Bhumibol is a painter, photographer, author, accomlished jazz musician and composer. He was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership of the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna at the age of 32.
The King is also an accomplished sailor and sailboat designer. He won a gold medal for sailing in the Fourth Southwest Asian Peninsular Games in 1967.
The Queen’s ceaseless work in promoting tolerance and understanding for the Muslim minorities in the southernmost provinces, have made her especially popular amongst the local Muslim populace.
The Thai Royal Family is greatly respected by the majority of Thai people. But the King himself stated the Royal Family should not be above criticism. In his 2005 birthday speech Bhumibol said, "Actually, I must also be criticized. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the king cannot be criticized, it means that the king is not human".
Bhumibol and Sirikit have celebrated many anniversaries together. In 2005 they celebrated their Emerald Wedding Anniversary. 2006 was marked by the Diamond Jubilee of the King’s accession to the Throne. The state banquet for the Royal visitors, held in the Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, was attended by Royals from 26 countries. In 2007 year-long celebrations of King Bhumibol’s 80th birthday commenced.
Together the Bhumibol and Sirikit have visited every corner of their country, and wherever they went, they were most enthusiastically welcomed by their people.
Crown Prince Akihito met his future wife Michiko on a tennis court in Karuizawa in August 1957. Their romance resulted in the engagement, which was announced in November 1958. In accordance with the Imperial House Law, the Imperial House Council, headed by the Prime Minister, gave its unanimous consent to the marriage. Dr. Shinzo Koizumi, said of this marriage: "The Crown Prince chose her, and so did we."
The whole nation was enchanted by the traditional wedding ceremony that took place on April 10, 1959. It was one of the happiest days in the history of post-war Japan. However, there were also those, who strongly opposed the wedding. The future Crown Princess was the daughter of a wealthy buisnessman, but she was a commoner. Empress Kojun herself was strongly against her son's engagement.
Only recently a light was shred on some of the problems Michiko had. It was reported that the Dowager Empress had bullied her daughter-in-law into a nervous breakdown in the early 1960s, and as a result, the Princess had lost her voice for several months. She again lost her voice in the Fall of 1993, and although the court doctors attributed this to ‘strong feelings of distress’, it was believed to be a reaction to personal attacks by Japanese media. An article written by Sheila Johnson, "Sad Lives: A Tale of Two Princesses" reported that in the 1960s, rumors abounded that Crown Princess Michiko underwent an abortion, partly to spite her controlling father-in-law.
In spite of everything, the Crown Prince and Princess were greatly popular among the Japanese people. They welcomed their first son Naruhito in 1960. He was followed by a younger brother, Akishino in 1965, and a sister, Sayako in 1969.
The Crown Princess brought her three children up herself with loving care. She breast-fed all of them, and when the children were of school-age, she would prepare their lunch-boxes early every morning. Later, she said about her approach to child-raising: "I have consulted the Emperor on every matter and I am grateful to him for the precious advice he gave me, based on his own experiences, which was most helpful to me."
On 7 January 1989, Emperor Akihito acceded to the throne as the 125th Emperor of Japan. The Ceremony of Enthronement was attended by representatives of 158 countries, including Monarchs and Heads of State.
The Emperor and Empress did their best to be closer to their people. Their Majesties have visited all 47 prefectures and many of the remote islands of Japan. They make at least three domestic trips every year. On those trips they always visit welfare, cultural or industrial facilities to give encouragement to the local people involved. Especially concerned about welfare, they have visited more than 450 facilities for children, the elderly and the handicapped throughout the country.
They visit areas struck by major natural disasters, to console the victims and to give support to the rescue workers. In January 1995, they flew to Hyogo Prefecture after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as soon as local conditions made it possible. On the day of the trip, by plane, by helicopter and by mini-bus, they visited several widely separated places in the disaster area from early in the morning until late in the evening.
Since the Emperor's enthronement, Their Majesties have so far made official visits to 19 countries, bringing the number of countries they have visited to 46.
Every year, following the example of his father, Emperor Showa, the Emperor himself plants and harvests rice, the traditional main crop in Japan, at the paddy-field in the Palace Grounds.
The Empress raises silkworms at the Palace sericulture centre, with the help of several staff-members, feeding them with mulberry leaves, following the precedent set in 1871 by Empress Dowager Shoken. Some of the silk thus produced is used for a revival of old textile material of historical value.
On certain days of the year determined by tradition, Their Majesties pay their respects to the Imperial ancestors at the Palace Sanctuary, and pray for the happiness and welfare of the people.
Their Majesties' interests encompass broad areas of learning and culture. They attend annual award ceremonies of the Japan Academy and the Japan Academy of Arts.
The Emperor has a keen interest in natural life and its conservation. He encourages research projects on natural life in the grounds of the Imperial estates.
For many years, the Emperor has made a taxonomic study of gobies, small fish found in fresh, brackish and marine waters. He was one of the contributors to “
The Fishes of the Japanese Archipelago”,the first illustrated book of all the fishes in Japanese waters.
The Emperor became one of the co-writers of "Fishes of Japan with Pictorial Keys to the Species" published in 2000.
Empress Michiko has an extensive interest in art, and is particularly well-read in Japanese classical literature. She has constantly kept up her interest in children's literature and has done work in that field herself.
The Empress loves music. She plays the piano, and is a good accompanist to the Emperor who plays the cello and to Crown Prince Naruhito who plays the viola and violin. She is occasionally heard practicing on the piano and she enjoys playing in a small chamber ensemble with her musician friends. The Empress also gives encouragement and support to
Gagaku, classical court music and dance, often attending its performances by court musicians/dancers or descendants of former aristocrats.
Almost every day, the Emperor and Empress take early morning walks in the Palace woods and gardens where they can enjoy the changes of the seasons and be close to nature which they both love. On weekends they play tennis, their favourite sport, when their schedule permits.
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