The palace complex was established in 1866 at Samdach Sothearos Boulevard in Phnom Penh, near the confluence of the Tonle Sap river and the Mekong river.
The palace serves as the residence of the King of Cambodia (Norodom Sihamoni) and as a place for ceremonial events.
The individual buildings of the complex were constructed gradually over time.
The main buildings are the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda, the Khemarin Palace, and the Moonlight Pavilion.