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Agence France-Presse

Thailand’s new monarch King Maha Vajiralongkorn led prayers for his late father on Friday, his first appearance at Bangkok’s Grand Palace since he was officially appointed the day before after a seven week delay.
The ceremony, which was broadcast live on television, offered Thais their first glimpse of Vajiralongkorn presiding over official duties as their new king, the tenth ruler of the current Chakri dynasty.

Thailand has been plunged into grief since the death of his widely revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13 October after seven-decades on the throne.
The kingdom also experienced an unusual royal interregnum when Thailand’s ruling junta announced that Vajiralongkorn, 64, had asked to put off officially ascending the throne to mourn his father.


The monarchy is shielded by a harsh royal defamation law making debate about its role impossible in the kingdom and forcing media to heavily self-censor.
The brief period of succession uncertainty came to an end this week with Vajiralongkorn’s official proclamation as the new king capped by an acceptance ceremony on Thursday evening.

Palace officials have announced that his full title is now Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. He will also be known as King Rama X.
Friday’s ceremony marked 50 days since Bhumibol’s death, a particularly auspicious funerary period in Thai Buddhism.

Vajiralongkorn was accompanied by his three recognised children, a daughter from his first marriage, a daughter from his second and 11-year-old Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, who is being schooled in Germany.
His coronation will take place after Bhumibol’s cremation, which will not occur until after a one-year mourning period has ended.


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King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Thailand’s new king leads prayers for his late father

Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun speaks as he accepts an invitation from parliament to succeed his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Photo: Reuters

Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun pays respect to a picture of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Addlyadej and Queen Sirikit, as he accepts an invitation from parliament to succeed his father, at Bangkok's Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, December 1, 2016. Thailand Royal Household Bureau/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

epa05656003 A Thai woman walks past a large a portrait of the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X) as displayed in observance of the accession of newly proclaimed King Rama X to the throne, in front of the SME Bank building in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 December 2016. Thailand has new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted to ascend the throne to become the country's new monarch, the 10th King of the 234-year-old Chakri Dynasty on 01 December 2016. The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun succeeds his late father, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, who died at the age of 88 in Siriraj hospital on 13 October 2016. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (L) is seen on his way to the Grand Palace to pay respects to late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

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