Thailand has crowned its new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, marking the first ascension of a new monarch in seven decades.The key rituals of the elaborate three-day coronation ceremony began in Bangkok today.

King Vajiralongkorn is the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, which has reigned since 1782. The last coronation was held in 1950 for the king’s father Bhumibol Adulyadej.Thailand has been run by an arch-royalist junta since 2014. The monarchy takes primacy in the country but it is buttressed by the army.