In Pictures
Huge crowds mourn death of Cambodia's king
Phnom Penh hosts funeral procession as Cambodians pay their respects to former king Norodom Sihanouk.
Last Modified: 02 Feb 2013 16:06

The four-day long funeral of Cambodia’s late King Norodom Sihanouk began on Friday, complete with royal pomp and ceremony. Sihanouk was born in 1922 and led what many consider a colourful and eventful life. Revered by many in Cambodia, Sihanouk is fondly remembered for leading the country to independence from the French in 1953.

He was crowned king in 1941 but by 1955 he decided to abdicate to become involved in politics and became prime minister that same year.

As war began to rage across Indochina he tried to keep Cambodia neutral but was put under pressure from all sides. He was eventually deposed by the US-backed Lon Nol regime in 1970, at the height of the Vietnam war.

In exile, he aligned himself with the Khmer Rouge and was installed as their figurehead during their genocidal regime. Sihanouk remained Cambodia’s monarch after the Vietnamese invasion in 1979 and abdicated for the second and final time in 2004, due to ill health. 

Sihanouk had a reputation as a bit of a playboy in his earlier years, and had several wives, fathering at least 14 children. He was also famous for making numerous films, many of which are still popular today. Sihanouk's life was inextricably tied to events in Cambodia over the course of his 89 years.

Funeral events

The day began at sunrise with Buddhist ceremonies being held in the privacy of the Royal Palace, while crowds gathered outside. There had been suggestions in the press of upwards of a million people coming out on the streets to show their last respects to the King, however the many thousands of people who did line the streets were there by invitation only. Almost one third of the capital was closed off to the general public to allow for a 6km procession around the city.

The funeral procession began with the late king’s son and daughter, Prince Ranariddh and Princess Bopha Devi, leading the coffin to the riverside where they joined thousands of officials, soldiers, court attendants and ordinary people for the twoand-a half hour procession. The coffin stopped at four of Phnom Penh’s most important Pagodas to receive the blessings of monks before returning to the cremation site, located next door to the palace complex.

On Saturday and Sunday, people will be able to visit the cremation site to pay their respects before the cremation on Monday, which will be attended by a number of heads of state.
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Women monks await the arrival of the funeral procession 
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Young Khmer girls in traditional costume await the start of the day's events
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
A 101 gun salute to King Sihanouk over the Tonle Sap River
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
King Sihamoni and the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk follow the coffin of the late King as it joins the procession
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Thousands of women participated in the funeral procession
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
The coffin of the late King leaves the Palace from Victory Gate
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
The late King's ornate coffin being prepared for the 6km procession around Phnom Penh
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Royal attendants wear elaborate costumes for the procession
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
The procession proceeds down Norodom Boulevard, a main road in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Members of the royal family wave to the crowds lining Norodom Boulevard
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Crowds line the procession route
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Thousands came out to pay their respects to the late kind
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Soldiers pull thee coffin of the late King from the palace before joining the procession
Allan Michaud/Al Jazeera
Prince Ranariddh and Princess Bopha Devi lead the coffin of the late King from the palace
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captions:
Women monks await the arrival of the funeral procession ;*;Young Khmer girls in traditional costume await the start of the day(***)s events;*;A 101 gun salute to King Sihanouk over the Tonle Sap River;*; King Sihamoni and the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk follow the coffin of the late King as it joins the procession;*;Thousands of women participated in the funeral procession;*;The coffin of the late King leaves the Palace from Victory Gate;*; The late King\(***)s ornate coffin being prepared for the 6km procession around Phnom Penh;*;Royal attendants wear elaborate costumes for the procession;*;The procession proceeds down Norodom Boulevard, a main road in Cambodia\(***)s capital Phnom Penh;*;Members of the royal family wave to the crowds lining Norodom Boulevard;*;Crowds line the procession route;*;Thousands came out to pay their respects to the late kind;*;Soldiers pull thee coffin of the late King from the palace before joining the procession;*;Prince Ranariddh and Princess Bopha Devi lead the coffin of the late King from the palace Daylife ID:
1359717427206
Photographer:
Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud;*;Allan Michaud
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Gallery Source:
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Daylife Raw Data:
Funeral procession for Cambodia's Kinghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-Kingen-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:17:07 GMTFri, 01 Feb 2013 13:42:46 GMT http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=040G48TfPp5BR

Women monks await the arrival of the funeral procession 

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=040G48TfPp5BRAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

Women monks await the arrival of the funeral procession 

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=04j49ba90v0eG

Young Khmer girls in traditional costume await the start of the day'€™s events

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=04j49ba90v0eGAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

Young Khmer girls in traditional costume await the start of the day'€™s events

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=01U30Fic17c0cA 101 gun salute to King Sihanouk over the Tonle Sap RiverFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=01U30Fic17c0cAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA 101 gun salute to King Sihanouk over the Tonle Sap River http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=01Hi7edgbc8yn King Sihamoni and the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk follow the coffin of the late King as it joins the processionFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=01Hi7edgbc8ynAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images King Sihamoni and the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk follow the coffin of the late King as it joins the procession http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=00F7aeB1ZKdW8

Thousands of women participated in the funeral procession

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=00F7aeB1ZKdW8Allan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

Thousands of women participated in the funeral procession

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=04Djgs46rX18NThe coffin of the late King leaves the Palace from Victory GateFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=04Djgs46rX18NAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesThe coffin of the late King leaves the Palace from Victory Gate http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=06UY8sN6GycQg The late King's ornate coffin being prepared for the 6km procession around Phnom PenhFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=06UY8sN6GycQgAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images The late King's ornate coffin being prepared for the 6km procession around Phnom Penh http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0cyHbII28F6YsRoyal attendants wear elaborate costumes for the processionFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0cyHbII28F6YsAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesRoyal attendants wear elaborate costumes for the procession http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=05dz9JOerl8UWThe procession proceeds down Norodom Boulevard, a main road in Cambodia's capital Phnom PenhFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=05dz9JOerl8UWAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesThe procession proceeds down Norodom Boulevard, a main road in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0d709Uc9WLatbMembers of the royal family wave to the crowds lining Norodom BoulevardFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0d709Uc9WLatbAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesMembers of the royal family wave to the crowds lining Norodom Boulevard http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0bOg6TL7R627O

Crowds line the procession route

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0bOg6TL7R627OAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

Crowds line the procession route

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0df8fl19Uretw

Thousands came out to pay their respects to the late kind

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=0df8fl19UretwAllan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

Thousands came out to pay their respects to the late kind

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=07pc35rgMz9T6Soldiers pull thee coffin of the late King from the palace before joining the processionFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=07pc35rgMz9T6Allan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesSoldiers pull thee coffin of the late King from the palace before joining the procession http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=05Hsd2c0aZ4A6Prince Ranariddh and Princess Bopha Devi lead the coffin of the late King from the PalaceFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Funeral-procession-for-Cambodia's-King?image_id=05Hsd2c0aZ4A6Allan MichaudAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesPrince Ranariddh and Princess Bopha Devi lead the coffin of the late King from the Palace

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