Cambodian Princess who rebuilt ‘Apsara’ dance dies aged 76

Cambodian Princess Norodom Bopha Devi, a former culture minister who helped resurrect traditional Apsara dance from the ashes of the brutal Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s, died on Monday at the age of 76, premier Hun Sen said.

Daughter of late king Norodom Sihanouk and half sister of current monarch Norodom Sihamoni, Bopha Devi died from an illness in a Bangkok hospital, according to family.

In a condolence letter shared on the prime minister’s Facebook page, Hun Sen said her death marked “the greatest loss of a multi-skilled actor in the cultural sector”. He later declared November 20 a national day of mourning and for flags to fly at half-mast.