King leads grieving nation in farewell to Princess Bajrakitiyabha

Their Majesties the King and the Queen presided over a religious rite for the late HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha in Piman Rattaya Throne Hall at the Grand Palace last night, after her mortal remains were transferred from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

The King has issued a royal command bestowing the seven-tiered white umbrella of state as a canopy over the royal urn of the princess, his eldest child.

According to the Royal Gazette, the King stated that great royal honours should be bestowed on the princess in conformity with ancient royal traditions as a memorial tribute to her distinguished virtues within the Royal Family.

The royal rite was attended by 47 monks, symbolising the age of the late princess, who passed away on Thursday after spending more than three years in a coma.

Earlier, the King led the royal funeral procession carrying the late princess from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to the Grand Palace, where she will lie in state.

Along the four-kilometre route, people dressed in black lined the streets holding photographs of the late princess to bid farewell to a beloved member of the royal family.

The King was accompanied by HM Queen Suthida, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti in receiving the princess's remains.

Upon arriving at the hospital at 3.55pm, the royal party was welcomed by the King's sisters, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.

The princess's remains were transported in a grey Volkswagen T4 royal vehicle, accompanied by members of the royal family and attendants.

The royal procession left the hospital through Gate 15, entering Henri Dunant Road before turning right onto Rama IV Road and then onto Phaya Thai Road up to the Phaya Thai intersection.

The procession then turned left onto Sri Ayudhya Road towards Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, passing through Sanam Luang and into the Grand Palace via the Viset Chaisri Gate before proceeding to Piman Rattaya Throne Hall.

Thousands of mourners gathered along the route, many arriving hours in advance to secure a place from which to pay their final respects. Officials and volunteer staff were deployed throughout the area to assist the public and maintain order.

Medical personnel from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, including nurses, nursing assistants and support staff, stood in orderly rows along the route as the procession departed, offering a final farewell to the princess.

As the funeral motorcade passed, large crowds on both sides of the road knelt and prostrated themselves in mourning.

Many were seen weeping openly, overcome with grief as they paid their last respects to Princess Bajrakitiyabha, whose death has prompted an outpouring of sorrow across the kingdom.