The body of late Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, President of Supreme Privy Councilor to His Majesty the King of Cambodia and President of the FUNCINPEC Party, was cremated this morning at the crematorium in front of Botum Vattey Pagoda in Phnom Penh.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia and Her Majesty Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk presided over the cremation ceremony with the participation of top leaders including Senate President Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, and Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, as well as many other high-ranking officials and royal family members.
Foreign ambassadors accredited to Cambodia were also on hand.
The royal body was removed from his residence on Samdech Pan Street to the crematorium in a long procession early this morning.
Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh passed away in Paris on Nov. 28, 2021 at the age of 77 years old from illness.
The Royal Government in a recent directive announced to set Dec. 8, 2021 as an official mourning ceremony where all flags at public and private institutions must be flown at half mast. All entertaining programmes on both public and private TVs are also ordered to be postponed today.
Samdech Krom Preah was born on Jan. 2, 1944. He is the second son of the late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and a half-brother of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.
Samdech Krom Preah was the First Prime Minister of Cambodia between 1993 and 1997 and President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press