Millions of Cambodians paid their final respects to King Norodom Sihanouk during the royal cremation this week.
King Sihanouk died of a heart attack three months ago.
The late king was referred to by many Cambodians as “the King Father”.
The former King, Sihanouk died in Beijing at the age of 89.
After being flown back to Cambodia, his body remained in a casket so mourners could pay their respects.
A parade at the royal palace formally marked the beginning of the seven-day mourning period.
The king’s body was carried along a red carpet and transferred to a gilded float to start its tour of Phnom Penh.
At the same time, the military fired a dozen cannons, three at a time, shattering glass and scattering flocks of birds.
Three days later, organizers deployed the cannons again, along with fireworks, to officially commence the royal cremation. The king’s wife and son lit the funeral pyre.
Outside the cordoned-off area next to the palace, people of all ages wore the traditional mourning colours of black and white.
Farmer Tomlorb Boom came all the way from southern Takeo Province.
“I feel pleased coming back here and happy to be around the Royal Palace. This event was the greatest, nothing could compare. We citizens from the rural areas came to see our former king’s face. We want to see how the event was organised.”
The week-long goodbye to the former king marked a closing chapter in a story that has defined Cambodia.
During the colonial era, France installed the 18 year old Sihanouk on the throne, believing he would be a compliant monarch.
Instead he demanded an end to colonial rule, and Cambodia gained independence peacefully in 1953.
Independent analyst Lao Mong Hay says the fate of Cambodia was closely linked to that of the king.
“The relationship between the father king and his people was so close and so spontaneous, you see, on the part of the people. So during the 1950s and 60s he represented the Cambodian nation, the Khmer nation. He was its embodiment, you see. And this needs to be stressed, that in 1970, when General Lon Nol ousted him, he also ousted the nation.”
Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a directive requiring all citizens to participate in the week of mourning.
Television, radio stations and restaurants have since been playing songs Sihanouk wrote and sang. All localities were to sound a bell to mark the cremation.
Throughout the period of mourning, many businesses were closed, but Lay Heang made a profit selling beverages in front of the palace.
“For example, normally I make about 25 US dollars, but now I can make 50 US dollars.”
King Sihanouk was omnipresent through decades of political and social turmoil in Cambodia.
After the 1970 coup, Sihanouk was exiled to Beijing.
There, his ties with the Khmer Rouge helped them build up their strength, leading to the 1975 takeover of Cambodia and the following genocide.
Critics say that without Sihanouk’s fame, the Khmer Rouge would not have attracted so many followers and therefore amassed so much power.
But later in life, he emerged as a peacemaker who helped return stability to his country.
Sombo Manara is a history professor.
“King Sihanouk, he was not only the king, but he was a human being, he was one of the people and he get along with the people, as I said, he always had a good relationship with the people ... very strong and very friendly.”
Back at the cremation ceremony, 22-year-old monk Saroeun Man, felt that strong bond with the “King Father”.
“Today, I just came here to help and see the TV programs and offer my deepest condolences to Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.”
