Mongkut (Rama IV) crowned King of Siam (1851)

Mongkut, born in 1804, ascended the Siamese throne in 1851 after twenty-seven years of monastic life, aged 47. His reign saw the formal adoption of the title King of Siam in official and diplomatic contexts, the first official use of the name Grand Palace in documents, and the crowning of his brother as Second King Pinklao.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Mongkut was born in 1804 in the Old (Thonburi) Palace. After twenty-seven years of monastic life, he voluntarily defrocked and ascended the throne in 1851, aged 47. During his reign, the title King of Siam came to be formally adopted, particularly in official and diplomatic contexts, although foreigners had long used the term Siam for the kingdom.

Coronation. The Grand Palace in Bangkok served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. It was the main venue where royal coronations were performed at the beginning of each king's reign. During Mongkut's reign, the name Grand Palace was first used in official documents, coinciding with the elevation of his brother to Second King.

Second King. Mongkut appointed his younger brother, Prince Chutamani, as Second King. Chutamani was crowned in 1851 as King Pinklao. This elevation coincided with the first official use of the name Grand Palace in documents, which was made during the elevation of Prince Chutamani to the title of Second King Pinklao in 1851.

People involved

Sources

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