An heir is born: Prince Vajiralongkorn
Queen Sirikit gave birth to boy, Prince Vajiralongkorn, the first son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and heir to the throne. The Prince was the second child to be born to the royal couple. The Queen went into labour at 9am, prompting members of the Royal Household Bureau, government leaders and others to gather at the Ambara Villa in the Dusit Palace in anticipation of the event.
News of the birth was splashed throughout Thailand’s media. The King photographed his son when he was just 48 hours old, and permitted the picture to be published in newspapers. The caption identified Prince Vajiralongkorn as ‘Thailand’s new heir to the throne’.
The Prince was named by the Buddhist Lord Patriarch, Somdej Phra Vajirayanawong, at the request of the King.