The Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October 2016. Maha Vajiralongkorn is the only male heir of the former Thai monarch. The Crown Prince was born on July 28, 1952.

Photo: Bhumibol Adulyadej, his wife and son Maha (left).

The new king of Thailand studied abroad, in the UK and Australia. In 1976, Maha Vajiralongkorn became a professional military pilot and got a degree in the Royal Military College in Canberra, Australia.

Maha Vajiralongkorn has seven children. He was married three times.

Photo: Bhumibol Adulyadej's family celebrates his birthday. Maha Vajiralongkorn is the second from the right.

Bhumibol Adulyadej took care of his son's future in advance. In 1972, Thailand's King gave Vajiralongkorn the title “The Crown Prince of Siam" and made him the heir apparent to the throne.

In 1975, Maha Vajiralongkorn started to serve as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army, and in 1978 he became the head of the King's Own Bodyguard Battalion.

Ceremony of accession to the throne was expected to take place immediately after Bhumibol Adulyadej's death, however, the Crown Prince asked for delay due to deep mourning.

Photo: Bhumibol Adulyadej, the US first lady Laura Bush and the Crown Prince of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn are having a dinner together at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Photo: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Kate greet Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his wife, Princess Srirasmi, during their visit to the Windsor Castle.