The Birthday of the King’s Mother in Cambodia This Month – Celebrating a “Family Day”

Cambodia celebrated the birthday of the King’s Mother, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, on the 18th of June. Born in 1936 in Saigon, she is also known as “Queen Monique” since her birthname is Paule Monique Izzi. As the wife of Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk, she was queen consort from 1952 to 1955 as well as from 1993 to 2004; after the king’s abdication in 2004, his son took over the monarchy which resulted in her becoming the nation’s Queen Mother.

This day, which is a public holiday, is traditionally considered a “family day”; it’s a great time to soak up some local culture be you staying in Phnom Penh or at a luxury hotel in Siem Reap including the likes of Anantara Angkor Resort. On this day, it’s common to see families at parks or malls and events or festivals for children, while some also head to Buddhist temples to pray for the Queen Mothers’ health.