The Ministry of Royal Palace of Cambodia announced on 20/4 that King Norodom Sihamoni's surgery took place on 18/4 at a Beijing hospital. Doctors recommended the procedure. The King remains hospitalized for observation and will return to Cambodia upon full recovery.

A team of renowned medical experts in Beijing is treating the King, the Ministry of Royal Palace of Cambodia added.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni is recuperating after prostate cancer surgery in Beijing, China. Photo: Ministry of Royal Palace of Cambodia

On 10/4, King Sihamoni released a statement confirming doctors at the Beijing hospital diagnosed him with prostate cancer following an examination. He indicated he would remain there for treatment. Prime Minister Hun Manet, President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen, and President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary have all sent well wishes for the King's swift recovery.

Born in 1953, King Sihamoni is the son of former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Monineath. His name, Sihamoni, is a combination of the first two syllables of his parents' names.

King Sihamoni spent many years studying abroad, including film studies in North Korea in 1975. He served as Cambodia's ambassador to the United Nations in the early 1990s before relocating to Paris to become Cambodia's permanent representative to UNESCO.

He returned to Phnom Penh in 2004 to ascend the throne after his father, King Sihanouk, abdicated. King Sihanouk had also suffered from cancer and other illnesses, receiving treatment in Beijing.