Monarchy of Cambodia

Role

Cambodia's constitution, promulgated in 1993, stipulates the king's role as a mainly ceremonial one. It declares that the king "shall reign, but not govern" as well as being the "symbol of national unity and continuity".

The king performs important functions of state as required by the constitution. These include but are not limited to:

• Appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet.
• Convening over the opening of the two legislative bodies, the National Assembly of Cambodia and the Senate of Cambodia.
• Serving as the supreme commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
• Presiding over the Supreme Council of the National Defense.
• Meeting with the prime minister on a semi-monthly basis in which the king is briefed on matters of state.
• Signing the royal code/decree that gives effect to laws enacted by the legislature and proposals by the cabinet.
• Acting as "supreme arbiter" to enable the functioning of state institutions.
• Receiving credentials from ambassadors.
• Possessing the power of commutation and pardon.
• Presiding over the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.
• Appointing a fixed number of members to serve on state institutions such as the Senate and the Constitutional Council.
• Awarding of national honours.

The king also fulfils other roles not explicitly mentioned in the constitution in his capacity as head of state, for example, presiding over events of national significance including religious ceremonies and traditions integral to the Khmer nation, supporting humanitarian and philanthropic causes, and representing Cambodia abroad when undertaking official visits overseas. Although there have been female rulers in the past, the 1993 constitution currently forbids women from succeeding to the throne.