S ECOND Prime Minister Hun Sen tried to save Princess Lyda Sisowath by paying $10,000 for five months of hospital treatment in France, her younger sister Princess Sisowath Pongneary Monipong revealed.

But Hun Sen's generous gift was in vain and Princess Lyda died of uterus cancer on Oct 9.

During an interview with the Post, Princess Pongneary Monipong, known as Lolotte, spoke of Lyda's extraordinary life.

"She is a daughter of Prince Sisowath Monipong who is the youngest son of King Sisowath Monivong. King Sisowath Monivong is King Sihanouk's mother's brother.

"In the Lon Nol regime [1970-75] she worked in the passport office. She was coaxed to flee the country but she did not want to go.

"During the Pol Pot regime she was evacuated to Battambang, the most terrible province of all and where her husband was killed. Fortunately she could survive.

"At that time Pol Pot cadre realised that she was a princess but they did not harm her. This is because of [the angel] Devada's blessing" Princess Lolotte said.