As in accordance with Thai royal tradition, King Vajiravudh later bestowed on his mother the title of "Queen Mother Sri Bajrindra" (Thai: ศรีพัชรินทร. Rtgs: Si Phatcharin). Saovabha was born as a Princess of Siam to King Mongkut (or Rama IV) and Princess Consort Piyamavadi (Piam Sucharitakul).
She was the youngest sister of the future Queen Sunandha Kumariratana and Queen Savang Vadhana. When he returned he bestowed upon her the title of "Somdet Phra Nang Chao Saowapha Phongsi Praborommarachininat" (RTGS) (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าเสาวภาผ่องศรี พระบรมราชินีนาถ) (roughly equivalent to Her Majesty the Queen Regent). During her time as queen she took many interests especially in the issues concerning women.
In 1904 she established one of the first schools for girls in Siam.
The "Rajini School" or Queen"s School in Bangkok. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute was named after her.
1864 – 1869: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri 1869 – 1878: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Sister 1878 – 1879: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the King"s Consort 1879 – 1880: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Consort (lower class) 1880 – 1894: Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri, the Princess Consort (upper class) 1894 – 1897: Her Majesty Queen Saovabha Phongsri, the Royal Consort 1897 – 1910: Her Majesty Queen Saovabha Phongsri, the Queen Regent 1910 – 1919: Her Majesty Queen Regent Saovabha Phongsri, the Queen Mother.
