Thai King appoints Queen right before coronation

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn married General Suthida Vajiralongkorn, a member of the royal guard, on May 1 and named her Queen. The announcement came just before Vajiralongkorn's coronation on May 4.

The surprise announcement was published in the Royal Gazette and footage of the wedding was broadcast on all Thai television channels. The wedding took place at the Dusit Palace in Bangkok on May 1. Suthida wore a traditional silk dress while the King wore a white military uniform. At the wedding, Suthida knelt before the King before she was invited to sit next to him to sign the marriage certificate and was given the title of Queen. She was also given the title Thanpuying by the King of Thailand - a noble royal title meaning "Lady".

King Vajiralongkorn, 66, also known as King Rama X, ascended the throne in October 2016 after the death of his father, King Bhumibhol Adulayej. His official coronation is scheduled for May 4, followed by a royal procession in Bangkok on May 5.

In 2014, Vajiralongkorn appointed Suthida Tidjai, a former Thai Airways flight attendant, as deputy commander of the royal guard. At the time, some observers and media speculated about a close relationship between Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Suthida, but the Thai royal family has never officially acknowledged the relationship between the two.

In December 2016, Ms. Suthida was promoted to the rank of general and became head of the personal bodyguard unit protecting King Vajiralongkorn. In June 2017, she became acting commander of the Royal Thai Military Attaché Department after the Royal Security Command was reorganized. Before marrying Queen Suthida, the king had been married three times./.