Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall relived some of its former glory on Dec 28, 1972, when HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed the Crown Prince of Thailand.
A huge crowd started gathering around the Royal Plaza hours in advance of the historic ceremony while at other places people sat glued to their television sets waiting to watch it unfold.
The moment arrived for the excited crowds when a police car and motorcycle escort swept into the plaza. These were followed by the royal carriages, which proceeded to the Throne Hall, where over 300 members of the Royal Family, senior government officials, assemblymen and diplomats were waiting.
The royal motorcade drove into the Throne Hall area soon after midday to the sound of the King's Anthem played by the guard of honour.
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, the latter sporting a golden-coloured traditional Thai dress, preceded HRH Princess Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn and HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn in entering the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, where religious services were held.
The Chief Bhramin, Phra Rajkhru Wamathep-muni, presented the Prince with sacred dried leaves, which Prince Vajiralongkorn solemnly brushed three times on the right side of his body and then three times on the left side before Phra Rajkhru Wamathepmuni poured lustral water on the Prince's hands.
The Royal Party moved to the central hall where over 300 people were waiting in front of a golden curtain separating them from the golden throne, which His Majesty mounted.
After the golden curtain was drawn back, accompanied by the King's Anthem and traditional music of honour, Prince Vajiralongkorn took his place facing the throne. An official of the Prime Minister's Office read a Royal Command proclaiming him as the Crown Prince.
Precisely at the auspicious time of 12.23pm, as prescribed by the Royal Astrologer, His Majesty the King poured consecrated water on the Crown Prince and anointed his forehead.
At the same instant, the orchestra restarted the King's Anthem, and a 21-gun salute was fired. Monks in thousands of temples throughout the country chanted prayers, and temple bells were rung.
His Majesty the King presented a gold nameplate bearing the Crown Prince's name, the titular seal, the gold sword, decorations, and rank emblems to the Heir to the Throne.
In the afternoon, the Royal Party again left Chitrlada Palace for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, arriving at 3.30pm.
After Their Majesties and the Crown Prince paid their respects to the Triple Gem, Phra Rajkhru Wamathepmuni read a prayer over the blessed water before dipping the ceremonial arrow and sword into it.
The Crown Prince then solemnly took the oath of allegiance and sipped the blessed water presented to him by the Chief Bhramin.
