Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana yesterday took part in rehearsals for the processions of the late King's royal funeral ceremonies at Sanam Luang.
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Princesses take part in rehearsal
OM JOTIKASTHIRA
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday took part in the second rehearsal for the processions of the late King's royal funeral ceremonies at Sanam Luang, which drew a large crowd of people who braved an overnight wait to observe the day-long event.
More than 10,000 black-clad people were estimated to have turned up to watch the event behind barricades along routes in the old quarter of the city, police said.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana also led the King's Guard cavalry mounted on a royal horse while Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was also seen marching at the rehearsal.
Processions number one, two, three and six were open for public viewing from 7am yesterday, with the practice rounds continuing well past 1pm.
The princess performed the circling ceremony, called wian utawat, done for three rounds, each with a 260-metre distance, in a counter-clockwise direction.
The morning rehearsal ended after the third procession, which is one of six processions in the royal cremation ceremony, completed its function.
Yesterday afternoon, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana took part in the rehearsal of the sixth procession.
The sixth procession, known as the cavalry, will then carry the royal ashes to Wat Rajabopit Sathit Maha Simaram and Wat Bowon Niwet.
The royal relics will be enshrined at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace.
The princess, who is adept at horse riding and has represented Thailand in equestrian competitions, led the cavalry which is made up of 78 mounted soldiers from the 29th Cavalry Battalion, to the two temples.
