King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida during their wedding ceremony in Bangkok (AFP/Getty)


Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has married the deputy head of his personal bodyguard unit, making her Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhaya.

In a surprise ceremony, the 66-year-old royal tied the knot with his 40-year-old bride ahead of his coronation, which will be marked with elaborate Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies this weekend in Bangkok.

King Vajiralongkorn, also known by the title King Rama X, became constitutional monarch following the death in October 2016 of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who sat on the throne for 70 years.
The father-of-seven has previously been married and divorced three times, most recently in 2014.

Thai television, which broadcast the royal order, showed a video of Suthida prostrating herself before the king.
She presented her new husband with a tray of flowers and joss sticks, and in return was bestowed traditional gifts associated with royal power.
After joining the palace guard in 2013, she became deputy commander of the king’s own bodyguard regiment.

Her husband is a commander of the unit.

Before their marriage, she held the rank of general in the Royal Thai army, having been promoted to the position by royal decree in December 2016 shortly after King Vajiralongkorn took the throne.
Ref:Independent