Royal Obituary: Prince Johan Friso Dies after 18 Months in Comatose

Prince Johan Friso and Princess Mabel. Image: Daily Telegraph

Prince Johan Friso, Queen Beatrix’s second son who has been under comatose for over 18 months, has passed away August 12. 

The Prince was born Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg on Sept. 25, 1968 to then Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus.

He finished his secondary education at Eerste Vrijzinnig Christelijk Lyceum in The Hague in 1986 before spending two years (1986-88) at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied mechanical engineering. He transferred to Delft University of Technology in 1988 where he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1994. He then moved to Erasmus University in Rotterdam, where he finished his master’s degree in economics. At that time, Prince Johan Friso was second in line to the throne, so in anticipation of a possible succession to the throne, he studied Dutch law and parliamentary history.

 Fresh from his post-graduate studies, Prince Johan Friso launched his career at the Amsterdam branch of the international management consultancy McKinsey. He later obtained an MBA degree at INSEAD and served as vice president for Goldman Sachs International in London from 1998 until 2003.

In 2004 he served as part-time co-president of TNO Space in Delft.

In 2006, he became one of the managing directors in the London office of Wolfensohn & Company, a private investment and advisory firm.

Prince Johan Friso cofounded the MRI Centre in Amsterdam. He is also a founding shareholder of Wizzair, one of the biggest low-cost airlines in Europe. Together with his younger brother Prince Constantijn, he sat honorary chairman of the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development. Before his accident in Austria, Prince Johan Friso served as chief financial officer for URENCO, a uranium enrichment company.

Prince Johan Friso lost his rights to inherit the throne, as well as his position as a member of the Royal House by virtue of the Act of Consent in 2004, after marrying Mabel Wisse Smit without the approval of Parliament.

According to Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, he had the opportunity to meet with Mabel Wisse Smit in October 2003 where she talked about the issue with her past relationship with Klaas Bruinsma (1953–1991), a known drug lord in the Netherlands. The Princess revealed that while she had a few months of contact with Bruinsma, however, their conversations casual and they never had an intimate relationship. In fact, she had severed her contact with Bruinsma after learning of his occupation.

This "breach of trust" was the reason why the government did not ask for Parliament’s support, respecting the wishes of the couple. The couple married anyway in Delft on April 24, 2004. Mabel Wisse Smit became a Princess and a member of the Dutch Royal Family, although she did not become an official member of the Dutch Royal House.

After their marriage, the couple settled on Kew in London.

Their marriage was blessed by two daughters: Countess Emma Luana Ninette Sophie of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (March 26, 2005 in London); and Countess Joanna Zaria Nicoline Milou of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (born June 18, 2006 in London).

On February 17, 2012, while on a holiday with his family in Lech, Austria, an avalanche occurred, which buried the prince while skiing off piste. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Innsbruck, where his condition was pronounced critical but stable. However, neurological tests revealed that he suffered massive brain damage after oxygen shortage. The prince was in a minimally conscious state and never regained full consciousness until his death a year and a half later, on August 12, 2013.

Find out more on Prince Friso’s death:

Dutch prince dies 18 months after he was buried by anavalanche while skiing [MailOnline]

Dutch 'sad but not shocked' over Prince Friso death [BBC]

The Royal House’s Official Website announces Prince JohanFriso’s death [Royal House's Official Website]

An Obituary on the Prince’s Death [Telegraph]

Check out some of the most memorable moments in Prince JohanFriso’s life captured well and clear [Getty Images] 

The Royal Blogger

Christian George Acevedo is a book worm, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

Royal History: The Empress Frederick - An Obituary

This is a condensed version of an obituary published by The New York Times on Aug. 6, 1901, on the death of the Dowager Empress Frederick of Germany. 

 A portrait by Winterhalter depicting Emperor Frederick III of Germany, King of Prussia
with his wife, Empress Frederick, and their children, Prince William
and Princess Charlotte. Wikimedia Commons

The life story of the elderly lady who died at Cronberg is calculated to dispel the illusion, if still entertained, that happiness is the portion of royalty. It is doubtful if many women of her time had a less satisfactory life than the Empress Frederick.

It is a long time ago that, as the first born of the reigning Queen, the Princess Royal occupied a unique place in the affections of the sentimental British people. And the marriage of the Queen's first-born to the heir presumptive to the throne of Prussia was the occasion of a better popular feeling as well as a "dynastic alliance."

So far as it is known, the marriage was a suitable one, but it could not have been quite happy for the reason that the princess was distinctly unpopular with the Prussian people and could not overcome the strong prejudice with which she was regarded, a prejudice which led to coldness and sometimes to insult when the opportunity offer. Her husband was so modern, moderate and civilized that he was suspected of Anglicizing the Prussian constitution. Doubtless, if he had succeeded to the throne in full health and strength, the development of Germany would have taken different lines and the inevitable transformation of it into a politically modern country would have been a peaceable evolution, instead of the explosive revolution by which it can be accomplished.


It is plain that the junkers and absolutists, with Bismarck at their head, attributed to the English ideas of his way, a suspicion which embittered the old Emperor William I's advisers' against her. Bismarck's influence to the young Emperor William II was strong enough and he was under Bismarck's tutelage, especially in the matter of the publication of Emperor Frederick's papers, ro betray the young man into what looked too much like acts of filial impiety against both his parents.

With the death of her husband and the succession of her son, the Dowager Empress was set aside and practically eliminated from the social and political life of the capital. That she loved the Germans no better than they loved her is quite probable and that she will be even kindly remembered or ever valued in German history as the capable, broad minded woman she undoubtedly was, is scarcely to be expected. She did not fit her envirionement, and her causes of unhappiness were many and unalterable. There is something touching and essentially human in her frequent repetition during her last illness of the words of her late husband: "Learn to suffer without complaining." And sufferer, indeed, she did.

The Royal Blogger

Christian George Acevedo is a book worm, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

Rest in Peace, Princess Fawzia Fuad of Egypt

Princess Fawzia Fuad of Egypt. Image: EuroNews

Egypt's former King Fuad II announced the death of his aunt, Princess Fawazia Fuad. She was 92. The princess, hailed for her exotic beauty and elegance, was the daughter of King Faruk I. In 1939, she married Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran. They divorced in 1938. In 1949, he married, for the second time, the Egyptian army officer Ismail Chirine.

Duke of Cambridge dead at 84

Prince George, Duke of Cambridge

March 17, 1904  - The last surviving grandson of King George III, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge passed away this morning in his residence, Gloucester House, London.

The New York Timesreports that the Duke, a few days shy of his 85th birthday, had been "confined to his house for weeks."

King Edward and Queen Alexandra had paid him regular visits, while his sons Admiral and Col. FitzGeorge were always at his bedside. Hearing the news of his death, the King and Queen went to Gloucester House to "offer their condolences" to the grieving family.

In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Balfour and Liberal Leader Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman delivered a eulogy, thanking the Duke for "his devotion to the service of his country," expressing the House's sympathy to the Royal Family.

The Duke was known for his staunchly conservative leanings on crucial issues during his days, but he remained a "popular figure." Not even his vocal opposition against modernizing and liberalizing the armed forces tarnished the respect "with which all ranks regarded their old Commander in Chief."

The death of the Duke puts the Court in mourning, although the King and Queen's trip to Ireland will not be postponed. However, flags on the buildings all throughout London have been already lowered to a half-mast.

The Duke's Fortune

A speculation on the Duke's fortune can reveal that he was a relatively wealthy man. Upon the death of his father and after inheriting the dukedom of Cambridge, Parliament granted him around $300,000 in annuity. As Commander-in-Chief, he received $22,500 until 1887. This figure increased to $33,160, and as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, he was paid $11,000 a year. Other appointments also paid him well.

Marriage and Mrs. FitzGeorge

In 1837, the Duke fell in love and married the actress Sarah Fairbrother, despite the opposition of his family. Since Queen Victoria refused to grant consent on this marriage, the bride took the name Mrs. FitzGeorge. Nevertheless, she remained respected by her friends, including many members of the Royal Family and the Court and their marriage was a very happy one. She even went to Crimea to nurse the wounded duke after the Battle of Inkerman. The marriage produced three sons, George, Adolphus and Augustus, who all bore the surname FitzGeorge.

Mrs. FitzGeorge's death in 1890 took a hard blow on the Duke. Queen Victoria finally took her resentment aside and sent a letter of condolence to her grieving cousin. Her Majesty's equerry was present at the funeral.

Life and Career

The Duke of Cambridge was born on March 26, 1819. His father was Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, while her mother was Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel. Her sister, Princess Augusta became the consort of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whose son was the last-reigning sovereign of the German grand duchy. Her youngest sister, Princess Mary Adelaide was the mother of the future Queen Mary, consort of King George V.

He was educated both in Hanover and England and at the age of 18, he joined the British Army. From 1838-1839, he was stationed in Gibraltar and later on in Ireland before he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Light Dragoons and as colonel of the 17th Lancers in 1842.

From 1843-45, he was colonel on the staff in the Ionian Islands. He was promoted Major-General in 1845.

On July 8, 1850, he succeeded his father as Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Tipperary and Baron Culloden.

In 1852, he served as Inspector of the Cavalry.

 In 1854, he saw active service in the Crimean War, where he commanded the 1st Division of the British Army. He was promoted lieutenant-general the same year and was present at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman, as well as at the siege of Sebastopol. However, he fell ill and was forced to retreat to Malta and return home before the end of the war.

On July 5, 1856, the Duke was promoted general commanding-in-chief of the British army, which was later renamed into field marshal commanding-in-chief in 1862. By Letters Patent, his post was renamed commander-in-chief of the forces in 1887, serving as chief military advisor to the Secretary of State for War. 

He was promoted general in 1856 and field marshal in 1862. He held the post until 1895.

The duke was criticized for his bitter opposition in reforming the army, calling the plans as merely "fads," using "considerably stronger language when he talked of the various suggested changes to his brother officers." He also earned the reputation for promoting officers based on social standing rather than merit. In 1890, a royal commission headed by Lord Hartington criticized the administration of the War Office and proposed that the powers of the commander-in-chief be transferred to a number of army officers. The Duke forcibly resigned on Nov. 1, 1895 and was succeeded by Lord Wolseley.

The Duke was highly regarded as being the most imposing member of the royal family. A tall, handsome man with "soldierly bearing," he had always commanded attention whenever present in public.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Duchess of Kent dies

Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent 

March 16, 1861 - Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent passed away shortly before 10 o'clock this morning. She was 75.

The Duchess was reported to have been suffering from cancer and during the week, her health had been steadily declining.

On Tuesday the Queen and the Prince Consort hastened to Frogmore to frail mother. Princess Alice followed on Thursday. Yesterday, 6 o'clock, a telegram has been sent to Buckingham Palace informing the Queen that her mother’s condition had worsened. The Queen, Prince Consort and Princess Alice immediately hurried to her mother’s side riding a special train to Windsor. The Duchess “passed an unfavorable night” until her death came earlier today.

The Queen and the Prince Consort were beside her. News of Her Royal Highness’ death reached Buckingham Palace past 10, after which Princess Helena and other members of the royal family left for Windsor. The Prince of Wales, who was at Cambridge, was immediately telegraphed. The Duchess’ brothers, the King of the Belgians and the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha were also informed of her passing.

The Duchess of Kent was born Victoria Mary Louisa on August 17, 1756.  She was the fourth daughter of Francis Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield. On December 21, 1803, she married Emich Charles, Prince of Leiningen, who died July 4, 1814. The marriage bore a son, Charles Frederick William, who succeeded his father as reigning Prince of Leiningen, and Princess Feodore, who married the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

On May 29, 1818, he married Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, fourth son of King George III, in Coburg. Their wedding ceremony was repeated at Kew on July 11. The following year, she gave birth to their only child, Alexandrina Victoria, who ascended to the British throne in 1837 as Queen Victoria. The Duke of Kent died in January 1820. 

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Princess Lilian of Sweden dies

Princess Lilian of Sweden

Hers was the classic love story of a fairy tale prince who wedded a commoner lady. But despite the earlier restrictions that hindered the then-Lilian Davies from marrying Prince Bertil, the Welsh-born model and socialite was eventually welcomed into the royal family with open arms. She has endeared herself with the Swedish people, so much that her passing shocked the kingdom that she so selflessly served for nearly 40 years. Frail in her 96^thyear, it seems that her people did not want her to go, for her passing also meant the passing of the remnant of a more genteel era, where life was simpler yet happier.

Princess Lilian was born Lillian May Davies on August 30, 1915 in Swansea, South Wales. She dropped one “l” from her first name after she started modeling . In 1940, she married Scottish actor Ivan Craig. During World War II she worked at a factory that manufactured radio. Later on, she served at a hospital for wounded soldiers.

In 1943, she met Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland, during a cocktail party for her 28^th birthday in London. By that time, she was already separated from her husband and after returning from the war, Craig told Lilian he wanted to marry another woman.

The Prince, born Feb. 28, 1912, was the third son King Gustav VI Adolf, then Crown Prince of Sweden, and Princess Margaret of Connaught, elder daughter of the Duke of Connaught, third son of Queen Victoria. Lilian was immediately smitten by the dashing prince and they eventually became lovers. In 1945, her divorced with Craig was granted.

In 1947, Bertil’s elder brother, Prince Gustav, had died, leaving a one-year old son in line of succession. Bertil’s elder brother Prince Sigvard had already given up his rights to throne after marrying a commoner in 1934. This left Bertil third-in -line to the throne, after his father the Crown Prince and his nephew the future Carl XVI Gustav, with high chances of becoming regent one day. Thus, it seemed that any hopes of marrying Lilian seemed out of sight. But Lilian held on with his love for the prince. They lived together discreetly  and their home in the French Riviera was where they shared their happiest moments together.

While Lilian was privately accepted by members of the royal family, in public she could never be.

Telegraph online writes:

“King Gustaf Adolph asked Prince Bertil not to marry Lilian until after his death. Ironically, her first public appearance at the Swedish court was for the 90th birthday celebrations of the King in 1972. But she was a well-known figure in international society, and she and Prince Bertil were frequently photographed at their villa in the South of France in magazines such as Point de Vue.”

It must have been emotionally blowing for both Lilian and Sigvard to stay in love with one another—and live together—without any blessings from the groom’s father, the government or the church. It went that way for more than three decades.

Washington Post recalls:

“The couple’s sacrifices and lifelong dedication to each other gripped the hearts of Swedes. Their story has been described as one of the most touching royal romances of our time.”

Princess Lilian paid a price for her loyalty, according to New York Times. That included “whispers early on about living in sin.” Perhaps, the only thing that she ever regretted was not started a family. “But now the queen’s children are like my children,” she told The Globe. “It makes up. Well, not quite.”

Yes, she believed in love that lasted forever. Such was her love for the prince that in 1995, she said:

“If I were to sum up my life, everything has been about my love.”

According to Washington Post:

“Despite the royal reluctance to recognize her officially, Lilian’s charm and warm personality won the Swedes over, and magazines depicted the happy couple playing golf and riding the prince’s motorbike.”

King Gustaf died in 1973. Times have already changed. Rules regarding dynastic marriage were relaxed. The new king himself married a commoner. Eventually, the couple was allowed to get married. The groom was 64, the bride 61 but age didn’t matter. True love did. On December 7, 1976, they exchanged vows at the Palace Church of Drottiningholm before the new king and queen. The gamely couple spent their honeymoon at their French villa.

The former Mrs. Craig became officially known as Princess Lilian of Sweden, Duchess of Halland.

“Thereafter Princess Lilian appeared as publicly at court as she had previously done privately. Also, every year from 1976 until 2005 she attended the Nobel Prize-giving ceremony, adorned in royal jewels and Sweden’s highest order of chivalry (the Seraphim). It was only at the age of 91 that she discontinued this tradition, deciding that she was too old.” - The Telegraph online

Prince Bertil passed away on January 5, 1997. Princess Lilian was right beside him. However, the dowager princess never buried herself in grief. In the next 10 years or so, she maintained a busy schedule of royal engagements while continually supporting her husband’s numerous causes.

In 2000, she published her memoirs. In 2005, her 90^thbirthday became a cause for celebration not only within the Royal Family Five but also the entire nation who can’t help but adore their grandmotherly princess. 

She remained active as ever and she even joined “a flamenco festival at the House of Dance and a smoking dinner at Nalen.” But she did not want to make a fuss out upon reaching a new milestone in her life. She made it known that in lieu of personal presents, donations be given to SOS Children’s Villages.

But what was her secret to her long life?

“I think that the work – and laughter – keeps me somewhat young in mind. I don’t do gymnastics or exercise. But I do feel the same wish to help as my husband did.”

The Telegraph reports:

“The Princess remained supremely elegant, liking to wear high heels and haute couture clothes. She loved practical jokes and was fortified by the love of Queen Silvia, to whom she was especially close, and the younger members of the Swedish royal family.”

White orchids invariably adorned the Villa Solbacken, where she lived under the care of a rota of three nurses.

Before her death, she was Sweden’s oldest royal, “entirely accepted by all generations of that family.” She had no children—or grandchildren—of her own, but everyone in the Royal Family and Sweden looked to her as that great old matriarch who saw them through hardships and abundance. 

Princess Margarita of Baden dies

Wheelchair-bound Princess Margarita of Baden (far right)
on one of the royal ceremonies she's attended.

Death came quietly to Princess Margarita of Baden, who passed away last January 15. She was approaching her 81st year. She was the widow of Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia, younger brother of the country’s last king Peter II. Born on July 14, 1932 at Salem, Germany, she was baptized Margarete Alice Thyra Viktoria Marie Louise Scholastica. Her father was Prince Berthold, Landgrave and head of the House of Baden. Her mother was Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, a sister of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.


In 1948, the Princess moved to London, where she worked as a nurse at St. Thomas’ Hospital. There, she was affectionately called Nurse von Baden. She met her husband, Prince Tomislav, who was living in exile in London and the two were married in a civil ceremony in Baden on June 5, 1957. The following day, their marriage was solemnized in the Orthodox and Lutheran ceremonies. Among the royalties present were King Simeon of Bulgaria, Prince Philip and his mother Princess Alice. The couple established their home in England, where they were blessed with two children: Prince Nikolas (born 1958) and Princess Katarina (born 1959). The couple divorced in 1981 and Prince Tomislav eventually remarried. He died in 2000.

Princess Margarita was a frequent guest on numerous royal occasions, including Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebration in 2000, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and her uncle Prince Philip’s 90th birthday celebration in 2011. She was also a familiar figure in the annual Christmas lunches hosted by The Queen.

Princess Margarita’s interest lies in Russian affairs. It was with great enthusiasm that she filled up the presidency of the Convent of Martha and Mary in Moscow, an institution established by her great-great aunt, Princess Elizabeth of Hesse, Grand Duchess of Russia. She even persuaded (with great success) her cousin, Prince Charles, to allocate half the proceeds of a concert intended for St. George’s Chapel for the convent. Way into the old age and wheelchair bound, the Princess was ceaseless in her dedication as patron of numerous charitable causes.

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk dies

King Norodom Sihanouk dies

King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia’s highly revered king and one of the most iconic figures in the world, passed away October 15. He was King of the formerly French-occupied kingdom from 1941 until 1955 and again from 1993 until his abdication in 2004, after which he was accorded the title Father-King of Cambodia. King Norodom Sihanouk is the son of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Sisowath Kossama.

Since his accession to the throne in 1941, he had held so many government posts that he was awarded by the Guinness World Record as the politician who held the most varieties of political offices. He was twice a king, twice a sovereign prince, once a president, twice as prime minister, and many more times a leader under various governments-in-exile, including holding the post as the puppet head of state during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, 1975-76. Most of the positions that he occupied were primarily honorific, including his last, as Cambodia’s constitutional monarch. He was the country’s effective ruler from the time the French granted the country’s independence in 1953 until he was deposed from the throne by General Lol Nol and the National Assembly in 1970.

The King died at a hospital in Beijing after suffering from a heart attack, although his health was already frail for several years, one reason why he abdicated in 2004.

According to BBC:

"His death was a great loss to Cambodia," said his assistant and relative Prince Sisowath Thomico. "King Sihanouk did not belong to his family, he belonged to Cambodia and to history."

His body is expected to be returned to Cambodia for an official funeral at the royal palace in Phnom Penh. King Sihamoni is flying to Beijing to accompany the late king home, a Cambodian government spokesman said.

A statement from China's foreign ministry hailed Sihanouk as a "great friend of the Chinese people".

The Daily Telegraph reports: 

The King “had suffered from a series of health problems recently, including cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

“Despite abdicating, the ex-monarch sometimes used his website to communicate with the outside world.”

King Norodom Sihanouk was born on Oct. 31, 1922. His father King Norodom Suramarit (1896-1960), was the son of Prince Norodom Sutharot. His mother, Queen Sisowath Kossamak (1904-1975) was the daughter of King Sissowath Monivong (1875-1941).

Early Years and Reign

Upon the death of King Monivong in 1941, Norodom was selected to succeed as king, bypassing his father. Educated at French schools in Saigon and in Paris, the Nazi-controlled Vichy government in France did this believing that the 18 year-old king could easily be swayed to the foreign side. However, after World War II, Sihanouk proved to be an able leader, launching an international campaign that sought the independence for Cambodia.

BBC writes:

"Despite being rebuffed by the US, whose policies towards Indo China Sihanouk was always scathing about, Cambodia won its freedom in 1953."

Cambodia eventually won over its independence without violence after almost 100 years of French rule. In 1955, he abdicated and handled the throne to his father, who reigned until his death in 1960. Sihanuk, meanwhile, served as the kingdom’s concurrent prime minister and foreign minister.

Political Turmoil

For the next 10 years, Sihanouk maintained Cambodia’s neutrality in international affairs. But at as the crisis in Vietnam worsened, Sihanouk became critical against the United States, accusing Washington-supported South Vietnamese troops of constant intrusions into the Cambodian borders. On the part of the Americans, Sihanouk was accused of supporting the Communist cause by letting North Vietnamese rebels to enter his kingdom.

In March 1970, while Sihanouk was on an overseas visit in the Soviet Union, General Lon Nol, then Cambodian Prime Minister, took over the government with American help. Sihanouk retreated to Beijing and in retaliation, secretly supported the Khmer Rouge guerrillas, who were emerging as a considerable fighting force.

BBC writes:

"When the Khmer Rouge moved into Phnom Penh in 1975, Sihanouk returned as head of state. He was criticised for acting as the chief apologist for the murderous Khmer Rouge regime and its leader Pol Pot."

However, Sihanouk’s action proved disastrous, even for his part. He became a virtual prisoner in his royal palace during much of Pol Pot’s regime. He said he was unaware of the Khmer Rouge's brutality, which included the killing of about one million Cambodians. Sihanouk’s family was also victim of the excesses of Khmer Rouge. In fact, five of his children, and at least 15 of his grandchildren all died in the hands of Pol Pot’s men. In early 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and Sihanouk fled into exile in China.

Until 1981, Sihanouk held his government-in-exile in China and North Korea, holding firmly to his ideals to expel the Vietnamese from his kingdom. He refused to break with the Khmer Rouge who still held much military power. In 1982, he moved completely into opposition against the Vietnam-sponsored government. He was elected President of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK), which was composed of his own party, Armée Nationale Sihanoukiste (ANS), Son Sann's Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF), and the Khmer Rouge. The Vietnamese withdrew in 1989, allowing the establishment of pro-Vietnamese government under ex-Khmer Rouge cadre Hun Sen to run the People's Republic of Kampuchea (PRK).

Restoration to Power

Peace negotiations, where Sihanouk emerged as the leading figure, between Norodom’s party and the PRK started afterwards and lasted until 1991, after all groups decided to have a comprehensive settlement which was signed in Paris.

Sihanouk was noted cajoling and joking throughout the discussions, although he was also praised for his making his point throughout the negotiations. In fact, his performance was judged by many to be a triumph of diplomacy.

In 1991, Sihanouk was appointed president and in 1993, he was crowned, for the second time, King of Cambodia, after much twists and turns in the country’s politics. He retained this position until his final abdication in October 2004 due to ill health. He was succeeded by his son, Norodom Sihamuni.

As his final, Sihanouk eventually turned his back on the Khmer Rouge, accusing them as murderers, “calling for their leaders to face trial and seeking to exclude them from any role in government” BBC writes.

In his later years, often absent from his country to undergo medical treatment for cancer and a series of mild strokes, Sihanouk was seen less and less by his people.

But to the end he maintained their loyalty and was a vital force for unity in a turbulent part of the world.

He once said it would take a Shakespeare to do literary justice to his reign. "But the tragic hero is not Sihanouk but the people of Cambodia," he said.

Personality and Private Life

The King had two legal wives, Princess Samdech Norleak, whom he married in 1955, and Paule Monique Izzi, whom he married in 1956. She was born on June 18, 1936. The current King, Norodom Sihamoni is the his elder son by Queen Monineath. 

BBC writes of the King Norodom’s personality as “unpredictable, ebullient, mercurial, autocratic, [and] self-indulgent.”  He was married six times and fathered at least 14 children. He loved to play saxophone, an outstanding song writer, a film maker of certain capacity, “a bon vivant who loved French cooking and wines.” This manifested the King’s eccentric side, which he never fear of letting others see.

He once quipped jokingly: "Cambodians are all naughty boys, and that includes me."

All in all, BBC sums the King Norodom Sihanouk’s life:

"Yet beneath all the joking and indulgence was a master politician and leader who frequently changed allegiances but always tried to preserve the unity of his country and prevent it being gobbled up by the big power."