• Copyright© Christopher Buyers
    1960 – [1975] H.M. Queen SamdachBrhat Maha Kshatriyani Brhat Sri Svasti Munivarman Kusumaksha Niariratna Sri Vadhana, Queen of Cambodia. b. at Phnom Penh, 9th April 1904, eldest daughter of H.M. King Sisowath Monivong, by his wife, H.M. Queen Kanvimarna Naralakshmi Devi, educ. Norodom Girl’s Sch Phnom Penh and privately. Advanced to the dignity of Samdach Brhat Raja Thida Kusumana Niarirakshmi Kshatriyi Trung Laksana Akhara Thida Rajavuraja Varman Paramabangsa Pradipada Niariratna Vivadhana Maha Kshatriyi (=the most lovely princess, endowed with all the virtues, the first daughter of the King of the highest lineage, the most loved and greatest of princesses, and the best lady) by her father in 1928, and prom to Samdach Brhat Vararajini Dhananinadha Kusumaksha Rajadeviby her son on 2nd May 1951. Crowned with her husband at the Preah Tineang Tevea Vinicchay, Khemerin Palace, Phnom Penh, 5th March 1955, with the title of Queen Samdach Brhat Maha Kshatriyani BrhatSri Svasti Munivarman Kusumaksha Niariratna Sri Vadhana. Proclaimed as the symbol, incarnation and representative of the dynasty, after the death of her husband, 20th June 1960. Granted official precedence before her son, 18th August 1960. Deprived of her position, style and titles, as a consequence of the proclamation of the Khmer Republic, 9th October 1970. Placed under house arrest by the Lon Nol regime, March-May 1973. Allowed to go into exile in China, 3rd November 1973. Presdt of Honour Cambodian Red Cross Soc 1957-1970. Rcvd: the Collar of the Orders of the White Lion of Czechoslovakia (18.1.1963), and Solomon of Ethiopia (4.5.1968), GC of the Orders of the Legion of Honour of France, and the Million Elephants & White Parasol of Laos with collar (18.4.1963), the Orders of Temasak 1st class of Singapore (9.4.1963), the Grand Star of Yugoslavia (17.1.1968), the Star of the Republic of Indonesia 1st class or Adipurna (1.4.1968), etc. m. (first) at the Khemerin Palace, Phnom Penh, 1920, as his first wife, H.M. Brhat Pada Samdach Brhat Naradhama Suriya Amaridha VisudhaMaha Khattiya Varman Visidha Haribangsa Gunadhiraksha Dharma Achariyadhama Parama Pavitra Brhat Chau Brhat Raja Angachakra Kampuchea [Norodom Suramarit], King of Cambodia (b. at Phnom Penh, 1896; m. second, H.H. Princess Maduratna [Duong Mathuret]. m. third, Khun Devi Kanha Subiya [Khun Tep Kanha Sophea] Yeap, and d. at the Chakdomuk Hall, Khemerin Palace, Phnom Penh, 3rd April 1960) – see above, only son of H.R.H. Prince (Samdach Brhat Raj Ayaku) Naradhama Sudharatta, Prince (Samdach Krum Brhat) Varachakra Ranariddha, sometime Presdt. Royal Family Council, by his first wife and half sister, H.R.H. Princess (Samdach Brhat Ayaki Khatani Kalyani Raj ) Bhagavati Bangaragama, daughter of H.M. King Norodom I – see above. She d. at Peking, China, 27th April 1975, having had issue, an only son: