Monarchy of Cambodia

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox monarchy Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists The monarchy of Cambodia is the constitutional monarchy of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The king of Cambodia (Template:Langx) 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 50 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" as well as being the "symbol of national unity and continuity".

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.
• Convening over the opening of the two legislative bodies, the National Assembly of Cambodia and the Senate of Cambodia.
• Serving as the supreme commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
• Presiding over the Supreme Council of the National Defense.
• Meeting with the prime minister on a semi-monthly basis in which the king is briefed on matters of state.
• Signing the royal code/decree that gives effect to laws enacted by the legislature and proposals by the cabinet.
• Acting as "supreme arbiter" to enable the functioning of state institutions.
• Receiving credentials from ambassadors.
• Possessing the power of commutation and pardon.
• Presiding over the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.
• Appointing a fixed number of members to serve on state institutions such as the Senate and the Constitutional Council.
• Awarding of national honours.

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 including religious ceremonies and traditions integral to the Khmer nation, supporting humanitarian and philanthropic causes, and representing Cambodia abroad when undertaking official visits overseas. Although there have been female rulers in the past, the 1993 constitution currently forbids women from succeeding to the throne.

Ministry of the Royal Palace

The Ministry of the Royal Palace, currently overseen by Minister Kuy Sophal 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.

Mythological history

• Sage Kambu Swayambhuva

Ancient period (68–1431)

Funan (68–627)

Order	Monarch	Name in foreign texts	Reign
1	Queen Soma	Chinese Call: Liǔyè (traditional Khmer call: Neang Neak)	68 – later 1st century
2	Kaundinya I	Chinese Call: Hùntián (traditional Khmer call: Preah Tong)	later 1st century
3	Native name unknown	Hun Pan-huang	later 2nd century – 198
4	Native name unknown	Hun Pan-pan	198–201
5	Srei Meara	Template:Ill	201–225
6	Native name unknown	Template:Ill	225
7	Native name unknown	Template:Ill	225–244
8	Native name unknown	Template:Ill	244
9	Native name unknown	Template:Ill	244–289
Unknown rulers: 289–c.357
10	Candana	Tiānzhú Zhāntán	c.357
Unknown rulers: c.357–410
11	Kaundinya II	Qiáochénrú	410–434
12	Template:Ill	Chílítuóbámó	434–435
Unknown rulers: 435–484
13	Jayavarman Kaundinya	Shéyébámó	484–514
14	Queen Kulaprabhavati	Chinese name unknown	514–517
15	Rudravarman	Liútuóbámó	514–550
Unknown rulers: 550–627

Source:

Chenla (550–802)

Order	Monarch	Personal name	Reign
1	Srutavarman	Srutavarman	550–555
2	Sreshthavarman	Sreshthavarman	555–560
3	Vīravarman	Viravarman	560–575
4	Queen Kambuja-raja-lakshmi	Kambujarajalakshmi	575–580
5	Bhavavarman I	Bhavavarman	580–600
6	Mahendravarman	Chet Sen	600–616
7	Isanavarman I	Isanavarman	616–635
8	Bhavavarman II	Bhavavarman	639–657
9	Jayavarman I	Jayavarman	657–681
10	Queen Jayadevi	Jayadevi	c.681–713
Female successors of Upper Chenla (Land Chenla)
11	Queen Indrani	Indrani	c.713–760
12	Queen Nṛpatendradevī	Nrpatendradevi	c.760–780
13	Queen Jayendrabhā	Jayendrabha	c.780–802
14	Queen Jyeṣṭhāryā	Jyestharya	c.802–803
Male successors of Lower Chenla (Water Chenla)
11	Template:Ill	Pushkaraksha	c.713–730
12	Template:Ill	Shambhuvarman	c.730–760
13	Template:Ill	Rajendravarman	c.760–770
14	Mahipativarman	Mahipativarman	c.770–780
15	Jayavarman II	Jayavarman	c.780–802

Source:

Khmer Empire (802–1431)

Order	Monarch	Personal name	Reign
1	Jayavarman II	Jayavarman	802–850
2	Jayavarman III	Jayavarthon	850–877
3	Indravarman I	Indravarman	877–889
4	Yasovarman I	Yasovarthon	889–910
5	Harshavarman I	Harshavarman	910–923
6	Ishanavarman II	Isanavarman	923–928
7	Jayavarman IV	Jayavarman	928–941
8	Harshavarman II	Harshavarman	941–944
9	Rajendravarman II	Rajedravarman	944–968
10	Jayavarman V	Jayavarman	968–1001
11	Udayadityavarman I	Udayadityavarman	1001–1002
12	Jayavirahvarman	Jayavirahvarman	1002–1006
13	Suryavarman I	Suryavarman	1006–1050
14	Udayadityavarman II	Udayadityavarman	1050–1066
15	Harshavarman III	Harshavarman	1066–1080
16	Nripatindravarman	Nripatindravarman	1080–1113
17	Jayavarman VI	Jayavarman	1080–1107
18	Dharanindravarman I	Dharanindravarman	1107–1113
19	Suryavarman II	Suryavarman	1113–1150
20	Dharanindravarman II	Dharanindravarman	1150–1156
21	Yasovarman II	Yasovarman	1156–1165
22	Tribhuvanadityavarman	Tribhuvanadityavarman	1165–1177
Cham invasion by Jaya Indravarman: 1177–1181
23	Jayavarman VII	Jayavarthon	1181–1218
24	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
25	Jayavarman VIII	Jayavarman	1243–1295
26	Indravarman III	Srei Indravama	1295–1308
27	Indrajayavarman	Srei Jayavama	1308–1327
28	Jayavarman IX	Jayavama Borommesvarah	1327–1336
29	Trasak Paem	Ponhea Chey	1336–1340
30	Nippean Bat	Ponhea Kreak	1340–1346
31	Sithean Reachea	Sidhanta Raja	1346–1347
32	Lompong Reachea	Trasak Peam	1347–1352
Uthong dynasty of Ayutthaya invasion: 1352–1357
33	Basat	Bakrasat	1356–1359
34	Soryavong	Soryavong	1357–1363
35	Borom Reachea I	Barom Reamea	1363–1373
36	Thomma Saok	Kaeo Fa	1373–1393
Suphannaphum dynasty of Ayutthaya invasion: 1393 (5 months)
37	In Reachea	Nakhonin	1394–1421
38	Ponhea Prek	Ponhea Prek	1421
39	Borom Reachea II	Ponhea Yat	1421–1431
Ayutthaya invasion and fall of Angkor: 1431

Middle period (1431–1863)

Chaktomuk era (1431–1525)

Name	Portrait	Personal Name	Reign
Borom Reachea II	File:PonheaYatពញាយ៉ាត1390-1463.jpg	Ponhea Yat	1431–1463
Noreay Reameathiptei	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Narayanaraja	1463–1469
Reachea Reameathiptei	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Sri Raja	1469–1475
Srei Soriyotei	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Rajadhiraja	1472–1475
Thommo Reachea I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Dhammarajadhiraja	1476–1504
Srei Sukonthor	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Damkhat Sukonthor	1504–1512

Longvek era (1525–1594)

Name	Portrait	Personal Name	Reign
Srei Chettha	File:King Srey Chetha.jpg	Sdach Korn	1512–1521
Civil war: Srei Chettha and Chan Reachea war: 1516–1525
Chan Reachea	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea Chan	1516–1566
Barom Reachea I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Satha Mahindharaja	1566–1576
Satha I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Barom Reachea IV	1576–1584
Chey Chettha I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Chey Chettha	1584–1594
Ayutthaya invasion and fall of Longvek: 1591–1594

Srei Santhor era (1594–1620)

Name	Portrait	Personal Name	Reign
Preah Ram I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Reamea Cheung Prey	1594–1596
Preah Ram II	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Keo Ban On	1596–1597
Paramaraja II (Template:Ill)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea Ton	1597–1599
Paramaraja III (Barom Reachea III)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea An	1599–1600
Kaev Hua I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea Nhom	1600–1603
Paramaraja IV (Barom Reachea IV)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Srei Soriyopor	1603–1618

Oudong era (1620–1863)

Name	Portrait	Personal Name	Reign	Relationship to predecessor
Chey Chettha II	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg		1618–1628	Son
Dhammaraja II (Thommo Reachea II)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea To	1628–1631	Son
Ang Tong Reachea	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea Nou	1631–1640	Brother
Padumaraja (Batom Reachea)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Non	1640–1642	CousinTemplate:Efn
Ramadhipati (Reameathiptei I) or Sultan Ibrahim	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ponhea Chan	1642–1658	Cousin
Paramaraja V (Barom Reachea V)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang So	1658–1672	Cousin
Chey Chettha III	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg		1672–1673	NephewTemplate:Efn
Kaev Hua II	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Chee	1673–1674	CousinTemplate:Efn
Batom Reachea III	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Nan	1674	Template:Efn
Chey Chettha IV	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Sor	1675–1695, 1696–1699, 1700–1702 and 1703–1706	Template:Efn
Queen Tey	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg		1687	Mother
Outey I	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Yong	1695–1696	Cousin once removedTemplate:Efn
Parama Ramadhipati (Barom Reameathiptei)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Em	1699–1700 and 1710–1722	Template:Efn
Dhammaraja III (Thommo Reachea III)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Tham	1702–1703, 1706–1709 and 1736–1747	Template:Efn
Satha II	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Chey	1722–1736 and 1749	Template:Efn
Dhammaraja IV (Thommo Reachea IV)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Em	1747	Template:Efn
Ramadhipati III (Reameathiptei III)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Tong	1748–1749, 1755–1758	Brother-in-law
Chey Chettha V	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Snguon	1749–1755	Brother-in-law
Udayaraja II (Outey Reachea II)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Ton	1758–1775	Cousin twice removedTemplate:Efn
Ream Reachea	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Non II	1775–1779	Cousin once removedTemplate:Efn
Narayanaraja III (Neareay Reachea III)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Eng	1779–1782, 1794–1796	Cousin twice removedTemplate:Efn
Regency, Outey Reachea III being a minor: 1796–1806
Udayaraja III (Outey Reachea III)	File:Royal Crown of Cambodia (heraldry).svg	Ang Chan II	1806–1834	Son
Queen Ang Mey	File:Ang Mey, Queen of Cambodia.jpeg	Ksat Trey	1835–1840, 1844–1846	Daughter
Hariraksa Rama Issaradhipati (Harireak Reamea Issarathiptei)	File:Ang Duong (cropped).jpg	Ang Duong	1848–1860	Uncle
Norodom Prohmbarirak	File:Norodom, the King of Cambodia Wellcome V0037202.jpg	Ang Voddey	19 October 1860 – 11 August 1863	Son

Modern period (1863–present)

French protectorate of Cambodia (1863–1953)

Name	Portrait	House	Birth	Death	Relationship to predecessor
Norodom Prohmbarirak 11 August 1863 – 24 April 1904 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Norodom, the King of Cambodia Wellcome V0037202.jpg	Norodom	3 February 1834 Angkor Borei	24 April 1904 Phnom Penh Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Son
Sisowath Chamchakrapong 27 April 1904 – 9 August 1927 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Prince Sisawat.jpg	Sisowath	7 September 1840 Mongkol Borey	9 August 1927 Phnom Penh Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Half-brother
Sisowath Monivong 9 August 1927 – 23 April 1941 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Sisowath Monivong sitting (crop).jpg	Sisowath	27 December 1875 Phnom Penh	23 April 1941 Kampot Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Son
Norodom Sihanouk 24 April 1941 – 2 March 1955 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Norodom Sihanouk Coronation Regalia 1941 bw.jpg	Norodom	31 October 1922 Phnom Penh	15 October 2012 Beijing Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Maternal grandson

First Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–1970)

Name	Portrait	House	Birth	Death	Relationship to predecessor
King Norodom Suramarit 3 March 1955 – 3 April 1960 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:King Norodom Suramarit of Cambodia.JPG	Norodom	6 March 1896 Phnom Penh	3 April 1960 Phnom Penh Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Father
Queen Sisowath Kossamak 20 June 1960 – 9 October 1970 (Template:Age in years and days)Template:Efn	File:Queen Sisowath Kossamak of Cambodia.JPG	Sisowath (by birth) Norodom (by marriage)	9 April 1904 Phnom Penh	27 April 1975 Beijing Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Consort

Second Kingdom of Cambodia (1993–present)

Name	Portrait	House	Birth	Death	Relationship to predecessor
Norodom Sihanouk 24 September 1993 – 7 October 2004 (Template:Age in years and days)	File:Norodom Sihanouk (1983).jpg	Norodom	31 October 1922 Phnom Penh	15 October 2012 Beijing Aged: Template:Age in years and days	Son
Norodom Sihamoni 14 October 2004 – present (Template:Age in years and days)	File:King Norodom Sihamoni (2019).jpg	Norodom	14 May 1953 Phnom Penh	Living Age: Template:Age in years and days	Son

Royal symbols

• Royal Arms of Cambodia (1953–1970), restored 1993
  Royal Arms of Cambodia (1953–1970), restored 1993
• Royal Arms of Cambodia (1864–1953), lesser arms (1953–1970)
  Royal Arms of Cambodia (1864–1953), lesser arms (1953–1970)
• 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 (since 1993)
  Royal Standard of The King of Cambodia (since 1993)

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 Template:Webarchive
• "Cambodia marks beginning of farming season with royal ploughing ceremony" in Xinhuanet
• "Cambodian king, PM wrap up annual Water Festival" in Xinhuanet
• "President Xi meets Cambodian king in Beijing" in GB Times Template:Webarchive