King with monks ahead of coronation

(28 Oct 2004)
1. Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodia's new king, with hands in prayer position bowing UPSOUND: music
2. Sihamoni walking down steps towards ceremony area
3. Close up of Sihamoni with hands in prayer position bowing; kneeling before table
4. Audience
5. Sihamoni placing incense on table, bowing
6. Cameramen
7. Sihamoni sitting on groun d with pillow and bowing with hands in prayer position
8. Close up of Sihamoni bowing; pan from hands to head
9. Security at ceremony
10. Sihamoni bowing to audience with hands in prayer position
11. Interior of hall with various golden items
12. Close up of Sihamoni UPSOUND: singing and chanting
13. Wide of interior ceremony UPSOUND: singing and music
STORYLINE
Cambodia began three days of celebrations on Thursday as its new king, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni, prepared to take over the throne.
Sihamoni, 51, was selected as new king by a nine-member throne council on October 14, a week after the previous king, his father Norodom Sihanouk, abdicated due to poor health.
Sihanouk, who turns 82 on Sunday, has been adored by his people for more than 60 years.
At the golden-coloured Royal Palace, Sihamoni lit incense, bowed three times to the floor and placed chains of jasmine flowers on a pillow during a religious ceremony seeking permission from ancient Brahman gods to be Cambodia's king.
Members of the royal family and Cambodian society kneeled on the floor during the ceremony.
The ceremony included musicians playing traditional Cambodian music on conch shells, pipes and drums.
Sihamoni's half brother, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, had also been considered a potential candidate to succeed Sihanouk.
But as leader of the royalist Funcinpec Party, a coalition partner in the government, declined so he could remain active in politics.
Cambodia's king is seldom involved in day-to-day politics, but the position carries huge cultural significance for the Cambodian, or Khmer, people.
Sihamoni, Sihanouk's son with former Queen Monineath, has no political experience and is better known for his ballet dancing.
Until recently, he served as Cambodia's ambassador to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, or UNESCO, in Paris.
Sihamoni reluctantly accepted the job as king, expressing concern that his inexperience might hamper his ability to carry out his duties.
Sihanouk has asked that preparations for the hand-over ceremony be low-key because he doesn't want to see the impoverished country lavish a lot of money on the event.
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