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The monarchy of Cambodia refers to the constitutional monarchy of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The King of Cambodia (Khmer: ព្រះមហាក្សត្រកម្ពុជា) is the head of state and head of the ruling Royal House of Norodom. In the contemporary period, the king's power has been limited to that of a symbolic figurehead. The monarchy had been in existence since at least 68 AD except during its abolition from 1970 to 1993. Since 1993, the king of Cambodia has been an elected monarch, making Cambodia one of the few elective monarchies of the world. The king is elected for life by the Royal Council of the Throne, which consists of several senior political and religious figures. Candidates are chosen from among male descendants of King Ang Duong who are at least 30 years old, from the two royal houses of Cambodia (the House of Norodom and the House of Sisowath).
King of Cambodia | |
---|---|
ព្រះមហាក្សត្រនៃកម្ពុជា | |
Incumbent | |
Norodom Sihamoni since 14 October 2004 | |
Details | |
Style | His Majesty |
First monarch | Queen Soma |
Formation | 68 CE; 1,955–1,956 years ago |
Abolition | 18 March 1970 – 24 September 1993 |
Residence | Khemarin Palace (official) The Royal Residence (secondary) |
Appointer | Royal Council of the Throne |
Website | norodomsihamoni |
Role edit
Cambodia's constitution, promulgated in 1993, stipulated the king's role as a mainly ceremonial one. It declared that the king "shall reign, but not govern"[1] as well as being the "symbol of national unity and continuity".[2]
The king performs important functions of state as required by the constitution. This includes but is not limited to:
- Appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet.[3]
- Convening over the opening of the two legislative bodies, the National Assembly of Cambodia and the Senate of Cambodia.[4][5]
- Serving as the supreme commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.[6]
- Meeting with the prime minister on a semi-monthly basis in which the king is briefed on matters of state.[7]
- Signing the royal code/decree that gives effect to laws enacted by the legislature and proposals by the cabinet.[8]
- Acting as "supreme arbiter" to enable the functioning of state institutions.[9]
- Receiving credentials from ambassadors.[10]
- Possessing the power of commutation and pardon.[11]
- Presiding over the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.[12][13]
- Appointing a fixed number of members to serve on state institutions such as the Senate and the Constitutional Council.[14][15]
- Awarding of national honours.[16]
The king also fulfils other roles not explicitly mentioned in the constitution in his capacity as head of state, for example, presiding over events of national significance[17] including religious ceremonies and traditions integral to the Khmer nation,[18] supporting humanitarian and philanthropic causes,[19] and representing Cambodia abroad when undertaking official visits overseas.[20] Although there have been female rulers in the past, the 1993 constitution currently forbids women from succeeding to the throne.[21]
Ministry of the Royal Palace edit
The Ministry of the Royal Palace, currently overseen by Minister Kong Sam Ol in conjunction with the Supreme Privy Advisory Council, formerly headed by the King's half-brother Prince Norodom Ranariddh and now headed by former Prime Minister Hun Sen assists and advises the king accordingly in carrying out his duties as monarch.[22][23][24]
Mythological history edit
Early period (68–1431) edit
Funan (68–627) edit
Order | Monarch | Names in Foreign Texts | Reign |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Queen Soma នាងនាគ ឬនាគី | Liǔyè (Traditional Khmer Call: Neang Neak) |
68 – later 1st century |
2 | Kaundinya I | Hùntián (Traditional Khmer Call: Preah Tong) |
later 1st century |
3 | Hun Pan-huang | Hùnpánkuàng | later 2nd century – 198 |
4 | Pan-Pan | Hùnpánpán | 198–201 |
5 | Srei Meara | Fàn Shīmàn or Fàn Shīwàn | 201–225 |
6 | Unknown | Fàn Jīnshēng | 225 |
7 | Unknown | Fàn Zhān | 225–244 |
8 | Unknown | Fàn Chāng | 244 |
9 | Unknown | Fàn Xún | 244–289 |
10 | Interregum | Interregum | 289 – 4th century |
11 | Candana | Tiānzhú Zhāntán | 4th century –410 |
12 | Kaundinya II កុរុងឝ្រុតវម៌្ម | Qiáochénrú | 410–434 |
13 | Srindravarman I កុរុងឝ្រីន្ទ្រវម៌្ម ឬស្រីឥន្ទ្រវរ្ម័ន | Chílítuóbámó | 434–435 |
14 | Unknown | Unknown | 435–438? |
15 | Unknown | Unknown | 438?–484 |
16 | Jayavarman Kaundinya | Shéyébámó | 484–514 |
17 | Queen Kulaprabhavati | Unknown | 514–517 |
18 | Rudravarman | Liútuóbámó | 514–550 |
Funan–Chenla War: 550–627 | |||
19 | Pvirakvarman I | Unknown | 550–600 |
20 | Mhenteractvarman I | Unknown | 600–615 |
21 | Nteractvarman I | Unknown | 615–627 |
Chenla (550–802) edit
Order | Monarch | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|
Shruta Varman | 550–555 | ||
Shreshtha Varman II
វ្រះបាទឝ្រេឝ្ឋវម៌្ម |
555–560 | ||
Vīravarman | 560–575 | ||
Queen Kambuja-raja-lakshmi | 575–580 | ||
22 | Bhavavarman I | Bhavavarman | 580–600 |
23 | Mohendravarman | Chet Sen | 600–616 |
24 | Isanavarman I | Isanavarman | 616–635 |
25 | Bhavavarman II | Bhavavarman | 639–657 |
26 | Jayavarman I | Jayavarman | 657–681 |
27 | Queen Jayadevi | Jayadevi | 681–713 |
- Rulers of Chenla after the separation of Water and Land
- Male successors of Lower Chenla (Water Chenla )[25]
- Pushkaraksha (c. 716–c. 730)
- Shambhu Varman (c. 750)
- Rajendravarman I (c. 760)
- Mahipativarman (c. 780)
- Jayavarman (c. 780–802)
- Female successors of Sambhupura,[26] the capital of Land Chenla (Upper Chenla)[27]
- Queen Indrani
- Queen Nṛpatendradevī
- Queen Jayendrabhā
- Queen Jyeṣṭhāryā (c. 803)
Khmer Empire (802–1431) edit
Order | Monarch | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|
28 | Jayavarman II | Jayavarman | 802–850 |
29 | Jayavarman III | Jayavarthon | 850–877 |
30 | Indravarman I | Indravarman | 877–889 |
31 | Yasovarman I | Yasovarthon | 889–910 |
32 | Harshavarman I | Harshavarman | 910–923 |
33 | Ishanavarman II | Isanavarman | 923–928 |
34 | Jayavarman IV | Jayavarman | 928–941 |
35 | Harshavarman II | Harshavarman | 941–944 |
36 | Rajendravarman I | Rajedravarman | 944–968 |
37 | Jayavarman V | Jayavarman | 968–1001 |
38 | Udayadityavarman I | Udayadityavarman | 1001–1002 |
39 | Jayavirahvarman | Jayavirahvarman | 1002–1006 |
40 | Suryavarman I | Suryavarman | 1006–1050 |
41 | Udayadityavarman II | Udayadityavarman | 1050–1066 |
42 | Harshavarman III | Harshavarman | 1066–1080 |
43 | Nripatindravarman | Nripatindravarman | 1080–1113 |
44 | Jayavarman VI | Jayavarman | 1080–1107 |
45 | Dharanindravarman I | Dharanindravarman | 1107–1113 |
46 | Suryavarman II | Suryavarman | 1113–1150 |
47 | Dharanindravarman II | Dharanindravarman | 1150–1156 |
48 | Yasovarman II | Yasovarman | 1156–1165 |
49 | Tribhuvanadityavarman | Tribhuvanadityavarman | 1165–1177 |
Cham Invasion: 1177–1181 | |||
50 | Jayavarman VII | Jayavathon | 1181–1218 |
51 | Indravarman II | Indravarman | 1218–1243 |
The first major Thai kingdom was created in 1238 during the reign of Indravarman by Pho Khun Si Intharathit in Sukhothai, an area formerly ruled by Lavo in vassalage to Angkor. | |||
52 | Jayavarman VIII | Jayavarman | 1243–1295 |
53 | Indravarman III | Srei Indravarman | 1295–1308 |
54 | Indrajayavarman | Srei Jayavarman | 1308–1327 |
55 | Jayavarman IX | Jayavama Borommesvarah / Preah Borom Borpit | 1327–1336 |
56 | Borom Nipeanbot | Not record | 1336–1346 |
Laos Capture Luang Prabang: 1351 | |||
57 | Lompong Reachea | Preah Lompeng Chey | 1346–1352 |
Uthong dynasty of Ayutthaya Invasion: 1352, Siam attacks Yasodharapura city. | |||
59 | Srei Soriyoavong | Soriyoavong | 1352–1369 |
Khmer–Siam war 1357–1369 | |||
60 | Borom Reamea I | Borom Reamea | 1369–1372 |
63 | Dhamma Reachea I | Preah Dhammasoak | 1373–1385 |
Siam attacks Angkor city for seven months: 1385 | |||
64 | Borom Reachea I | Ponhea Yat | 1385–1432 |
Borom Reachea I, leaving Angkor city 1388 |
Middle Period (1431–1863) edit
Chaktomuk period (1400–1525) edit
Order | Monarch | Portrait | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|---|
64 | Borom Reachea I | Ponhea Yat | 1385–1432 | |
65 | Noreay Reamea | Noreay Reamea | 1433–1437 | |
66 | Srei Reachea | Sei Rei Rechea | 1437–1468 | |
Khmer attacks Ayutthaya city for four months: 1459 | ||||
Military coup d'état, The Miracle of the Comet: 1461 | ||||
67 | Srei Soriyoatei | Soriyoatei | 1468–1476 | |
War events between Annam and Champa 1471 | ||||
Ponhea Ang, Son of Srei Reachea joind with Siam the Battle of the three armies: 1470-1475 | ||||
68 | Dhama Reachea II | Dhama Reachea | 1476–1486 | |
Earthquake phenomenon: 1478 | ||||
69 | Srei Sokunbot | Damkhat Sokunthor | 1486–1514 |
Longvek period (1527–1593) edit
Order | Monarch | Portrait | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|---|
65 | Srei Chedtha | Sdach Korn | 1512–1525 | |
Civil War: Chan Reachea Vs Srei Chedtha : 1516–1525 | ||||
66 | Chan Reachea | Chao Ponhea Chan | 1516–1566 | |
Khmer–Siam biggest war: 1555 | ||||
67 | Borom Reachea II | Reach Angkar Thom | 1566–1576 | |
Longvek army attacks Ayutthaya City 1570 | ||||
Khmer-Laos War: 1572 | ||||
Khmer-Burmese War: 1574 | ||||
68 | Preah Satha I | Preah Satha | 1576–1584 | |
Treaty of Alliance with Siam: 1577 | ||||
Help Siam war from Burma: 1583 | ||||
69 | Chey Chestha I | Chey Chestha | 1584–1593 | |
Siam first Invasion: 1591 with 150,000 troops (Battle of Longvek) | ||||
Siam second Invasion: 1593 with 340,000 troops (The fall of Longvek) |
Srei Santhor Era (1594–1620) edit
Order | Monarch | Portrait | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 | Borom Reamea II | Preah Ream Cheung Prey | 1594-1596 | |
Defeat the Siamese army out of Cambodia: 1594 | ||||
The Assassination of Borom Reamea II by Diego Beloso: 1596, Noted by Spanish: Luvis Velo | ||||
71 | Borom Reachea III | Ponhea Ton | 1596-1599 | |
Borom Reachea III supported by Spanish, Cambodia lost Pakse and Attapeu to Laos: 1599 | ||||
72 | Borom Reamea III | Ponhea On | 1599-1600 | |
The Assassination of Borom Reamea III in the day of King Birthday. | ||||
73 | Preah Keo Fa I | Ponhea Nhoum | 1600-1602 | |
Military coup d'état: 1601-1602 | ||||
74 | Borom Reachea IV | Srei Soriyoapor | 1602-1618 | |
Treaty of Alliance with Annam: 1618 |
Oudong period (1620–1863) edit
Order | Monarch | Portrait | Personal Name | Reign |
---|---|---|---|---|
75 | Chey Chestha II | Chey Chesda | 1618-1627 | |
Siam first Invasion: 1621 with 105,000 troops | ||||
Siam second Invasion: 1622 at Peam, Kampuchea Krom. | ||||
Annam military base in Cambodia 1623. | ||||
76 | Borom Reachsomphea | Ponhea To | 1627-1634 | |
Uncle Outey Reachea I, Military coup d'état: 1634. | ||||
77 | Ang Tong Reachea | Ponhea Nuor | 1634-1640 | |
Khmer-Dutch conflict, Cambodian ships intercepted by the Dutch in the Makassar at Java (Indonesia): 1635 | ||||
Cambodia invades Siam , Captures Nokor Reach Seima: 1640 | ||||
78 | Botum Reachea I | Ang Non | 1640-1642 | |
Ang Chan I, Military coup d'état: 1642 | ||||
79 | Borom Reachea V | Ang Chan I Ang Chan Ibrahim |
1642-1658 | |
Khmer-Dutch conflict, after Cambodia king switched to selling deer skins to Japanese traders instead: 1634 | ||||
Cambodian-Dutch War, On the Tonle-Sap river: 1644, (Dutch 5 War-ships) | ||||
The King became Muslims citizen name: Ang Chan Ibrahim: 1644 | ||||
80 | Borom Reachea VI | Ang Sour | 1658-1672 | |
81 | Botum Reachea II | Preah Srei Chey Chet | 1672-1673 | |
82 | Preah Keo Fa II | Ang Chi | 1673-1675 | |
83 | Chey Chestha III | Ang Suo | 1676-1695 1688 (3 month) 1696-1699 1700-1702 1703-1706 | |
84 | Reamea Thipadei I | Ponhea Yorng | 1695-1696 | |
85 | Chey Chestha III (3rd reign) |
Ang Suo | 1696-1699 | |
86 | Preah Keo Fa III | Ang Em | 1699-1700 1710-1722 1729 (7 month) | |
87 | Chey Chestha III (4th reign) |
Ang Suo | 1700-1702 | |
88 | Dhamma Reachea III | Srei Dhamma Reach | 1702-1703 1706-1709 1738-1747 | |
89 | Chey Chestha III (5th reign) |
Ang Suo | 1703-1706 | |
90 | Dhamma Reachea III (2nd reign) |
Srei Dhamma Reach | 1706-1709 | |
91 | Preah Keo Fa III (2nd reign) |
Ang Em | 1710-1722 | |
92 | Preah Satha II | Ang Yorng | 1722-1729 1730-1737 | |
93 | Preah Keo Fa III (3rd reign) |
Ang Em | 1729 (7 month) | |
94 | Preah Satha II (2nd reign) |
Ang Yorng | 1730-1737 | |
95 | Dhamma Reachea III (3rd reign) |
Srei Dhamma Reach | 1738-1747 | |
96 | Dhamma Reachea IV | Ang Iem | 1747 (5 month) | |
97 | Reamea Thipadei II | Ang Tong II | 1747-1749 | |
98 | Chey Chestha IV | Ang Snguon | 1749-1755 | |
99 | Reamea Thipadei II (2nd reign) |
Ang Tong II | 1755-1757 | |
100 | Noreay Reachea | Ang Ton II | 1757-1775 | |
101 | Outey Reachea III | Ang Norn | 1775-1779 | |
102 | Reamea Thipadei III | Ang Eng | 1779-1796 | |
103 | Noreay Reachea II | Ang Chan II | 1802-1834 | |
104 | Srei Soriyoapor II | Ang Mey | 1834-1841 | |
105 | Reamea Thipadei IV | Ang Duong | 1841-1860 |
Modern period (1863–present) edit
French protectorate of Cambodia (1863–1953) edit
Name | Portrait | House | Birth | Death | Relationship to predecessor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norodom Prohmbarirak នរោត្ដម ព្រហ្មបរិរក្ស 11 August 1863 – 24 April 1904 (40 years, 257 days) |
Norodom | 3 February 1834 Angkor Borei |
24 April 1904 Phnom Penh Aged: 70 years, 81 days |
Son | |
Sisowath Chamchakrapong ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ ចមចក្រពង្ស 27 April 1904 – 9 August 1927 (23 years, 104 days) |
Sisowath | 7 September 1840 Mongkol Borey |
9 August 1927 Phnom Penh Aged: 86 years, 336 days |
Half-brother | |
Sisowath Monivong ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនីវង្ស 9 August 1927 – 23 April 1941 (13 years, 257 days) |
Sisowath | 27 December 1875 Phnom Penh |
23 April 1941 Kampot Aged: 65 years, 117 days |
Son | |
Norodom Sihanouk[28] នរោត្តម សីហនុ 24 April 1941 – 2 March 1955 (13 years, 312 days) |
Norodom | 31 October 1922 Phnom Penh |
15 October 2012 Beijing Aged: 89 years, 350 days |
Maternal grandson |
First Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–1970) edit
Name | Portrait | House | Birth | Death | Relationship to predecessor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norodom Suramarit នរោត្តម សុរាម្រិត 3 March 1955 – 3 April 1960 (5 years, 31 days) |
Norodom | 6 March 1896 Phnom Penh |
3 April 1960 Phnom Penh Aged: 64 years, 28 days |
Father | |
Sisowath Monivong Kossamak Nearirath Sereyvathana ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនីវង្ស កុសុមៈ នារីរ័ត្ន សេរីវឌ្ឍនា 20 June 1960 – 9 October 1970 (10 years, 111 days) [a] |
Sisowath (by birth) Norodom (by marriage) |
9 April 1904 Phnom Penh |
27 April 1975 Beijing Aged: 71 years, 18 days |
Consort |
Second Kingdom of Cambodia (1993–present) edit
Name | Portrait | House | Birth | Death | Relationship to predecessor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norodom Sihanouk នរោត្តម សីហនុ 24 September 1993 – 7 October 2004 (11 years, 13 days) |
Norodom | 31 October 1922 Phnom Penh |
15 October 2012 Beijing Aged: 89 years, 350 days |
Son | |
Norodom Sihamoni នរោត្តម សីហមុនី 14 October 2004 – present (19 years, 200 days) |
Norodom | 14 May 1953 Phnom Penh |
Living Age: 70 years, 353 days |
Son |
Royal symbols edit
-
Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia (until 1970)
-
Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia (1993–present)
-
Royal arms of Cambodia
See also edit
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 7.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 8.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter X, Article 119.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VII, Article 82.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VIII, Article 106.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 23.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 20.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Articles 26 and 28.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 9.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 25.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 27.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 21.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter XI, Article 134.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VIII, Article 100.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter XII, Article 137.
- ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 29.
- ^ "Cambodian king,..."
- ^ "Cambodia marks..."
- ^ "$1 million royal gift..."
- ^ ""President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times". Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ Jeldres, Julio A. (2 April 1999). "Cambodia's Monarchy: The search for the successor". The Phnom Penh Post. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Cambodian Prince Ranariddh's body arrives home from France". The Star. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "Reign of the quiet king". The Phnom Penh Post. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Hun Sen made Privy Council President". Khmer Times. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Sharan, Mahesh Kumar (2003). Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia. Abhinav Publications. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-7017-006-8.
- ^ Jacobsen, Trudy (2008). Lost Goddesses: The Denial of Female Power in Cambodian History. NIAS Press. pp. 27–30. ISBN 978-87-7694-001-0.
- ^ Sharan, Mahesh Kumar (2003). Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia. Abhinav Publications. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7017-006-8.
- ^ "Constitution of Cambodia 1947" (PDF). 6 May 1947. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Cambodian Queen is Dead in Peking". The New York Times. 28 April 1975. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Chandler, David (4 May 2018). A History of Cambodia (4th ed.). Routledge. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-429-96406-0.
In 1960 Sihanouk's father, King Suramarit, died. After a series of maneuvers, Sihanouk had himself named Cambodia's chief of state with his mother, Queen Kossamak, continuing to serve as a monarch for ceremonial purposes.
External links edit
- "$1 million royal gift for Kantha Bopha" in Khmer Times Archived 12 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine
- "Cambodia marks beginning of farming season with royal ploughing ceremony" in Xinhuanet
- "Cambodian king, PM wrap up annual Water Festival" in Xinhuanet
- "The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia" (PDF). World Intellectual Property Organization. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- "President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times Archived 12 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine