Monarchy of Cambodia

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For heads of state, see List of heads of state of Cambodia.

King of Cambodia
ព្រះមហាក្សត្រនៃកម្ពុជា
Royal Arms of Cambodia
Incumbent
Norodom Sihamoni
since 14 October 2004
Details
StyleHis Majesty
First monarchQueen Soma
Formation68 CE; 1,955–1,956 years ago
Abolition18 March 1970 – 24 September 1993
ResidenceKhemarin Palace
(official)
The Royal Residence
(secondary)
AppointerRoyal Council of the Throne
Websitenorodomsihamoni.org
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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).

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:

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

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 (until 1970)
  • Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia (1993–present)
    Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia (1993–present)
  • Royal arms of Cambodia
    Royal arms of Cambodia

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Queen Sisowath Kossamak was not an official monarch, but a "symbol, incarnation, and representative" of the dynasty after the death of her husband, King Norodom Suramarit. Norodom Sihanouk appointed himself chief of state whose powers equal that of a traditional monarch.[29][30]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 7.
  2. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 8.
  3. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter X, Article 119.
  4. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VII, Article 82.
  5. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VIII, Article 106.
  6. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 23.
  7. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 20.
  8. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Articles 26 and 28.
  9. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 9.
  10. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 25.
  11. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 27.
  12. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 21.
  13. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter XI, Article 134.
  14. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter VIII, Article 100.
  15. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter XII, Article 137.
  16. ^ The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chapter II, Article 29.
  17. ^ "Cambodian king,..."
  18. ^ "Cambodia marks..."
  19. ^ "$1 million royal gift..."
  20. ^ ""President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times". Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "Cambodian Prince Ranariddh's body arrives home from France". The Star. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Reign of the quiet king". The Phnom Penh Post. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Hun Sen made Privy Council President". Khmer Times. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  25. ^ Sharan, Mahesh Kumar (2003). Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia. Abhinav Publications. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-7017-006-8.
  26. ^ Jacobsen, Trudy (2008). Lost Goddesses: The Denial of Female Power in Cambodian History. NIAS Press. pp. 27–30. ISBN 978-87-7694-001-0.
  27. ^ Sharan, Mahesh Kumar (2003). Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia. Abhinav Publications. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7017-006-8.
  28. ^ "Constitution of Cambodia 1947" (PDF). 6 May 1947. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ 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]

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