THE KING AND HIS CHILDREN

K ing Norodom Sihanouk (above) and Queen Monineath must be used to being feted

everywhere they go, but even they might well have been a bit taken by surprise

by one elderly lady (right), as they were leaving a signing celebration at Phnom

Penh port on March 3. The King had just finished pushing a button starting a

pile driver on the banks of the Tonle Sap - launching a $30 million

Japanese-funded renovation of Phnom Penh port. The Royal couple were in their

car by the port gates about to drive off when the woman, grasping a big portrait

of the King as a young man, darted out into the middle of the road and in front

of the car. If not overwhelmed by the occasion, the old lady was certainly

quickly overwhelmed by the Royal's ever-present Korean bodyguards. Witnesses say

that the Queen, seeing the woman being hustled and bustled back into the crowd,

got out of the car and ran over to her, made sure she was fine, then waved as

she left. The photo at right was taken immediately after the incident. She

appeared happy enough, as can been seen, as she resumed her vigil.