Monarchy of Cambodia explained

Royal Title:	King
Realm:	Cambodia
Native Name:	Central Khmer: ព្រះមហាក្សត្រនៃកម្ពុជា
Coatofarms:	Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia.svgborder
Incumbent:	Norodom Sihamoni
Incumbentsince:	14 October 2004
His/Her:	His
Date:	68 CE; years ago
Abolition:	18 March 1970 – 24 September 1993

The monarchy of Cambodia refers to the constitutional monarchy of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The King of Cambodia (Central 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

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

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

• Sage Kambu Swayambhuva

Ancient period (68–1431)

Funan (68–627)

Order	Monarch	Name in foreign texts	Reign
1	Queen Soma	Liǔyè (traditional Khmer call: Neang Neak)	68 – later 1st century
2		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	201–225
6	Unknown	Fàn Jīnshēng	225
7	Unknown	Fàn Zhān	225–244
8	Unknown	Fàn Chāng	244
9	Unknown	Fàn Xún	244–289
Interregnum: 289 – 4th century
10	Candana	Tiānzhú Zhāntán	4th century – 410
11		Qiáochénrú	410–434
12	Srindravarman	Chílítuóbámó	434–435
13	Unknown	Unknown	435–438?
14	Unknown	Unknown	438?–484
15	Jayavarman Kaundinya	Shéyébámó	484–514
16	Queen Kulaprabhavati	Unknown	514–517
17		Liútuóbámó	514–550
Funan–Chenla War: 550–627
		Unknown	550–600
	Mhenteractvarman	Unknown	600–615
	Nteractvarman	Unknown	615–627

Chenla (550–802)

Order	Monarch	Personal name	Reign
18	Srutavarman	Srutavarman	550–555
19	Sreshthavarman	Sreshthavarman	555–560
20	Vīravarman	Viravarman	560–575
21	Queen Kambuja-raja-lakshmi	Kambujarajalakshmi	575–580
22	Bhavavarman I	Bhavavarman	580–600
23	Mahendravarman	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
28	Nripatindravarman I	Nripatindravarman	713–716
Female successors of Upper Chenla (Land Chenla)^[25]
29	Queen Indrani	Indrani	c.716–760
30	Queen Nṛpatendradevī	Nrpatendradevi	c.760–780
31	Queen Jayendrabhā	Jayendrabha	c.780–802
32	Queen Jyeṣṭhāryā	Jyestharya	c.802–803
Male successors of Lower Chenla (Water Chenla)^[26]
29		Pushkaraksha	c.716–730
30		Shambhuvarman	c.730–760
31		Rajendravarman	c.760–770
32	Mahipativarman	Mahipativarman	c.770–780
33	Jayavarman II	Jayavarman	c.780–802

Khmer Empire (802–1431)

Order	Monarch	Personal name	Reign
33	Jayavarman II	Jayavarman	802–850
34	Jayavarman III	Jayavarthon	850–877
35	Indravarman I	Indravarman	877–889
36	Yasovarman I	Yasovarthon	889–910
37	Harshavarman I	Harshavarman	910–923
38	Ishanavarman II	Isanavarman	923–928
39	Jayavarman IV	Jayavarman	928–941
40	Harshavarman II	Harshavarman	941–944
41	Rajendravarman II	Rajedravarman	944–968
42	Jayavarman V	Jayavarman	968–1001
43	Udayadityavarman I	Udayadityavarman	1001–1002
44	Jayavirahvarman	Jayavirahvarman	1002–1006
45	Suryavarman I	Suryavarman	1006–1050
46	Udayadityavarman II	Udayadityavarman	1050–1066
47	Harshavarman III	Harshavarman	1066–1080
48	Nripatindravarman II	Nripatindravarman	1080–1113
49	Jayavarman VI	Jayavarman	1080–1107
50	Dharanindravarman I	Dharanindravarman	1107–1113
51	Suryavarman II	Suryavarman	1113–1150
52	Dharanindravarman II	Dharanindravarman	1150–1156
53	Yasovarman II	Yasovarman	1156–1165
54	Tribhuvanadityavarman	Tribhuvanadityavarman	1165–1177
Cham invasion by Jaya Indravarman: 1177–1181
55	Jayavarman VII	Jayavarthon	1181–1218
56	Indravarman II	Indrakumara	1218–1243
The first major Thai kingdom was created in Sukhothai, an area formerly ruled by Lavo in vassalage to Angkor: 1238
57	Jayavarman VIII	Jayavarman	1243–1295
58	Indravarman III	Srei Indravama	1295–1308
59	Indrajayavarman	Srei Jayavama	1308–1327
60	Jayavarman IX	Jayavama Borommesvarah	1327–1336
61	Trasak Paem	Ponhea Chey	1336–1340
62	Nippean Bat	Ponhea Kreak	1340–1346
63	Sithean Reachea	Sidhanta Raja	1346–1347
64	Lompong Reachea	Trasak Peam	1347–1352
Uthong dynasty of Ayutthaya invasion: 1352–1357
65	Basat	Bakrasat	1356–1359
66	Soryavong	Soryavong	1357–1363
67	Borom Reachea I	Barom Reamea	1363–1373
68	Thomma Saok	Kaeo Fa	1373–1393
Uthong dynasty of Ayutthaya invasion: 1393 (5 months)
69	In Reachea	Nakhonin	1394–1421
70	Ponhea Prek	Ponhea Prek	1421
71	Borom Reachea II	Ponhea Yat	1421–1431
Ayutthaya invasion and fall of Angkor: 1431

Middle period (1431–1863)

Chaktomuk period (1431–1525)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	width=15%	Personal Name!	Reign
Borom Reachea II Central Khmer: បរមរាជាទី២		Ponhea Yat Central Khmer: ពញាយ៉ាត	1431–1463
Noreay Reameathiptei Central Khmer: នរាយ រាមាធិបតី		Narayanaraja Central Khmer: នរាយណ៍រាជាទី១ទ	1463–1469
Reachea Reameathiptei Central Khmer: រាជា រាមាធិបតី		Sri Raja Central Khmer: ស្រីរាជា	1469–1475
Srei Soriyotei Central Khmer: ស្រីសុរិយោទ័យទី២		Rajadhiraja	1472–1475
Thommo Reachea I Central Khmer: ធម្មោ រាជា ទី១		Dhammarajadhiraja	1476–1504
Srei Sukonthor Central Khmer: ស្រីសុគន្ធធោ		Damkhat Sukonthor	1504–1512

Longvek period (1525–1594)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	width=15%	Personal Name!	Reign
Srei Chettha Central Khmer: ស្រីជេដ្ឋា		Sdach Korn Central Khmer: ស្ដេចកន	1512–1521
Civil war: Srei Chettha and Chan Reachea war: 1516–1525
Chan Reachea Central Khmer: ចន្ទរាជា		Ponhea Chan Central Khmer: ពញាចន្ទ	1516–1566
Barom Reachea I Central Khmer: បរមរាជាទី១		Satha Mahindharaja	1566–1576
Satha I Central Khmer: សត្ថាទី១		Barom Reachea IV Central Khmer: បរមរាជា	1576–1584
Chey Chettha I Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋាទី១		Chey Chettha Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋា	1584–1594
Ayutthaya invasion and fall of Longvek: 1591–1594

Srei Santhor period (1594–1620)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	width=15%	Personal Name!	Reign
Preah Ram I Central Khmer: ព្រះរាម ទី១		Reamea Cheung Prey Central Khmer: រាមាជើងព្រៃ	1594–1596
Preah Ram II Central Khmer: ព្រះរាម ទី២		Keo Ban On	1596–1597
Paramaraja II (Barom Reachea II) Central Khmer: បរមរាជា ទី២		Ponhea Ton Central Khmer: ពញាតន់	1597–1599
Paramaraja III (Barom Reachea III) Central Khmer: បរមរាជា ទី៣		Ponhea An Central Khmer: ពញាអន	1599–1600
Kaev Hua I Central Khmer: កែវហ៊្វាទី១		Ponhea Nhom Central Khmer: ពញាញោម	1600–1603
Paramaraja IV (Barom Reachea IV) Central Khmer: បរមរាជា ទី៤		Srei Soriyopor Central Khmer: ស្រីសុរិយោពណ៌	1603–1618

Oudong period (1620–1863)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	width=15%	Personal Name!	Reign	Relationship to predecessor
Chey Chettha II Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋាទី២			1618–1628	Son
Dhammaraja II (Thommo Reachea II) Central Khmer: ស្រីធម្មរាជាទី២		Ponhea To Central Khmer: ពញាតូ	1628–1631	Son
Ang Tong Reachea Central Khmer: អង្គទងរាជា		Ponhea Nou Central Khmer: ពញានូ	1631–1640	Brother
Padumaraja (Batom Reachea) Central Khmer: បទុមរាជា		Ang Non Central Khmer: អង្គនន់	1640–1642	Cousin
Ramadhipati (Reameathiptei I) Central Khmer: រាមាធិបតីទី១		Ponhea Chan Central Khmer: ពញាចន្ទ	1642–1658	Cousin
Paramaraja V (Barom Reachea V) Central Khmer: បុរមរាជា ទី៥		Ang So Central Khmer: អង្គសូរ	1658–1672	Cousin
Chey Chettha III Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋា ទី៣			1672–1673	Nephew
Kaev Hua II Central Khmer: ព្រះកែវហ៊្វាទី២		Ang Chee Central Khmer: អង្គជី	1673–1674	Cousin
Batom Reachea III Central Khmer: បទុមរាជាទី៣		Ang Nan	1674
Chey Chettha IV Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋា ទី៤		Ang Sor	1675–1695, 1696–1699, 1700–1702 and 1703–1706
Queen Tey		Unknown	1687	Mother^[27]
Outey I Central Khmer: ឧទ័យទី១		Ang Yong Central Khmer: អង្គយ៉ង	1695–1696	Cousin once removed
Parama Ramadhipati (Barom Reameathiptei) Central Khmer: បរម រាមាធិបតី		Ang Em	1699–1700 and 1710–1722
Dhammaraja III (Thommo Reachea III) Central Khmer: សេដ្ឋា ទី២		Ang Tham	1702–1703, 1706–1709 and 1736–1747
Satha II Central Khmer: សេដ្ឋា ទី២		Ang Chey Central Khmer: អង្គជ័យ	1722–1736 and 1749
Dhammaraja IV (Thommo Reachea IV) Central Khmer: ស្រីធម្មរាជា		Ang Em Central Khmer: អង្គឯម	1747
Ramadhipati III (Reameathiptei III) Central Khmer: រាមាធិបតីទី៣		Ang Tong Central Khmer: អង្គទង	1748–1749, 1755–1758	Brother-in-law
Chey Chettha V Central Khmer: ជ័យជេដ្ឋា ទី៥		Ang Snguon Central Khmer: អង្គស្ងួន	1749–1755	Brother-in-law
Udayaraja II (Outey Reachea II) Central Khmer: ឧទ័យរាជា ទី២		Ang Ton Central Khmer: អង្គតន់	1758–1775	Cousin twice removed
Ream Reachea Central Khmer: ព្រះរាមរាជា		Ang Non II Central Khmer: អង្គនន់ទី ២	1775–1779	Cousin once removed
Narayanaraja III (Neareay Reachea III) Central Khmer: នារាយណ៍រាជាទី ៣ ។		Ang Eng Central Khmer: អង្គអេង	1779–1782, 1794–1796	Cousin twice removed
Regency, Ang Chan being a minor: 1796–1806
Udayaraja III (Outey Reachea III) Central Khmer: ឧទ័យរាជា ទី៣		Ang Chan II Central Khmer: អង្គចន្ទ	1806–1834	Son
Queen Ang Mey Central Khmer: អង្គម៉ី		Ksat Trey	1835–1840, 1844–1846	Daughter
Hariraksa Rama Issaradhipati (Harireak Reamea Issarathiptei) Central Khmer: ហរិរក្សរាមាឥស្សរាធិបតី		Ang Duong Central Khmer: អង្គដួង	1848–1860	Uncle
Norodom Prohmbarirak Central Khmer: នរោត្ដម ព្រហ្មបរិរក្ស		Ang Voddey Central Khmer: អង្គវតី	19 October 1860 – 11 August 1863	Son

Modern period (1863–present)

French protectorate of Cambodia (1863–1953)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	House		Birth!	Death		Relationship to predecessor
Norodom Prohmbarirak Central Khmer: នរោត្ដម ព្រហ្មបរិរក្ស 11 August 1863 – 24 April 1904		Norodom	3 February 1834 Angkor Borei	24 April 1904 Phnom Penh Aged:	Son
Sisowath Chamchakrapong Central Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ ចមចក្រពង្ស 27 April 1904 – 9 August 1927		Sisowath	7 September 1840 Mongkol Borey	9 August 1927 Phnom Penh Aged:	Half-brother
Sisowath Monivong Central Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនីវង្ស 9 August 1927 – 23 April 1941		Sisowath	27 December 1875 Phnom Penh	23 April 1941 Kampot Aged:	Son
Norodom Sihanouk^[28] Central Khmer: នរោត្តម សីហនុ 24 April 1941 – 2 March 1955		Norodom	31 October 1922 Phnom Penh	15 October 2012 Beijing Aged:	Maternal grandson

First Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–1970)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	House		Birth!	Death		Relationship to predecessor
Norodom Suramarit Central Khmer: នរោត្តម សុរាម្រិត 3 March 1955 – 3 April 1960		Norodom	6 March 1896 Phnom Penh	3 April 1960 Phnom Penh Aged:	Father
Sisowath Kossamak Central Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ កុសុមៈ 20 June 1960 – 9 October 1970		Sisowath Norodom	9 April 1904 Phnom Penh	27 April 1975 Beijing Aged:	Consort

Second Kingdom of Cambodia (1993–present)

width=15%	Name!	width=105px	Portrait!	House		Birth!	Death		Relationship to predecessor
Norodom Sihanouk Central Khmer: នរោត្តម សីហនុ 24 September 1993 – 7 October 2004		Norodom	31 October 1922 Phnom Penh	15 October 2012 Beijing Aged:	Son
Norodom Sihamoni Central Khmer: នរោត្តម សីហមុនី 14 October 2004 – present		Norodom	14 May 1953 Phnom Penh	Living Age:	Son

See also

• Monarchs' family tree
• List of heads of state of Cambodia
• Prime Minister of Cambodia
  • List of prime ministers of Cambodia
• Devaraja
• Abolition of monarchy

External links

• "$1 million royal gift for Kantha Bopha" in Khmer Times
• "Cambodia marks beginning of farming season with royal ploughing ceremony" in Xinhuanet
• "Cambodian king, PM wrap up annual Water Festival" in Xinhuanet
• Web site: The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia . World Intellectual Property Organization . 16 July 2019 . 13 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200213212342/https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/kh/kh009en.pdf . live .
• "President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times

Notes and References

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. Web site: "President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times . 25 October 2018 . 12 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190512165741/https://gbtimes.com/president-xi-meets-cambodian-king-in-beijing . dead .
21. Web site: Cambodia's Monarchy: The search for the successor. Julio A.. Jeldres. The Phnom Penh Post. 2 April 1999. 21 June 2020. 2 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200802221927/https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodias-monarchy-search-successor. live.
22. News: Cambodian Prince Ranariddh's body arrives home from France. The Star. 5 December 2021. 28 July 2023.
23. News: Reign of the quiet king. The Phnom Penh Post. 29 October 2014. 8 September 2021.
24. News: Hun Sen made Privy Council President. Khmer Times. 23 August 2023. 26 August 2023.
25. Book: Jacobsen, Trudy . Lost Goddesses: The Denial of Female Power in Cambodian History . 2008 . NIAS Press . 978-87-7694-001-0 . 27–30 . en.
26. Book: Sharan, Mahesh Kumar . Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia . Abhinav Publications . 2003 . 978-81-7017-006-8 . 34. en.
27. Book: Jacobsen, Trudy . Lost Goddesses: The Denial of Female Power in Cambodian History . 2008 . NIAS Press . 978-87-7694-001-0 . 87. en. Jai Jettha III, who ruled five or six times between 1677 and 1702, abdicated in 1687 in favour of his mother Queen Tey. She remained there for a matter of months before returning the throne to her son..
28. Web site: Constitution of Cambodia 1947. 6 May 1947. 27 July 2021. 27 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727022800/https://media.bloomsburyprofessional.com/rep/files/cambodia-constitution-1947x.pdf. live.