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| Cambodians mourn over the death of Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 16, 2012. Throngs of Cambodians on Tuesday laid roses and lotus flowers in front of the capital's Royal Palace to mourn Norodom Sihanouk who died of natural causes Monday at the age of 90. (Xinhua/Sovannara) |
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Throngs of Cambodian sympathizers have Tuesday laid roses and lotus flowers in front of the capital's Royal Palace to pray for King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died of natural causes Monday at the age of 90.
Among the mourners, a 32-year-old garment employee Chhuon Chenda sobbed, shouting that "I Love My King."
She said that the King-Father was the most revered monarch, who led the country to full independence and built numerous achievements for the nation in all domains.
"If my life could be changed for his death, I would do," she said, adding that even in her Smartphone, she kept dozens of the King-Father's photographs.
Former King Norodom Sihanouk died early Monday due to natural causes at the age of 90 in China's Beijing Hospital, according to a Cambodian government statement.
He suffered from various forms of cancer, diabetes and hypertension and had been treated by Chinese doctors in Beijing for years.
Sihanouk reigned Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication on Oct. 7, 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni.
"I am extremely sorry to hear that His Majesty Sihanouk died. I come here to pray for His Majesty to rest in peace," a 71-year-old woman Leang Hong said while she laid flowers in front of the Royal Palace. "In his life time, His Majesty had devoted his life to national defense and development."
"He was the father of independence; he brought full independence for Cambodia in 1953," said a 30-year-old mourner Pang Sophea.
Sihanouk's body is set to arrive in Phnom Penh from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon.
The government announced Monday that the official mourning period for the King-Father will be held for a week from Oct. 17 to 23.
During the period, all entertainment will be prohibited.
The King-Father's body will be exhibited at least 3 months at the Royal Palace before being cremated.
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