The Mahidol family’s return to Thailand on November 15, 1938, was much different to their previous visit due to the new status. From Europe, they travelled on a Danish liner, SS Meonia, transferring to the HTMS Sri Ayudhya amid a 21-gun salute, an overhead fly-past and a spectacular reception at the Grand Palace river landing.
As a yet uncrowned king, King Ananda Mahidol was accorded a seven-tier umbrella. The pomp and ceremony must have bewildered the young king, who had up to now been making his own bed and picking apples, but the importance of his new status must have dawned on the young king when his own grandmother, Queen Savang Vadhana, prostrated herself before him within the confines of the Grand Palace.
During this short, two-month visit, one of King Ananda Mahidol’s formal duties was to elevate his mother to the rank of Somdet Phra Rajajonani Srisangwan – Her Royal Highness Princess Srisangwan the Princess Mother. In all the pictures that date to this period, the bespectacled Prince Bhumibol was always seen with the king, close by yet just a step behind.
The visit was all too short, and soon the young royals returned to Switzerland to resume their studies. As it turned out, Switzerland proved to be a perfect and safe environment for the family as World War II ravaged Europe and Asia.