Thai king Bhumibol Adulyade dies aged 88 – making the Queen the world’s longest-reigning monarch
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away after 70 years on the throne, was also the world's richest monarch with an estimated fortune of £25 billion
THE Queen has become the world's longest reigning living monarch following the death of the King of Thailand.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand had reigned since June 9 1946, and was two years younger than the Queen.
Following his death aged 88, Elizabeth II takes up the position as the longest serving current head of state on the planet.
But she is unlikely to acknowledge such a record, particularly as the Thai people are grieving for their revered head of state.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej - whose name means "strength of the land, incomparable power" - had been in poor health for a number of years and was rarely seen in public.
His popularity stemmed partly from his long reign, but he was also viewed as a pillar of stability. Strict lese-majeste laws banned any criticism of him or the Thai royal family.
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In August 2015, a man was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Thai military court for insulting the country's monarchy on Facebook.
Enjoying a god-like status within the south east Asian country, Adulyadej was also the world's richest monarch with an estimated fortune of £25 billion.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha announced that the new monarch will be Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Despite the announcement, Thai people are forbidden by law to discuss the succession.
In his televised address, the Prime Minister said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period for the fallen King.
Chan-ocha also said entertainment functions would be "toned down" for one month.
He said: “He is now in heaven and may be looking over Thai citizens from there.”
Hundreds of people had gathered outside the hospital where Adulyadej was being treated after an announcement on Sunday which indicated that his health was failing.
Many of the well-wishers wore pink which is considered a lucky colour in Thailand.
The Queen is already the longest reigning monarch in British history and was matter of fact about that achievement.
At around 5.30pm on September 9, 2015, she overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, having reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and some 30 minutes.
As she thanked the nation for its kind messages as she opened the Borders Railway in Tweedbank on the landmark day, she admitted that the royal record was ''not one to which I have ever aspired''.
She added: ''Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception."
The milestone of 63 years and 216 days was tinged with sadness for the Queen, who acceded to the throne at the age of 25, as the calculation of her record is linked to start of her reign on the death of her father George VI.
She has some way to go before she becomes the world's longest reigning monarch ever. King Sobhuza II of Swaziland, who died in 1982, holds this title.
He was just four months old when he became king and ruled for 82 years and 253 days.
It was estimated that he had about 210 children from at least 70 wives and by the time of his death, he had more than 1,000 grandchildren.
The longest reign of any monarch of a large country in European history belongs to Louis XIV of France - who was also known as Louis the Great, or the Sun King.
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