Norodom Sihanouk

The Amnesiacs are grateful to the Idler magazine for bringing to our attention the colourful history of former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.

In 'Holiday in Cambodia' (Idler 35), Julian Watson - an educationalist (and writer, evidently) based in Phnom Penh - provides some important context:

"The Prime Minister learned that King Norodom Sihanouk had abdicated in favour of his ballet-dancing son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, by reading a message on the king's own website [see Wikipedia link, above] telling his indifferent people that he found the responsibilities of being head of state too irksome."

He also points out that the newly enthroned King Sihamoni has spent the past thirty-five years living ("dancing") in Paris, but has "promised to come back for Royal Ploughing Day every year."