House of Norodom


The House of Norodom is the ruling royal house of Cambodia. Its members are direct descendants of King Norodom, a son of the "Great-King", Ang Duong. The current head of the House of Norodom is the current king of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni. Norodom is one of the two royal houses of Cambodia. Its counterpart, the House of Sisowath, is named after another son of Ang Duong, Sisowath. Four members have served as Kings of Cambodia, and three as Prime Ministers.

History

The Royal House of Norodom traces its origins to King Ang Duong, who reigned from 1848 until his death. During his reign, Cambodia was caught between the regional powers of Siam and Vietnam, both of which frequently interfered in Cambodian politics. Ang Duong, who had spent many years in the Siamese court, sought to strengthen Cambodia’s sovereignty by reviving Khmer culture, reforming administration, and cautiously reaching out to France for protection against its neighbors. Although he died before completing negotiations, his foreign policy laid the foundation for Cambodia’s later relationship with France.
Following Ang Duong’s death in 1860, his eldest son, Prince Norodom, was chosen as the new monarch. His enthronement formally established the House of Norodom as a distinct branch of the Cambodian royal family. In 1863, King Norodom signed a treaty with France, placing Cambodia under French protection while preserving the monarchy. This marked the beginning of nearly ninety years of French colonial influence, during which the throne alternated at times between the House of Norodom and the House of Sisowath, another branch descending from King Ang Duong.
The House of Norodom returned to prominence in 1941, when the French authorities selected Norodom Sihanouk, great-grandson of Norodom I, to become king. Sihanouk reigned during World War II and led Cambodia to independence from France in 1953, becoming the most prominent monarch of the dynasty. In 1955 he abdicated in favor of his father, Norodom Suramarit, and assumed the role of Head of State after Suramarit’s death in 1960. Sihanouk was deposed in 1970 following a coup d'etat by General Lon Nol, which abolished the monarchy and established the Khmer Republic.
During the Khmer Rouge regime, Sihanouk was briefly installed as head of state before being placed under house arrest. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, he continued to play a role in Cambodian politics from exile. In 1993, following United Nations–organized elections, the monarchy was restored as a constitutional institution and Sihanouk was reinstated as king. He reigned until his abdication in 2004, citing age and health concerns.
In October 2004, the Royal Council of the Throne elected Norodom Sihamoni, son of Norodom Sihanouk, as king. Sihamoni remains the current monarch of Cambodia, continuing the legacy of the House of Norodom into the 21st century.

Members