AKP Phnom Penh, June 18, 2025 -- 

Biography of Her Majesty the Queen-Mother

Born Paule Monique IZZI, on June 18, 1936, HM the Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath is the youngest daughter of Mr. Jean-François IZZI, Director of Crédit Foncier de Saigon (Vietnam) and Ms. Pomme Peang.

She marries His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh in April 1952. From their union were born two sons:

- HRH Prince Norodom Sihamoni, born on May 14, 1953 and elected King of Cambodia on October 14, 2004 by the Royal Council of the Throne,

- HRH Prince Norodom Narindrapong, born on September 18, 1954 and died in Paris on October 8, 2003 (posthumously elevated to the rank of Samdech).

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Before marrying His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, Miss Monique IZZI studies at Norodom Primary School, Sisowath High School and the Lycée René Descartes in Phnom Penh.

She is President of the Cambodian Red Cross in the 1960s until the Coup d'Etat of March 18, 1970. From 1970 to 1975, she lives in exile in Beijing (PR China) until the defeat of the Republic Khmer and the establishment of Democratic Kampuchea with Prince Sihanouk is the Head of State until April 1976.

Between late 1975 and January 1979, she lives under house arrest in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh with Prince Sihanouk and their two children, Princes Sihamoni and Narindrapong.

After the 1991 Paris Accords, which put an end to their second exile, Princess Monique returns to Cambodia in November 1991 with Prince Sihanouk. In 1992, she is elevated to the rank of Samdech Preah Cheyea.

In 1993, after the proclamation of the new Constitution, Cambodia becomes a kingdom and the throne is offered to Prince Sihanouk who becomes His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman, King of Cambodia. Princess Monique is then raised to the rank of Her Majesty Preah Mohesey and becomes Queen of Cambodia under the name of Norodom Monineath Sihanouk.

On January 2, 1996, the King elevates her to the rank of Samdech Preah Reach Akka Mohesey by Royal Decree.

In November 2004, after the accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the National Assembly of Cambodia awards her with the title of Samdech Preah Mohaksatrey Vorakreach Meada (Her Majesty the Queen-Mother).

In addition to Khmer, Her Majesty the Queen-Mother speaks French and English.

Photo: AKP, TVK, CRC, Royal Palace & Samdech Thipadei's Facebook Page