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Agence France-Presse in Phnom Penh

Cambodians lined the streets of Phnom Penh on Friday as the remains of former king Norodom Sihanouk were transported through the capital on top of a golden float shaped like a mythological bird for his enshrinement.
Thousands of people in mourning dress turned out to bid a final farewell to the revered ex-monarch, who died of a heart attack in Beijing in October 2012 aged 89.
After chanting by 90 Buddhist monks and a 101-gun salute, two diamond-studded gold urns and one marble urn containing the remains were borne through the capital in an elaborate procession.

Members of the royal family, dressed in white, rode in a car shaped like a three-headed dragon.
In line with Sihanouk’s wishes, the urns will be placed in a stupa in the Silver Pagoda inside the royal palace on Saturday alongside the remains of his favourite daughter Kantha Bopha who died aged three.
The charismatic former monarch steered his country through turbulent decades of war, the murderous Khmer Rouge regime and finally peace.
Many elderly Cambodians credit him with overseeing a rare period of political stability in the 1950s and 1960s, following independence, until the brutal Khmer Rouge emerged in the 1970s.

“I pray for his soul and power to help look after us forever. He was a very good king for all of us,” said Chab Sean, 63.
Sihanouk’s embalmed body lay in state in Cambodia for three months before his cremation in February last year following a week of lavish ceremonies.
Some of his remains were lowered into the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers in the capital.
More than 20,000 people, including government officials, attended Friday’s procession, according to Phnom Penh City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche.
On Thursday, thousands of saffron-robed monks had offered prayers outside the palace to mark the start of the three days of ceremonies.

 


Lavish Phnom Penh procession to enshrine former Cambodian king Sihanouk

Cambodian officials carry urns containing ashes of former King Norodom Sihanouk during a parade in Phnom Penh on Friday. Photo: EPA

Queen Mother Norodom Monineath (right), wife of Cambodia's late King Norodom Sihanouk, and her son, current King Norodom Sihamoni, attend the parade. Photo: Xinhua

Thousands attended the procession to enshrine the remains the former monarch, who died of in Beijing in 2012. Photo: Xinhua

A 101-gun salute is fired on the riverside in front of the Royal Palace. Photo: Xinhua

Cambodia’s ex-king Norodom Sihanouk dies in Beijing

Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Monineath in 2003. Photo: AFP

A younger Norodom Sihanouk. Photo: AP

Cambodia's former king, Norodom Sihanouk, in January. Photo: AFP

Cambodia mourns beloved ex-king Sihanouk

Cambodian people pray for the late former King Norodom Sihanouk in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

The flawed legacy of Norodom Sihanouk

Norodom Sihanouk would have left a proud legacy had he been allowed a free hand. Photo: AP

Huge crowds mourn Cambodia’s beloved former king

A chariot carrying the casket of Cambodia's late former King Norodom Sihanouk leads the funeral procession in Phnom Penh. Photo: AP

Mourners gather in front of the Royal Palace and pay their respects to the late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk ahead of his funeral. Photo: AP

Thousands of mourners line a street near Independence Monument during the Royal Funeral ceremonies in Phnom Penh, on Friday. Photo: EPA

Mourners accompany a gilded chariot carrying the body of former King Sihanouk in a funeral procession on Friday. Photo: AP 

Cambodia's Queen Mother Sihanouk and King Sihamoni greet people after the coffin carrying the remains of late former King Sihanouk is taken from the Royal Palace towards the crematorium in Phnom Penh. Photo: Reuters

Man in traditional costume takes part the funeral procession. Photo: Reuters

Rapid succession for Sihanouk's son

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Asia

More than 2,000 Cambodians lined the route of a lavish procession in Phnom Penh carrying the remains of ex-king Norodom Sihanouk for his enshrinement in the Royal Palace


Cambodians lined the streets of Phnom Penh on Friday as the remains of former king Norodom Sihanouk were transported through the capital on top of a golden float shaped like a mythological bird for his enshrinement.
