Cambodia Crowns A King

Norodom Sihamoni descends from the throne room of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, following a ceremony marking the opening of a three-day celebration of his coronation, Oct. 28, 2004. Sihamoni, 51, a former ballet dancer, has lived abroad for most of the past 20 years and is relatively unknown to most of his compatriots.

Soldiers attach lights to portraits of former King Norodom Sihanouk, right, and Sihamoni, his son and successor, at the Ministry of Defense in Phnom Penh, Oct. 28, 2004. One of Asia's most colorful rulers, Sihanouk abdicated the throne three weeks earlier, citing ill health. A panel of political and religious leaders chose Sihamoni to succeed his father.

Sihamoni, back right, receives blessings from Buddhist monks in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 28, 2004.

Sihamoni greets royal family members during the opening ceremonies of his coronation in Phnom Penh, Oct. 28, 2004.

Sihamoni receives his sister, Princess Bopha Devi, at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 28, 2004.

Cambodian children push a symbolic boat to appease ancestral spirits onto the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, Oct. 28, 2004. Ninety-five percent of Cambodians are Theravada Buddhist.

Cambodians watch from the Royal Pavilion in Phnom Penh as fireworks explode across the Mekong River during coronation ceremonies for their new king, Oct. 28, 2004.

Sihanouk, back, and former Queen Monineath pour water on their son at a bathing ceremony that was part of coronation ceremonies at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 29, 2004.

Buddhist monks offer prayers for the new king following a bathing ceremony, Oct. 29, 2004, at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

Sihanouk waves to his son after a bathing ceremony in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 29, 2004. The former king was put on the throne by Cambodia's colonial ruler, France, in 1941 and led the country through wars, revolution and the building of a shaky democracy. He was a godlike figure for many Cambodians.

Sihamoni, top right, descends from the ceremonial chair after the bathing ceremony in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 29, 2004.

Cambodian royal courtiers line up for the procession to bring Sihamoni to the throne room for his official coronation ceremony, Oct. 29, 2004.

Cambodian royal courtiers line up for the procession to bring Sihamoni to the throne room for his official coronation ceremony, Oct. 29, 2004.

Sihamoni is carried to the throne room at the Royal Palace for his official coronation ceremony, Oct. 29, 2004.

Sihamoni is carried to the throne room at the Royal Palace for his official coronation ceremony in Phnom Penh, Oct. 29, 2004. The swearing-in was the pinnacle of the three-day celebration. Standing before golden statues of his ancestors, he repeated his oath to serve the country and its people three times while bowing before the golden-hued throne.

Sihanouk, front left, and Sihamoni, second left in front, walk in procession at the start of coronation ceremonies at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 29, 2004.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, chats with opposition leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, left, during a blessing ceremony at the Royal Palace, Oct. 29, 2004. Cambodia's king is seldom involved in day-to-day politics, but the position carries huge cultural significance for the Cambodian, or Khmer, people, and the king has some influence on government decisions.

Cambodian schoolchildren cheer as King Norodom Sihamoni's motorcade passes in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 30, 2004.

King Norodom Sihamoni greets his subjects as he leaves the Silver Palace at the royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 30, 2004.

The new king releases a single dove as a symbol of peace during ceremonies outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Oct. 30, 2004.