A Royal Affair in Fremont: Slideshow of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Mahidol’s Return to Our Fair City

On Monday, November 18^th, Fremont was graced by a very special guest. Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Mahidol of Thailand and her royal entourage spent the day at Fremont’s Senior Center. This is the Princess’s second trip to the City of Fremont. She first visited the Fremont Senior Center back in 1996, where she apparently had such a fantastic time that she couldn’t resist a return trip. It’s nice to know that Fremont is fit for royals too.

Here’s a recap of the festivities:

The Princess certainly arrived in style. Accompanied by a Fremont police motorcade, H.R.H. Princess Soamsawali Mahidol arrived in a black Mercedes, along with her entourage of 60 people. Council members Sue Chan and Raj Salwan, along with City Manager Fred Diaz and staff from our Human Services Department joined me to welcome her with open arms.

After saying a few words, it was my great honor to present the Key to the City to H.R.H. Princess Soamsawali Mahidol. In ancient days, when cities were still fortified by walls, the key opened up the city to that person symbolically. It is our hope that, with this key, the Princess feels welcome to come back to Fremont anytime she desires.

Next, it was time for some colorful dance performances, including Zumba, by Fremont seniors. After that, it was lunchtime at the Senior Center Dining Room. The menu consisted of tender pork loin, fresh vegetables and good ole American apple pie, as the Princess requested. Papillion, a local French restaurant, generously donated some delicious shrimp appetizers and pasta for all to enjoy.

After lunch, we took a walk down memory lane by checking out a few photos from the Princess’s first visit to the Senior Center back in 1996.

The seniors treated us to what is known as the “Spring Chicken” dance. They demonstrated how dancing with scarves can actually help stretch out the muscles.

Afterwards, the Senior Center transformed into a tropical paradise with a little bit of hula dancing. Two members from the Princess’s entourage couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. (They’re in the suits!)

The Princess was all smiles, clapping along to the music of the Canyon Band, a local favorite. What impressed me the most is that she seemed to know the words to almost every single song!

Next, we enjoyed a “line dancing” performance by the New Life Line Dance group.

More traditional line dancing – very reminiscent of a Congo line!

Here we are posing with the beautiful, ornate gifts that H.R.H. Princess Soamsawali Mahidol kindly gave us.

We wrapped up the day with a golf cart tour around Lake Elizabeth.

Of course, the Princess’s entourage was not far behind.

I want to thank all the City employees and departments who helped to ensure that this day was a success. Our “royal” Fremont Senior Center was filled with so much music, dancing and laughter.