The Royal Funeral Ceremony for late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk kicked off with sadness and tearfulness of the Cambodian people, royal families and leaders.

The King-Father’s Body has been being moved from the Royal Palace to the cremation site at the open square of Veal Preah Merhu, in front of the National Museum, next to the Royal Palace in a 2,000-meter long procession that will march on 6,000 meters long. 

The funeral procession is composed of 11 sections and the royal coffin is in the 9th one. The procession will pass through Techo Yat’s and Techo Meas’ statues, Wat Phnom, Preah Sisowath High School, and the Independence Monument where 90 Buddhist monks will be waiting to chant and pray for the soul of King-Father at each stopover. 

On 22 October 2012, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations came to the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to pay his last respects to Late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.

The Secretary General was received by Ambassador Sea Kosal, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN.

H.E. Ban Ki-moon signed the Book of Condolences at the Permanent Mission and conveyed, on behalf of the United Nations, his deepest sympathies to the royal family, the Government and people of Cambodia over the demise of King-Father. He recalled the King-Father as “a unifying national leader revered by Cambodians and respected internationally.”

The King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk passed away at the age of ninety on 15 October 2012.

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Address by Deputy Prime Minister

and Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E Mr. HOR Namhong

To the 67th Session of United Nations General Assembly

New York, 29 September 2012

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