PHNOM PENH: Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Hun Manet, and his wife, Pech Chanmony have paid their last respects to the late Prince Norodom Ranariddh at his residence on Samdech Pan Street in Boeung Reang Sangkat, Daun Penh District, Phnom Penh on Tuesday afternoon.

A procession will be conducted in the capital on Wednesday early morning transporting the body of Prince Ranariddh from the Royal Palace to the Wat Botum Vatey where his remains will be cremated.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh died at the age of 77 in France on the morning of 28 November.He was born on 2 January 1944, the second son of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and his wife, Phat Kanoul. He was the first Prime Minister from 1993 to 1997 and was the President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.

In gratitude and to pay tribute to the late prince, the Royal Government of Cambodia has designated 8 December 2021 as a day of national mourning, requiring all ministries, institutions, schools, hospitals, public, private and all civil servants of the Armed Forces.

All kinds of pagodas, as well as people all over the country, have to raise their flag in half-mast. At the same time, all national and private radio and television stations must suspend entertaining programs and performances in order to pay their respects to the prince.