Royal Palace of Phnom Penh hosts Sihanouk ceremony on 15 October
Published on 09/27/2026 at 16:38 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh will host the Commemoration of King Norodom Sihanouk Day in Phnom Penh on 15 October 2026. The ceremony honours the former King Father on the anniversary of his death and places the working royal complex at the centre of Cambodia's national remembrance.
Royal Palace ceremony honours Sihanouk on 15 October
The commemoration is listed for Thursday, 15 October 2026, and a ceremony is scheduled at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. It remembers Norodom Sihanouk, who died in Beijing on 15 October 2012, aged 89, and recognises his role in Cambodia's modern history.
The event is also a public holiday in Cambodia. A 2026 event listing for the ceremony places it at the Royal Palace and describes its purpose as honouring the former monarch. A second calendar entry for King Father Commemoration Day likewise identifies the palace as a ceremony venue.
The Throne Hall connects the ceremony with palace history
The palace is not simply a historic façade but an active royal site. Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism says visitors can see the Throne Hall, where coronations and official ceremonies take place, while the Khemarin Palace remains in a protected section that is not open to the public.
The compound covers 183,135 square metres and includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, royal dining facilities, stupas, gardens and the Chan Chhaya Pavilion. These features give the 15 October ceremony a direct connection with the complex's continuing ceremonial function rather than treating the palace only as a museum.
The palace was built in 1866 after King Norodom moved the capital back to Phnom Penh. Its buildings combine Khmer royal design with later influences, while the site remains the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. The Ministry of Tourism description of the palace distinguishes the public visitor areas from the protected royal residence.
Why 15 October matters in Cambodia's royal calendar
Norodom Sihanouk first became king in 1941 and later returned to the throne in 1993. The annual commemoration therefore links a fixed date with both the former monarch's death and the institution that continues to house Cambodia's royal household.
For visitors, the significance is practical as well as historical. The scheduled ceremony may affect movement around a working royal complex, even though the available listings do not specify a public programme, viewing area or temporary closure. The event should therefore be treated as a national commemoration, not as a ticketed performance.
Visiting Royal Palace of Phnom Penh: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Commemoration of King Norodom Sihanouk Day is scheduled for 15 October 2026 at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
- The ceremony takes place at a working royal complex, and the available event listings do not state that visitors may enter the ceremony itself or provide a public viewing area.
- The palace is in Phnom Penh and the visitor complex includes the Throne Hall, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, gardens, stupas and the Chan Chhaya Pavilion. The protected Khemarin Palace is not open to the public.
- Shoulders and knees should be covered inside the royal and religious areas. Photography restrictions apply in parts of the complex, so instructions on site should be followed.
- Khmer is Cambodia's official language and the national currency is the Cambodian riel.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Royal Palace of Phnom Penh on social platforms
These links open searches for Royal Palace of Phnom Penh on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Royal Palace of Phnom Penh
When does the Sihanouk commemoration take place at the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh?
The Commemoration of King Norodom Sihanouk Day takes place on 15 October 2026. A ceremony is listed at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
What is the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh?
It is Cambodia's working royal complex and official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. Visitor areas include the Throne Hall and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Where is the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh and how do you get there?
The palace is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The complex is a central city landmark and the Ministry of Tourism identifies Phnom Penh as its location.
