This handout photo shows Thai King Bumibhol Adulyadej lighting candles at a ceremony performed by 20 senior monks at the Grand Palace to mark Coronation day, in Bangkok, 04 May 2007. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest-reigning monarch. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO/HO/ROYAL BUREAU (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand dies
01:17 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

The question of when Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will ascend the throne of Thailand will have to wait, after the successor to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Thursday, said he ‘needs time to mourn his father’.

The prince’s decision was relayed to the media by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, after an extraordinary meeting at Thailand’s National Assembly.

“We are at the most important time. We need to do everything smoothly. I met Crown Prince today and he has been aware that he has been appointed as a successor up until now.

“But he needs time to jointly mourn with Thai people.”

Prince Vajiralongkorn was named as successor to the throne on December 28, 1972.

The Thai royal family, (L to R) King Bhumibol Adulyadej,left, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, center, and Queen Sirikit in 1999.
The Thai royal family, (L to R) King Bhumibol Adulyadej,left, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, center, and Queen Sirikit in 1999.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images

Born in July 1952, Vajiralongkorn was introduced to the Thai public through his father’s home videos, which were shown on newsreels in theaters across the country.

As a young man, he was educated in the United Kingdom and at Australia’s Royal Military College in Duntroon, Canberra.

He was officially declared crown prince and heir apparent to the Thai throne in 1972.

His older sister, 65-year-old princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya, is not eligible to ascend the throne due to the Thai laws of succession, which don’t allow women to become the country’s monarch.

Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned king on May 5, 1950. News of the 88-year-old's death was announced Thursday, October 13, via a statement from the Royal Palace read on state TV. He was the world's longest-reigning living monarch.
Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned king on May 5, 1950. News of the 88-year-old's death was announced Thursday, October 13, via a statement from the Royal Palace read on state TV. He was the world's longest-reigning living monarch.
John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Bhumibol, left, is pictured in 1935 with his older brother, the former King Ananda Mahidol, in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the boys attended school. King Ananda was 20 when he died of a gunshot wound under mysterious circumstances. His 18-year-old brother, known then as Prince Phumiphon Aduldet, later assumed the throne to become King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Bhumibol, left, is pictured in 1935 with his older brother, the former King Ananda Mahidol, in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the boys attended school. King Ananda was 20 when he died of a gunshot wound under mysterious circumstances. His 18-year-old brother, known then as Prince Phumiphon Aduldet, later assumed the throne to become King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
AP
Bhumibol and his future wife, Princess Sirikit Kityakara, are pictured in Lausanne in 1949. The couple married a year later at Srapathum Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bhumibol and his future wife, Princess Sirikit Kityakara, are pictured in Lausanne in 1949. The couple married a year later at Srapathum Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
AP
The King and Queen pose with their children, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Ubol Ratana, on the steps of Bangkok's Chitralada Palace in 1955. Two more daughters, Princesses Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Chulabhorn Walailak, were born in 1955 and 1957.
The King and Queen pose with their children, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Ubol Ratana, on the steps of Bangkok's Chitralada Palace in 1955. Two more daughters, Princesses Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Chulabhorn Walailak, were born in 1955 and 1957.
AP
The royal couple ride with U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower during a five-day state visit to the United States in 1960.
The royal couple ride with U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower during a five-day state visit to the United States in 1960.
AP
The King, far right, plays the saxophone during a 1960 jam session with legendary jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman and his band in New York.
The King, far right, plays the saxophone during a 1960 jam session with legendary jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman and his band in New York.
AP
The King walks with his wife and their 13-year-old son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, during a visit to Britain in 1966.
The King walks with his wife and their 13-year-old son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, during a visit to Britain in 1966.
Harris/AP
The King convenes the first meeting of his country's National Reform Assembly during a ceremony held in Bangkok in 1976. The King put the monarchy at the center of Thai society, acting as a force for community and tradition even as the country flipped between political crises and military coups.
The King convenes the first meeting of his country's National Reform Assembly during a ceremony held in Bangkok in 1976. The King put the monarchy at the center of Thai society, acting as a force for community and tradition even as the country flipped between political crises and military coups.
Mangkorn/AP
The King raises a camera to take a photo in 1995. He was given his first camera in 1934, which ignited a lifelong enthusiasm for photography. He has often been seen with a camera around his neck during public appearances.
The King raises a camera to take a photo in 1995. He was given his first camera in 1934, which ignited a lifelong enthusiasm for photography. He has often been seen with a camera around his neck during public appearances.
Patrick AVENTURIER/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
The King and Queen survey a rice crop made possible by a Royal Irrigation Project in 1996. The project formed part of the Royal Development Projects, which focused on developing remote rural areas. The King has taken an interest in environmental projects throughout his long reign.
The King and Queen survey a rice crop made possible by a Royal Irrigation Project in 1996. The project formed part of the Royal Development Projects, which focused on developing remote rural areas. The King has taken an interest in environmental projects throughout his long reign.
CHARLES DHARAPAK/AP
The King reviews an honor guard with Queen Sirikit and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn during the annual military parade to celebrate his birthday in 2006.
The King reviews an honor guard with Queen Sirikit and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn during the annual military parade to celebrate his birthday in 2006.
SAKCHAI LALIT/AP
The King lights candles at a ceremony to mark Coronation Day in Bangkok in 2007.
The King lights candles at a ceremony to mark Coronation Day in Bangkok in 2007.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
The King is wheeled towards his yacht in 2010, during a rare public appearance to open a new flood gate and two bridges in Bangkok.
The King is wheeled towards his yacht in 2010, during a rare public appearance to open a new flood gate and two bridges in Bangkok.
AP
The King is pictured with family members in 2012. He addressed a crowd from a balcony on his 85th birthday.
The King is pictured with family members in 2012. He addressed a crowd from a balcony on his 85th birthday.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
The King is seen through a car window as he leaves the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok in 2015.
The King is seen through a car window as he leaves the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok in 2015.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images
A portrait of the King is held on the eve of his 88th birthday as people gather outside the Siriraj hospital in 2015. The King of Thailand is regarded as a demi-god by many Thais, and his popularity has been viewed as a unifying force during times of political unrest.
A portrait of the King is held on the eve of his 88th birthday as people gather outside the Siriraj hospital in 2015. The King of Thailand is regarded as a demi-god by many Thais, and his popularity has been viewed as a unifying force during times of political unrest.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A life in pictures

Currently single, Vajiralongkorn has been married three times - to Soamsawali Kitiyakara in 1977, Yuvadhida Polpraserth in 1994 and Srirasmi Suwadee in 2001.

He was divorced from Princess Srirasmi in 2014 after a period of separation.

He has seven children from his three marriages, the oldest of whom is 37-year-old princess Bajrakitiyabha, who was Thailand’s ambassador to Austria between 2012 and 2014.

He also owned a much-loved poodle called Foo Foo, which died in 2015 at the age of 17.

Thai King mourned

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    • Vijiralongkorn will inherit the throne from the longest-regining monarch in Thailand’s history; King Bhumibol celebrated the 70th anniversary of his reign in June 2016.

    In December 2015, crown prince Vajiralongkorn led as many as 100,000 cyclists in the inaugural “Bike for Dad” ride around Bangkok, to celebrate his father’s 88th birthday.