Just days before his official coronation, Thailand'sKing Maha Vajiralongkorn on Wednesday married the deputy head of his personalguard force and gave her the title Queen Suthida.
The surprise announcement was carried in the Royal Gazette, and the footage from the wedding ceremony was shown on Thai TV channels late Wednesday, showing other members of the royal family and palace advisers in attendance.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, became theconstitutional monarch after the death of his much-loved father in 2016.
King Vajiralongkorn "has decided to promoteGeneral Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya, his royal consort, to become QueenSuthida and she will hold royal title and status as part of the royalfamily".
He is due to be officially crowned in elaborateBuddhist and Brahmin ceremonies on Saturday, followed by a procession throughBangkok the next day.
Queen Suthida is King Vajiralongkorn's long-term partner and has been seen with him in public for many years, though their relationship has never before been officially acknowledged.
The king made Suthida a full general in the Royal Thai Army in December 2016, and the deputy commander of the king's personal guard in 2017. He also made her a Thanpuying, a royal title meaning Lady.
The king is seen pouring sacred water on the head ofQueen Suthida. The couple then signs a marriage registry.
