Princess Ubolratana on Monday night told large grief-stricken crowds outside the Grand Palace that "we are a family" and encouraged them to extend moral support to each other.
In a video clip released by the "We Love Chakri Dynasty" Facebook Page, the Princess was seen talking to mourners outside the Grand Palace where His Majesty the King's body is being kept.
"[We are here] to express condolences because we are a family. His Majesty is our father. He is everyone's father. We have to extend our support to each other and help each other work and move forward," she told the crowd.
The Princess also brought food for the crowd.
Her visit and kind words left many overwhelmed. They shouted "Long Live the Princess" as she was about to leave. A woman was heard in the clip wishing her good health, and the Princess was heard replying: "We are very strong. Good luck to everyone."
The video clip has gone viral.
The Bureau of the Royal Household has released a photo of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn embracing Princess Ubolratana following a royal merit-making ceremony for His Majesty at the Grand Palace's Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall on Monday.
The public will be allowed to pay homage to the late monarch's urn from 1pm on Oct 28, after the 15-day merit-making ceremony is completed.
Currently they are allowed to pay respects to the King before his portrait and sign condolence books at Sala Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion in the compound of the Grand Palace.
Flashback: August 4, 2007. August 2007 Princess Ubolratana greets HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty the King was hospitalised for a spine operation in July of 2006. The photo, taken by Bangkok Post photographer Apichit Jinakul, won the first runner-up prize in the royal activities category.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn speaks to Princess Ubolratana a moment before the embrase. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Chulabhorn stand nearby. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Household Bureau)
