Kingdom of Cambodia

[La la]

a very good looking man, I must say.

Yes, I second that.

Too bad I heard that he is gay. But still a charming man.

Is he really? Do the Cambodian people know that? I think that's a concept foreign to many in the Eastern Hemisphere.

 

[julial]

His dad King Sihanouk stated that he approved of gay marriage, man to man, woman to woman. King Sihamoni is whispered to be not interested in women. Perhaps the reason for his bachelorhood. What a pity!

 

[La la]

Thanks! So presumably the monarchy will end with King Norodom or will some distant relative usurp the power? I saw him on bbc but was not very attentive as to what was being said.

 

[julial]

Other princes`son to be considered for the next next king...

 

[julial]

Cambodian princess weds '97 alumnus
One fateful night in a New York dance club, Marc Coumeri ran into the woman of his dreams
By Ishai Mooreville
September 06, 2002
The majority of Hopkins graduates plan to get married at some point in their lives. And eventually they do, whether they meet their spouse in college, graduate school, the office, or maybe a chance meeting in the street. For Marc Coumeri, a 1997 graduate of the Whiting School of Engineering, things happened a little bit differently. Little did he know that the woman he started dancing with one night at a Manhattan club would end up being both a Princess of Cambodia and his future wife.



It all began around Thanksgiving of 2000, late one night at 4 a.m. in the Twilo dance club in New York, where Mr. Coumeri, who works for American Express in the Risk Management Department, was hanging out with fellow Hopkins graduate and friend Noel Thomas (Eng '97).

"I was not up to going to a club that night, but my friend Noel really wanted to, so I went with him anyway," said Coumeri over a telephone interview from New York.

After they sat down and had a few drinks at the bar, Coumeri recounted, Thomas put his drink down and said "Follow me" as he made his way onto the dance floor.

As they walked across the dance floor, Coumeri's future wife Princess Pekina Norodom and her friend Divina Kwok happened to be walking right by them.

"While we passed them, my friend randomly grabbed Divina's hand and started dancing with her. That left me stranded there with Pekina so we started dancing too," said Coumeri.

They danced way into the late morning when the club finally closed. Afterwards they all went out for Dim Sum in Chinatown, where the chemistry between Coumeri and Norodom was already starting to emerge.

A full 24 hours after they had first met, Norodom called up her future husband and asked him out on their first date. However, it was hardly the romantic candlelight dinner one might imagine. Coumeri was actually invited to accompany Norodom to an Ikea Furniture store, where she said she was looking for some furniture. Later, Norodom would reveal to Coumeri that she just wanted to spend some time with him in a public place where they could get to know each other better. The date ended up a success, though it wasn't until much later that she eventually revealed her royal origins.

A few weeks passed and one day Norodom finally told her husband-to-be over the phone that she was the granddaughter of the King of Cambodia. She asked Coumeri if he recognized her last name. "I said, 偡o, should I?'" Coumeri was taken aback at first, but knew she was telling the truth.

"After she told me, the first person I called was my best friend Noel. I told him 偝it down, you're not going to believe this one. My girlfriend is kind of the princess of Cambodia.'"

Norodom is a granddaughter of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, who was forced into exile by a coup in 1970 that opened the door to the Khmer Rouge. Her family settled in Beijing, where she was born in that year. When she was 10, her family moved to Connecticut. Today, she works as a product manager at Timex.

Before Coumeri proposed to his bride-to-be, he formally called up her parents and out of courtesy, asked them for their daughter's hand in marriage.

"I didn't realize it at the time, but when you ask for permission in Cambodian culture, it's supposed to be accompanied by a big ceremony," said Coumeri. "I just asked for permission over the phone and they said 偊es, we accept you as our son.'"

The couple were married in a Buddhist ceremony at Phnom Penh's royal palace in Cambodia on May 30 of this year. "It was definitely the most extraordinary event of my life," said Coumeri. The wedding was a whole day affair that began at 8 a.m. and was conducted in Cambodian, which was translated to Coumeri by his wife.

"The fact that she is a princess doesn't affect our relationship. She has a very normal lifestyle here, no servants or anything like that."

Looking back on the whole thing, Coumeri is still a little surprised how quickly it all transpired.

"I wasn't really looking for someone at the time, I was just enjoying myself and it just sort of happened. So if your friend suggests doing something, go even if you don't want to." The marriage will be profiled on The Learning Channel show A Wedding Story. The episode premieres on Monday, October 14 at 2:30 p.m., and will be repeated on Tuesday, December 24.

 

[pdas1201]

October 28, 2004, Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni prays with royal family members during the opening ceremonies of his coronation in front of the Royal Palace throne room Phnom Penh. Cambodia began three days of celebrations Thursday as its new king, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni, prepared to take over the throne from his father, Norodom Sihanouk, adored by his people for more than 60 years.

4) King Norodom Sihamoni prays holding a ceremonial candle in the Royal Palace throne room Phnom Penh

5-6) King Nordomon Sihamoni prays in front of the nation's throne

7-8) King Nordomon Sihamoni receives blessings from his sister Princess Bopha Devi and other family members

9-10) King Nordomon Sihamoni receives blessings from Buddist monks

 

[pdas1201]

Some more pics....beautiful ceremony and very respecful and handsome King..

 

[pdas1201]

Some pics of the preparations for the coronation around Cambodia.

 

[pdas1201]

I found a neat article in 'Phnom Phen Post' explaining the Cambodian coronation. It also explains the three days of rituals and celebrations that comprise the coronation.

   A Royal Cambodian Coronation

By Julio A. Jeldres

The Royal coronation of a Cambodian monarch can take place several days, months or even years after the election of the sovereign. In effect, the King assumes functions immediately after his election by the Crown Council and the coronation is essentially a religious and symbolic ceremony designed to bring divine blessings upon the elected monarch.

The coronation of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni will be simple, very much like that of his august father, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman, held on September 23, 1993. However, the spirit and unique character of the old sumptuous coronations of previous kings of Cambodia will not be missing from the traditional ceremony to be held on October 29, 2004.

In the past, following the election of the new king, the court astrologers were requested to determine the most appropriate date for the ceremony of the coronation. In accordance with the Kram Preah Reachea Prapdaphisek (Law on the Coronation of Kings, promulgated in the second half of the 18th century) the appropriate date was chosen and the preparations for the event began.

The Appisek, or Ceremonial Bath
Following seven days of rites and ceremonies performed by the Bakus of the court, during which the fire is blessed and water to be used for the ceremony purified, the sovereign was solemnly presented to the people in the Throne Hall. A special, white, bathing pavilion has been prepared in front of the Throne Hall; the sovereign took off his ceremonial robes and exchanged them for a light, white, bathing robe.

The Chiefs of the Buddhist Orders then proceeded to drop on the sovereign's head the water previously purified and consecrated. A light shower was then released from a canopy above through the petals of a golden lotus, giving celestial significance to the shower.

While the ceremonial bath was in progress the Bakus play their ceremonial music.

The sovereign then dressed in his ceremonial robes and addressed the Buddhist monks present to whom he declared that he is the servant and protector of Buddhism and that he will always be loyal to Buddhism.

The Buddhist ritual having come to an end, the Buddhist monks withdrew to allow a Brahmanic ceremony to take place.

The Brahmanic Consecration
Three Bakus led the sovereign to the audience hall within the Throne Hall and asked him to sit on the elevated throne, a symbolic representation of Mount Meru. The King turned to each of the eight principal directions of the living space, represented by a Brahman priest and then drank from a sea shell, washed his face with the remainder of the water and trumpeted the shell. 

The sovereign then welcomed in his arms a statue of Shiva and one of Vishnu and swore in front of the Brahmanic idols kept in the palace to maintain the ancient national traditions. The King then received his Kingdom: earth, waters, mountains and forests which the Chief Baku presented to him on behalf of his people.

The Chief Baku then placed on the sovereign's head the crown, the Mokot, and the King then adjusted a pair of golden slippers and took possession of the other items of his regalia by touching them.

The last part of the Brahmanic ritual ended with the Sovereign coming down from the elevated throne and sitting on the ordinary throne and receiving the unction with sacred oil from the Chief Baku.

The Pradakshina, or Procession of the Nobles
The last part of the Coronation ceremony is the Pradakshina. The Ladies of the Court, the princes and princesses, the mandarins and nobles with lit candles circulated around the throne three times in such a way that their right shoulder was always presented to the new sovereign.

Just before the end of the ceremony, the mandarins and other senior Court officials laid down in front of the throne the insignia of their functions which the master of the kingdom would return the following morning, thus giving them a new mandate to continue in their functions.

The ceremony ended with the King travelling by a Royal Cortege along the principal avenues of the capital, where the people have their first contact with their new sovereign.

The consecration of the Queen used to be held in private. Normally it took place in the presence only of the ladies of the Court and with their assistants. After three days of prayers by Buddhist monks, the Queen received the lustral water and sacred oil from the King.

In 1993, the ceremony was held in public and with minimum fanfare in accordance with the wishes of the King and Queen.

 

[pdas1201]

October 29, 2004, 2nd day of rituals:

1) King Norodom Sihamoni greets his parents, former King Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath

2) King Norodom Sihamoni sits in a royal pavillion during a religious ceremony

3) being attended by two supreme monks

4) Cambodian supreme monks pour water as part of a religious ceremony

5) former King Norodom Sihanouk pour water over his son

6) being kissed by his mother, Queen Norodom Monineath

7) being led down the stairs by priests

 

[Reina]

When is he going to get married?

 

[pdas1201]

When is he going to get married?

No current plans that I know of, maybe he just doesn't want to get married like Prince Albert of Monaco

 

[pdas1201]

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni is carried to his throne during his coronation ceremony at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh 29 October 2004. King Sihamoni, the 51-year-old son of former king Norodom Sihanouk, was formally sworn in as monarch in an elaborate ceremony at the royal palace broadcast on national television. AFP PHOTO / Jimin LAI

 

[pdas1201]

some more pics...

 

[sandie]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting.

He is 1/4 Italian. They wanted to do small ceremony but people want to catch the glimp of the new king...so the ceremony looks big.

 

[La la]

Actually, his coronation reminds me of CP Al-Muhtadee Billah's wedding. The only thing missing would be a woman/bride by his side.

 

[Lyonnaise]

Polfoto 06-11-2004 Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni is greeted by crowds during a visit to Takeo, 65 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Phnom Pernh, Saturday Nov. 6, 2004. Thousands of Cambodian farmers and villagers waved the country's flag and portraits of their new king, who traveled to a rural school in southwest Cambodia to urge his people to come together and rebuild a land battered by decades of poverty and war.

 

[pdas1201]

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni shown various mines cleared at a ceremony at a school for the disabled at Trapeang Veng, outside the capital Phnom Penh, 17 November 2004. Casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia jumped 16 percent in the first nine months of this year, a resercher said 17 November, ahead of the release of a global landmines report -- which was presented to the king during his visit. AFP PHOTO/CAMBODGE SOIR/KHEM SOVANNARA

 

[Mandy]

Does anyone have any more news about King Norodom Sihamoni?

 

[Dugong]

Princess Ratana Devi was engaged last month to Ansiau La Planeta.

Click here for photo.

 

[Mandy]

Thank you Dugong for sharing this photo and information with us.

 

[Amira]

Sihanouk's cancer 'very serious'

Norodom Sihanouk has played a key role in Cambodia's history

Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk has delayed his return home from China because his health has deteriorated.

Sihanouk, who is suffering from cancer, has been receiving medical treatment in Beijing on and off for several years. He was due back in Cambodia next week.

In a statement posted on his website, Sihanouk said doctors believed his tumour was "in a very severe state".

"They asked me to delay my stay in Beijing for a while so that they can offer me treatment," he wrote.

But Sihanouk's son King Norodom Sihamoni, who is currently visiting his father in China, is still expected to return to Phnom Penh as planned on 8 May.

The former king - who is highly revered in Cambodia, and has spent the last six decades in the public eye - abdicated in October 2004 in favour of King Sihamoni.

Still active

But the 82-year-old has yet to bow out of political life completely.

He still posts regular comments on his website, often giving his opinion on Cambodia's endless political power struggles. On his return to Cambodia, Sihanouk was also due to take up a role as head of a newly formed panel to negotiate border disputes with Cambodia's neighbours - Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. In a separate statement, the former monarch invited all six members of the panel to travel to Beijing to meet and discuss their work plan with him.

 

[rchainho]

http://www.vnanet.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=33&NEWS_ID=158773
Former Cambodian King designates house as museum

http://english1.peopledaily.com.cn/...715_196177.html
Cambodian retired King wishes to keep birthplace as museum

http://www.china.org.cn/english/international/137990.htm
King of Cambodia Arrives in Beijing King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon for a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.
This is Sihamoni's first visit to China since he became the Cambodian king in October last year.
http://people.monstersandcritics.com/royalwatch/article_1040598.php/Cambodias_King_arrives_in_Beijing

Cambodia's King arrives in Beijing
Aug 11, 2005, 12:27 GMT Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Beijing Wednesday (10.08.05) for a five-day state visit to China.
The King had been personally invited by Chinese President Hu Jintao.It is his first state visit abroad since he ascended the Cambodian throne in October last year, following the abdication of his 82-year-old father Norodom Sihanouk. It is also his first state visit to China in his capacity as king.
http://www.china.org.cn/english/international/138158.htm

Premier Wen Meets Cambodian King Premier Wen Jiabao met with King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni in Beijing Wednesday. Wen said the China-Cambodia friendship is fostered through efforts of generations of leaders from the two countries and has endured the test of international changes over the past years.
"The two sides have always actively developed friendly relations as good neighbors and achieved a series of substantial results in bilateral cooperation on the basis of peaceful coexistence, which benefits China, Cambodia and our two peoples," Wen said.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/12/content_468341.htm

Cambodia's king starts his first official visit
By Hu Xiao (China Daily) Updated: 2005-08-12
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, a former ballet dancer and cultural ambassador, greeted President Hu Jintao with a traditional Cambodian gesture yesterday afternoon, in his first State visit since ascending to the throne. At the meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Sihamoni told Hu that he chose China for his first State visit to "inherit and further the traditional friendly ties" with China, a "sincere and time-honoured friend and neighbour."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,16233554%255E2902,00.html

King's Jolie decree 12aug05
CAMBODIA'S King Norodom Sihamoni has signed a decree giving actor Angelina Jolie Cambodian citizenship in recognition of her environmental work.
"The king signed the legal papers and that means she now has Cambodian citizenship," Toun Siphan, director of the Government's international relation department, said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-08/23/content_3393281.htm

Cambodian king returns home from state visit to China www.chinaview.cn 2005-08-23 18:39:05
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni returned home Tuesday from his state visit to China. It was King Sihamoni's first state visit since he ascended the throne in October last year after the abdication of his 82-year-old father Norodom Sihanouk.
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=347094

Cambodia's king returns from China
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200508/29/eng20050829_205125.html

Former Cambodian King resigns from border council printResizeButton();
Cambodia will have a new head of the National Supreme Council of Border Affairs (NSCBA) after former king Norodom Sihanouk quit his position as president, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday. Hun Sen told reporters on Monday that he had already sent a letter to King Norodom Sihamoni asking him to rename a new head of the council.

 

[lwausbrooks]

Cambodian princess weds '97 alumnus...

I know this is an old thread, but does anyone here have a photo of Pekina Norodom? Thanks in advance.

Wayne A.

 

[fanletizia]

Government officials and members of the parliament greet Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at Phnom Penh International Airport, 23 August 2005, as he returns back from an official visit to China. King Norodom Sihamoni was on a five day official tour to China and it was his first state visit since he took the throne last year

From getty

 

[rchainho]

http://www.brunet.bn/news/bb/mon/aug29w8.htm

King asks Sihanouk to let public pictures stay
http://www.khmer-network.com/content/view/218/2/
Kampuchea - Religion - the ministry for the Worships is delighted by the good development of Buddhism 13-09-2005 Kampuchea Evening - king Norodom Sihamoni has présidé yesterday, in the Chaktomuk room, the opening of the 14e national Congress of the buddhist monks. According to the minister of religion Khun Haing, Buddhism is much développé in the country during last années, "under the direction of vénérable Mtoe Vong, supérior of the Mohanikay order, and the vénérable Bour Kry, supérior of the Thamayuth order". According to the minister, the nonformal Buddhist éducation, diffusion of débats on Buddhism and Buddhist morals in the médias, the organization of conférences in the pagodas as well as the activité centers of méditation contribute to the dynamism of the religion of State.

 

[fanletizia]

Celebrations of the Independence Day

From getty

 

[fanletizia]

King Norodom Sihamoni, Premier Hun Sen (L)and doctor Beat Richner (R) cut a ribbon during the inauguration of the Kuntha Bopha 4 hospital in Phnom Penh, 29 December 2005

from newscom

 

[tflos_1985]

The Cambodian Royal Family

I can find nothing about the Cambodian Royal Family in this website.Perhaps this is the only one that is ignored by the Royal Forum.There is also something interesting about this royal house . The retired king Sihanouk and Queen Monique.King Sihamoni.......................................... .......And the unique Khmer culture has very long history

 

[purple_platinum]

tflos_1985, you can find news & photos of Royal Family of Cambodia, here :

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f70/cambodian-royalty-3607-3.html