Did you know a piece of Jackie Kennedy’s history is preserved in a hotel bar? Travel back to 1967 Phnom Penh and discover the remarkable story behind her lipstick-stained glass and the famous Femme Fatale cocktail. It’s more than just a drink; it’s a whisper from the past. What forgotten historical treasures intrigue you most?
In 1967, four years after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy embarked on a significant journey to Cambodia, a trip that cemented her role as a figure of global interest and informal diplomacy. Her arrival in the capital, Phnom Penh, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of a generation-defining war, made her stay at the venerable Hotel Le Royal, then the city’s most prestigious address, an event of historical note. This elegant establishment, opened in 1929 and inaugurated by King Sisowath Monivong, truly lived up to its regal name, providing a sanctuary of sophistication for the former first lady.
The hotel’s legacy intertwines deeply with Kennedy’s visit, most notably through the creation of a special cocktail in her honor: the “Femme Fatale.” Conceived by the hotel’s expert bartender, this concoction of cognac, Champagne, and crème de fraise, gracefully garnished with a frangipani flower, is served in a delicate long-stemmed coupe glass. Its fizzy elegance makes it a perfect refreshment, offering a sophisticated respite from Phnom Penh’s hot, humid climate, and adding a unique touch to the narrative of Raffles Le Royale.
A remarkable piece of Phnom Penh history emerged decades later, further solidifying the connection between Jackie Kennedy and the hotel. Following Cambodia’s brutal civil war, much of the hotel’s exquisite finery was stored away, untouched. When the Raffles group acquired the property in 1996, a diligent worker during renovations purportedly discovered the very glass Kennedy used to drink her “Femme Fatale,” distinguished by a subtle lipstick mark on its rim. This rescued artifact now holds a place of honor, displayed alongside photographs of her trip in a vitrine outside the hotel’s famed Elephant Bar, offering a tangible link to her presence.
Beyond the bar, the hotel’s dedication to preserving Jackie Kennedy’s memory extends to a specially designated Kennedy suite. Here, a thoughtful portrait of the former first lady presides over pristine white linens and cool tile floors, creating an atmosphere of reflective admiration. Adding to this curated tribute is a vintage copy of Life magazine, sourced by Raffles on eBay, specifically the issue covering Kennedy’s Cambodian tourism trip, thoughtfully opened to the relevant pages on a hallway table, inviting guests to delve into the past.
Historian Elizabeth J. Natalle, author of “Jacqueline Kennedy and the Architecture of First Lady Diplomacy,” characterizes this period as Kennedy’s “transitional period” – her post-White House, pre-remarriage years. Accompanied by British aristocrat David Ormsby-Gore, Kennedy visited the majestic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO-listed complex in northern Cambodia. Natalle suggests Kennedy may have been grappling with undiagnosed PTSD after witnessing her husband’s assassination, yet she bravely agreed to ride in an open-top car convoy, a poignant gesture of goodwill towards her host, Prince Sihanouk, despite her anxieties.
This journey exemplified the profound impact of First Lady Diplomacy and “soft power,” as Natalle explains. First ladies, though not official government members, possess a unique credibility that transcends traditional diplomatic roles. Their visits, like Kennedy’s, can act as a crucial “antidote to military policy and official government diplomacy,” fostering understanding and goodwill through cultural exchange and personal connection, especially in politically sensitive regions like Southeast Asia during that era.
While her visit to a country bordering war-torn Vietnam might have been perceived as a political statement, Kennedy consistently asserted her purpose was purely to explore historical and architectural sites like Angkor Wat. Known for her passion for history, art, and architecture, this trip mirrored similar “transitional era” visits she made to countries such as Greece and Spain, underscoring her commitment to cultural engagement rather than direct political intervention.
The Hotel Le Royal, now known as Raffles Le Royale, has witnessed numerous historical shifts. Situated near the Ton Le Sap River and Royal Palace, it was renamed the Solidarity Hotel after the Khmer Rouge years, hosting international journalists and aid workers. Its reacquisition by the Raffles group in the 1990s marked its return to prominence. Over the decades, it has continued to attract global figures, including Angelina Jolie, Charlie Chaplin, and Charles DeGaulle, further cementing its place in Hotel History.
The hotel’s enduring significance in Phnom Penh history was reaffirmed in 2012 when President Barack Obama chose it as a stop on his diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, photographed on a Raffles couch, emblematic of its continuous role as a meeting point for international leaders and a silent witness to monumental events. The Raffles Le Royale truly stands as a living museum, preserving stories of the past while continuing to shape the present.
