| The country of Cambodia, familiar among tourists | | | | the royal family stating that it did not wish to |
| all over the world as having some of the world's | | | | burden the fragile economy. |
| most breathtaking religious architecture and | | | | The present king of Cambodia, is a direct |
| unspoiled countryside, is also home to South East | | | | descendent of the King Norrodom, who is |
| Asia's last remaining monarchies. Officially the | | | | considered to be the first modern Khmer king. He |
| country of Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy | | | | was instrumental in ensuring Cambodia's existence |
| with the King as its head of state. The monarch is | | | | during the 19th century. Sandwiched between the |
| vested with numerous powers under the present | | | | powerful kingdoms of Siam (Thailand) and |
| constitution such as appointing the prime minister. | | | | Vietnam; Cambodia was in grave danger of being |
| The present day king of Cambodia, Norodom | | | | over run; the king circumvented this by inviting |
| Sihamoni was appointed by a nine member throne | | | | the French colonial forces to make the country its |
| council in 2004 following the surprise abdication of | | | | protectorate. |
| his father Norodom Sihanouk. Prior to being | | | | The royal family was exiled during the Lon Nol |
| crowned, he was well known as a proponent of | | | | regime of the 1970's and as the communist |
| Cambodian culture in Europe, an instructor of | | | | insurgency with in the country grew as the |
| classical dance and as Cambodia's ambassador to | | | | decade progressed; the times seemed very bleak |
| UNESCO. | | | | for the monarchy. Despite those dark days of |
| Notable due to its absence during the king's | | | | violence and conflict, the country emerged from |
| coronation was the traditional gold and diamond | | | | the tatters and the monarchy was reinstated. |
| encrusted crown, which is said to symbolize | | | | Today the monarchy plays a largely ceremonial |
| Mount Meru- which is considered to be sacred to | | | | role, seen as a source of inspiration for the |
| Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The crown was | | | | masses of the country. Even today many sites |
| thought to be lost during the Lon Nol regime that | | | | with particular significance to the royal family can |
| overthrew the monarchy in the 1970's. The | | | | be seen close to many a Siem Reap hotel. |
| ceremony was an elegant yet simple affair, with | | | | |