Thailand has a new king, with the crown prince formally taking the throne to succeed his much-revered father, who reigned for 70 years.

The new monarch, who received the title “His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun,” assumed his new position Thursday, according to an announcement broadcast on all TV channels. He will also be known as Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty, founded in 1782.

Vajiralongkorn’s father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, died Oct. 13 at 88 after many years of ill health. In 1972, Bhumibol designated Vajiralongkorn — his second child and only son — as his successor.

“I would like to accept in order to fulfill his majesty’s wishes and for the benefit of all Thais,” Vajiralongkorn said in the video.

Vajiralongkorn, 64, was originally expected to assume the throne the day his father died, but in a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the prince asked for the succession to be put off so he would have time to mourn.

Prayuth said Thursday that because of tradition that the throne should not remain vacant, the new king’s reign will be considered as beginning the day Bhumibol died.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy — although currently under military rule — but Bhumibol played an important role in stabilizing his country through a time of enormous change and several political crises.

Vajiralongkorn faces the challenges of a country that has become fractured over the past decade as contending political forces engaged in battles that sometimes turned violent, shaking faith in the democratic system.

The new king, with a less intense interest in state affairs and a reputation as a playboy, does not command the same respect as Bhumibol. He has gone through divorces with three women who have borne him seven children, and in recent years, he has spent much of his time living in Germany. Although most Thais are devoted to the royal institution, it is hard to gauge how they feel privately about Vajiralongkorn because of harsh laws that mandate prison terms for anyone found guilty of insulting the monarchy.