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| Cambodia begins funeral for King Sihanouk | Cambodia begins funeral for King Sihanouk |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Crowds have gathered in Phnom Penh for the start of funeral proceedings for King Norodom Sihanouk, who died in October. | Crowds have gathered in Phnom Penh for the start of funeral proceedings for King Norodom Sihanouk, who died in October. |
| A coffin carrying the embalmed body of the late monarch is being paraded through the streets of the capital. | |
| It will be taken to a crematorium, where his funeral pyre will be lit by his wife and son, King Norodom Sihamoni, on Monday. | It will be taken to a crematorium, where his funeral pyre will be lit by his wife and son, King Norodom Sihamoni, on Monday. |
| King Sihanouk died of a heart attack in Beijing at the age of 89. | King Sihanouk died of a heart attack in Beijing at the age of 89. |
| He remained an influential figure until death, despite abdicating in favour of his son in 2004. | He remained an influential figure until death, despite abdicating in favour of his son in 2004. |
| He became king in 1941 while still a teenager, and led Cambodia to independence from France in 1953. | He became king in 1941 while still a teenager, and led Cambodia to independence from France in 1953. |
| He was a presence through decades of political and social turmoil in Cambodia, despite long periods of exile overseas. | He was a presence through decades of political and social turmoil in Cambodia, despite long periods of exile overseas. |
| In later life he emerged as a peacemaker who helped bring stability back to his country, after an ill-fated choice to back the Khmer Rouge in its early years. | In later life he emerged as a peacemaker who helped bring stability back to his country, after an ill-fated choice to back the Khmer Rouge in its early years. |
| Mourners began lining the streets of Phnom Penh at dawn ahead of the parade. | Mourners began lining the streets of Phnom Penh at dawn ahead of the parade. |
| King Sihanouk's gold casket is being carried on a golden float, surrounded by officials wearing white, the colour of mourning. | King Sihanouk's gold casket is being carried on a golden float, surrounded by officials wearing white, the colour of mourning. |