As the people of Cambodia commemorate the death anniversary of their beloved King Norodom Sihanouk, we find ourself remembering with deep affection two of Southeast Asia’s most extraordinary monarchs — King Sihanouk of Cambodia and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

In our travels across our neighboring countries, we were privileged to have met these legendary figures — men of vision, intellect, and deep humanity. We also still recall the time we were graciously received by Cambodia’s current monarch, King Norodom Sihamoni, and the still radiant Queen Mother, Norodom Monineath, at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. The gentle and cultured King Sihamoni, son of the late King Sihanouk, is the brother of our dear friend, the late Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who once served as co-Prime Minister and later speaker of the Cambodian Parliament.

King Sihanouk was more than a monarch, he was Cambodia’s heart. He ascended the throne in 1941 at only 18, led his country through triumphs and turmoil, and, in between reigns, served as prime minister, president, foreign minister, and even ambassador to the United Nations. Under his leadership, from 1955 to 1970, Cambodia enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity when much of Asia was in upheaval.

In Thailand, we were equally honored to have met another towering figure of our time, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign spanned an astonishing 70 years, from 1946 to 2016. The Thai people revered him not merely as their king, but as their father.

King Bhumibol had the rare gift of listening to the voices of his people. He traveled tirelessly to distant villages, speaking with farmers, fishermen, and families, understanding their hardships and offering comfort. To see him was to witness humility wrapped in quiet dignity.

When we spoke with these two great monarchs, we sensed in both the artist and the statesman — men who loved their countries as poets love beauty, with tenderness and vision. Each possessed a deep well of creativity and intellect: King Sihanouk, the filmmaker, writer, and composer; King Bhumibol, the painter, musician, photographer, and author. To them, art was not apart from leadership, it was an expression of their humanity and a bridge to their people.

Both spoke of peace and friendship with quiet conviction. King Sihanouk fondly recalled his visit to Manila and the long bond between our nations, dating back to his grandfather, King Norodom I, who came to the Philippines in 1872. King Bhumibol, in turn, spoke of harmony and understanding among Southeast Asian neighbors, believing that the strength of our region lay in compassion and cooperation. They both believed that true peace among nations begins with friendship among peoples.

As we look back on those encounters — fleeting moments in the long sweep of history — we realize how fortunate we were to have met them both.

As Cambodia honors King Sihanouk, we also remember these two great monarchs whose lives illuminated our shared Southeast Asian journey. Two kings who showed us that peace, like friendship, must always begin in the human heart.