• Cambodians throng to revered king's cremation

    Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP - Getty Images

    Cambodian royal family members travel on a royal boat as they drop ashes of former king Norodom Sihanouk in the Mekong river in Phnom Penh on Feb. 5, 2013 following his cremation on Feb. 4.

    Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP - Getty Images

    The ashes of Cambodia's former king were scattered in the Mekong river on Tuesday, bringing to a close months of mourning for the revered monarch who died on October 15 last year. Reuters reports:

    Tens of thousands of Cambodians gathered on Monday to pay their last respects to former King Norodom Sihanouk, a quixotic and much-loved figure who reigned during the country's struggle for independence but was powerless to prevent decades of war.

    The current King Norodom Sihamoni and Sihanouk's widow, Queen Monineath, wept during the cremation as Cambodians poured into the capital to mourn the "king father," as Sihanouk is known.

    "This is the most sorrowful moment," said Pal Ho, 58, a villager from the western province of Pursat, who carried with her six pictures of Sihanouk. Read the full story.

    See more images from the past four months of mourning for King Sihanouk.

    Nicolas Asfouri / AFP - Getty Images

    Fireworks are lit at the crematorium to mark the beginning of the cremation of Norodom Sihanouk, near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Febr. 4, 2013.

    David Guttenfelder / AP

    Mourners cry and pray as the late king is cremated, in Phnom Penh on Feb. 4, 2013.

    Nicolas Asfouri / AFP - Getty Images

    Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (2nd right) and Queen Monique (3rd right) pay their last respects inside the crematorium minutes before the late king's cremation on Feb. 4, 2013.

    Wong Maye-E / AP

    A young boy walks past a puddle with a reflection of a portrait of King Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh on Feb. 4, 2013.

     

    Comment

    Show more
    Explore related topics: , , , , , ,

  • Thais celebrate long-serving king's 85th birthday

    Royal Household Bureau via EPA

    Thai people wearing yellow shirts flock to Royal Plaza ahead of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's public appearance during 85th birthday celebrations on the balcony of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 5.

    Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

    Thai people, wearing yellow, wave flags as tens of thousands come to pay respect to Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej as he makes a rare public appearance on the occasion of his his 85th birthday, Dec. 5, in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

    Thai people, wearing yellow, come to pay respect to Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej as he makes a rare public appearance on the occasion of his his 85th birthday, Dec. 5, in Bangkok, Thailand. 

    Kerek Wongsa / Reuters

    Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej leaves the Siriraj Hospital for the Anatasamakom Throne Hall in Bangkok, Dec. 5.

    Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters

    A volunteer carries a woman as she fainted before Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej arrived for a ceremony outside the Anatasamakom Throne Hall in Bangkok, Dec. 5.

    Hundreds of thousands lined the streets of Bangkok and crowded into the city's Royal Plaza to pay tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej on his 85th birthday. The world's longest-reigning monarch was hospitalized in September 2009 and has since taken up permanent residence at the Siriraj Hospital. He appeared on the ceremonial balcony before crowds wearing yellow clothing, the color associated with the monarchy and adopted by the country’s royalists. Last month, the monarch met with President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The queen was not present for the king’s speech, but his son and heir-apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, was at his side.

    Royal Household Bureau via EPA

    Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, center, sitting next to his family members, from left to right: Princess Soamsawali Mahidol, his older daughter Princess Ubol Ratana, Princess Siribhachudabhorn, youngest daughter Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, Princess Aditayadornkitikhun, Royal Consort Princess Srirasm, grandson Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, his son Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his daughter Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

    Athit Perawongmetha / Getty Images

    People hold up candles and sing a song honoring King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a ceremony celebrating the King's birthday on Dec. 5, in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

    Thai royal nurses hold candles during celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej 85th birthday, Dec. 5, in Bangkok, Thailand.

     

  • Cambodians mourn their former king

    Damir Sagolj / Reuters

    Mourners take pictures of a large portrait of the late former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk that was placed in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh Oct.16.

    Samrang Pring / Reuters

    Mourners gather to pay respects to the late former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh Oct. 16.

    Wong Maye-e / AP

    People mourn the death of former King Norodom Sihanouk at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Oct. 16.

    Cambodia’s former king, Norodom Sihanouk, who freed the country from colonialism before becoming a tragic pawn through decades of turmoil, died on Monday in a Beijing hospital at the age of 89.  Officials expect at least 100,000 people to line the route on Wednesday from the Phnom Penh airport to the Royal Palace where his body will lay in state during a week of official mourning. 

  • Krish / Malaysian Department of Information via EPA

    New Malaysian King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah holds a keris (a traditional Malay dagger) next to Queen Haminah Hamidun during his investiture ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 11, 2012.

    Malaysian sultan becomes king — for a second time

    Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has become the first person to hold the position of king twice under Malaysia's unique rotating monarchy, Agence France Presse reports. The 84-year-old, who is said to be a fan of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, was previously king in the 1970s.