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This “simple but frequently overlooked” point, his biographer milton osborne writes, had a significant influence on Sih- anouk’s later emotional volatility and hypersensitivity to criticism:
Whatever restraints the french were able to exercise over Siha- nouk during the early years of his reign, he was nevertheless the King of Cambodia and within the palace his word was law.

Word:

undeniably

Question:

Why did Sihanouk's position as King of Cambodia within the palace contribute to his later emotional volatility and hypersensitivity to criticism?

Answer (optional):

Sihanouk's position as King of Cambodia within the palace contributed to his later emotional volatility and hypersensitivity to criticism because within the palace, his word was law and he was highly respected and deferred to. Custom and practice may have qualified his theoretically absolutist position, but he was afforded huge deference and his whims were largely satisfied. His kingly status carried an assumption that he should not be gainsaid and that he would know what was best for his country in all matters great and small. This privilege and position far removed from any other person in the kingdom likely shaped his expectations and emotional reactions in later situations.