Flags flew at half-mast and tearful Cambodians wore black ribbons on October 16 as the nation mourned the passing of revered ex-king and awaited the return of his body from China.

Cambodians prayed for the soul of their former King Norodom Sihanouk as the world leaders from around the world sent their condolences.

Sihanouk, once an absolute ruler who freed Cambodia from colonialism before becoming a tragic pawn through decades of turmoil, died on Monday in a Beijing hospital.