Who is Princess Norodom Pongsoriya, the beautiful Gen Z Cambodian royal beloved in China?
Recognised at home and in China for her beauty and brains, this young member of Cambodia’s much revered but low-key royal family is starting to make her mark
The Cambodian royal family has just released the graduation photos of Princess Norodom Pongsoriya, where she poses with her certificate from China’s University of International Business and Economics.
Complimentary comments have been posted on social media calling her one of the world’s most beautiful princesses, and praising her fashion sense.
Pongsoriya is the daughter of Moniren and Norodom Chakrapong, half-brother of Cambodia’s current king, Norodom Sihamoni, who is single and childless.
The 1997-born princess studied in Beijing, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international business and economics, where she received an award for being the most outstanding student on the international degree programmes among the 2020 graduates. Many Chinese netizens praised her online as the princess who’s blessed with both beauty and intellect.
Princess Pongsoriya has been relatively low profile compared to other royals, which is why little information could be found about her online until the royal family released photos of her.
Her pick of university became a talking point, given that few of the world’s royals send their children to study in China. Some have wondered whether this could have been a political decision aimed at strengthening Cambodia’s ties with China, rather than a mere educational choice.
Her grandmother, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the queen mother of Cambodia, has had close ties with China for decades. The 84-year old queen mother usually pays a visit every year to China and resides in Beijing for rehabilitation with King Sihamoni. In 2018, the royal family also received a visit from President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan at the Diaoyutai state guest house.