On 16 September 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the Opening Ceremony for the exhibition titled “120th Anniversary World’s Columbian Exposition: Siam: The Queen and the White City” at the Chicago History Museum.

The exhibition is one of the activities to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of the Late Queen Sri Savarindira, grandmother to His Majesty King Bhumibol. On hand to greet HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn were the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Culture, the Thai Ambassador to the United States of America, and the Thai Consul-General to Chicago.

This is the second time the exhibition is being held following its inauguration in Paris last November.

The exhibition highlights Queen Sri Savarindira’s life and work, as well as showcases elements of Thai court culture, including embroidery, garland making and cuisine. King Bhumibol’s ceremonial robes are also being put on display for the first time outside Thailand. The ceremony was attended by the diplomatic corps in the United States, senior officials, and the general public.

During the ceremony, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivered a keynote speech in honour of the Queen Grandmother and Her contributions to Thailand and the Thai people. Her Royal Highness also played the ra-nard, a traditional Thai xylophone, and performed traditional songs along with a musical ensemble from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department.