The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit, he was made crown prince by his father in 1972, at the age of 20. After his father’s death on 13 October 2016, he was expected to ascend to the Thai throne but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne.[4] He accepted the throne on the night of 1 December 2016. His coronation took place from 4–6 May 2019.