Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Last updated

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
  • འཇིགས་མེད་གེ་སར་རྣམ་རྒྱལ་དབང་ཕྱུག་
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Enthronement of Naruhito.jpg
Wangchuck in 2019
Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan
Reign9 December 2006 – present
Coronation 6 November 2008
Predecessor Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Heir apparent Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck [1]
Prime Ministers
See list
Born (1980-02-21) 21 February 1980 (age 44)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Spouse
​
(m. 2011)​
Issue
House Wangchuck
Father Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Mother Tshering Yangdon
Religion Drukpa Kagyu
Signature Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck signature.svg
Education Wheaton College
Magdalen College, Oxford

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck [a] (born 21 February 1980) is King of Bhutan. His reign began in 2006 after his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne. A public coronation ceremony was held on 6 November 2008, a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

Contents

Early life and education

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was born on 21 February 1980 at Kathmandu (maternity Hospital). [3] He is the eldest son of the fourth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan, [4] Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his third wife, Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon. [5] He has a younger sister, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom, and brother, Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji, as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers. [6]

After completing his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphug High School, Khesar was educated in the United States at Phillips Academy in Andover and at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, where he finished high school. He then studied at Wheaton College in Massachusetts before completing the Diplomatic Studies Programme at Magdalen College, Oxford.[ citation needed ]

Crown Prince

The Crown Prince, popularly known to the people of Bhutan as 'Dasho Khesar', accompanied his father on his many tours throughout the kingdom to meet and speak to the people. He also officially represented Bhutan on several international events. On 8 May 2002, he represented Bhutan at the 27th UN General Assembly and made his first speech to the United Nations, addressing issues related to the welfare of millions of children around the world. [7] He attended Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary Celebrations on 12–13 June 2006 in Bangkok along with royals from 25 countries. [8]

On 25 June 2002 the Crown Prince was awarded the Red Scarf by his father. [9]

Trongsa Penlop

On 31 October 2004, Khesar was installed as the 16th Trongsa Penlop [10] in Trongsa Dzong. The institution of the Trongsa Penlop, started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647, signifies the true heritage to the Bhutanese Throne and the investiture ceremony of the Trongsa Penlop is the formal declaration of this status of the Crown Prince. [11]

Ascension to the throne

In December 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately. [12] On 9 December 2006, the former king issued a Royal Edict announcing his abdication, and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, [13] who was officially crowned on 6 November 2008, [14] [15] in Punakha. Religious ceremonies and public celebrations were also held at Tashichho Dzong and Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. The coronation ceremony comprised an ancient and colourful ritual, attended by few selected foreign friends of the royal family and dignitaries, including the then-President of India, Pratibha Patil. [16] [17]

To welcome Khesar as king of Bhutan, people painted street signs, hung festive banners and decorated traffic circles with fresh flowers. [18] [19] He received white, yellow, red, green, and blue silk scarves. [20]

Marriage

Royal wedding

As he opened the session of parliament on Friday, 20 May 2011, the king announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema, born in Thimphu on 4 June 1990. They were married on 13 October 2011 in Punakha Dzong. The wedding was Bhutan's largest media event ever. The ceremony, held in traditional style with the "Blessings of the Guardian Deities", [21] [22] [23] was held in Punakha, followed by a royal tour of the country. During the ceremony, the king also received the Phoenix Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen) from the most sacred Machhen Temple of the Dzong, and crowned Jetsun Pema, then formally proclaiming her as queen consort.

Children

The King and Queen announced the arrival of their son Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, who was born in Lingkana Palace in Thimphu, on 5 February 2016. [24] Their second son was born in Lingkana Palace in Thimphu on 19 March 2020. [25] [26] [27] [28] On 30 June 2020, the Royal Family announced that the second Gyalsey had been named Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck. [29] [30] On 9 September 2023, the King announced that the Queen had given birth to their third child and only daughter at the Lingkana Palace. [31] The baby's name, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck, was announced on 9 December 2023. [32]

As king

Democratisation

The young king began his reign overseeing the democratisation of Bhutan by presiding over the last sessions of the parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were debated. [33] He said that the responsibility of this generation of Bhutanese was to ensure the success of democracy. He traveled extensively to explain and discuss the Draft Constitution of Bhutan with the people and to encourage participation in the upcoming democratic exercises. He continues such visits, speaking mainly to young people on the need for Bhutanese to strive for higher standards in education, business, civil service, and the need for people of a small country to work harder than those of others. [34] [35]

On 17 February 2021, he signed the abolishment of anti-homosexuality laws into law, effectively decriminalising same-sex activity in the kingdom, after the repeal of such laws had been approved by both houses in 2020. Tashi Tsheten, of the LGBT organisation Queer Voices of Bhutan, welcomed the king's decision as a milestone and expressed gratitude to the king and every politician involved in making the decriminalisation possible. Additionally, Tea Braun of the organisation Human Dignity Trust said that Bhutan had made a "step forward" by legalising homosexual activity. [36]

Diplomacy

The king signed a new treaty of friendship with India in February 2007, replacing the treaty of 1949. [37] Many government initiatives were undertaken by the new king with a view to strengthen the system in preparation for democratic changes in 2008. The Constitution of Bhutan was adopted on 18 July 2008 after legislation dictated that the National Council and the National Assembly was to be elected democratically. [38]

Land reform

The king's first landmark project after his formal coronation was launching the National Cadastral Resurvey in March 2009, aimed at resolving long-standing issues of excess land that affect every Bhutanese household.[ citation needed ] A variation of land reform focuses on improving the lives of people living in remote and difficult areas, with the Rehabilitation Project. The pilot Rehabilitation Project at Khinadang in Pemagatshel was initiated in June 2011, [39] and inaugurated by Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck on 28 October 2014. [40] The Project resettled people living in less accessible areas to villages, and provided them with basic amenities and services, as well as support in agriculture. The project saw tremendous success, and similar projects are in the pipeline in other parts of Bhutan. [41]

Kidu

One of the most important and ongoing works of the king involves Kidu, a tradition based on the rule of a Dharma king whose sacred duty is to care for his people. The people can access Kidu in several ways: by applying to the Office of the Royal Chamberlain, which accepts applications during working hours; by sending applications through Dzongkhag Kidu Officers in every district, whose responsibility is to collect such applications as well as identify people who need help; and by appealing to the king directly. To give the people the opportunity for direct appeal, the king on his numerous road trips across the country stops for every potential appellant along the road. [42]

There are several Kidu schemes designed to help certain groups of people, such as students unable to afford even the free education available in the country, elderly citizens, and those requiring medical treatment. The king has also continued the tradition of giving state land to landless farmers around the country. The ongoing project takes him to remote villages and communities. [43] Kidu includes providing immediate assistance to victims of natural disasters. The king personally supervised the rebuilding efforts following major earthquakes and floods in 2009 and 2011. [44] [45]

In 2012, the king granted Nu.100 million from the Armed Forces to the Zhung Dratshang for the Dzong Reconstruction Fund, as on 24 June, the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong was destroyed by fire. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, he commanded the armed forces and De-Suups to the site immediately, and with help from dzongkhag officials and citizens, many things were saved from the fire. [46]

DeSuung Training Programme

The king initiated military-style training for volunteers known as the DeSuung Training Programme, DeSuung meaning "Guardians of Peace", [47] in 2011, on the request of the youth. The programme aims to equip volunteers with the skill to provide assistance during emergencies, and has been hugely successful, with more than 3000 volunteers having completed their training and volunteering for public events and emergencies. [48] Graduates of the program are known as DeSuups and wear orange jumpsuits. They live by the DeSuung Honour Code, which is to "keep service to their nation before their own safety and comfort". [47]

Gyalsuung National Service

In December 2019, during the 112th National Day, the king announced the initiation of a one-year national service for all eighteen-year-olds, starting in 2024. [49] The training includes four months of military-style training and a nine-month educational course on agriculture, entrepreneurship, computers, coding, and health sciences. [50] The first batch will start training in September 2024 for four months, and from second batch it will be a year-long training, with 4 months of military training.

Amnesty

The Constitution of Bhutan empowers the king to grant amnesty to prisoners. In 2014 he pardoned 45 prisoners who had been imprisoned for possessing an excessive amount of tobacco, following an amendment of the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010 by the Parliament of Bhutan, since the amended law could not be enforced retroactively, and previous offenders who would not be liable now would still be tried under previous laws. The Royal Pardon was granted to those who were not repeat offenders and had good prison records. [51]

Public perception and popularity abroad

The "People's king", like his father, enjoys warm relations with India. [52] He has visited India on several occasions, and was invited as the Chief Guest for India's 64th Republic Day celebrations in 2013. [53]

Following his 2006 visit to Thailand as crown prince, the king has been popular in Thailand. The number of Thai tourists visiting Bhutan increased from 100 in 2006 to 700 in 2007. [54]

In November 2011, the King and Queen Jetsun Pema made a state visit to Japan; they were the first state guests to Japan since the 2011 earthquake. It was reported that the Japanese were fascinated by the king and queen of Bhutan. [55] [56] [57]

In March 2015, the King and Queen were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral of Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. [58]

Also, the King and Queen attended the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in October 2017 and the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in October 2019.

The King and Queen were also present at the 2023 coronation of King Charles III.

Honorary degrees

King Jigme has been conferred the following honorary degrees:

Foreign honours

Ancestry

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Dzongkha: འཇིགས་མེད་གེ་སར་རྣམ་རྒྱལ་དབང་ཕྱུག་, Wylie: jigs med ge sar rnam rgyal dbang phyug; [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Singye Wangchuck</span> Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006

Jigme Singye Wangchuck is a member of the House of Wangchuck who was the king of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changlimithang Stadium</span> Football stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan

Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the national stadium of Bhutan. It is predominantly used for football matches and is the home of the Bhutan national football team, other national selections and a number of Thimphu-based football clubs. The stadium also regularly plays host to women's football, archery tournaments, minifootball and some volleyball matches. The stadium was initially constructed in 1974 for the coronation of the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, but was completely refurbished in 2007 in advance of the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Floodlights were added to the football pitch in 2009 and an evergreen turf laid in 2012, to coincide with the start of the first season of the National League. Located 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level, the stadium is one of the highest in the world. It has raised numerous controversies in footballing circles, as its significant altitude affects the absorption of oxygen in the human body, offering considerable advantage to the home teams who are more accustomed to such conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonam Dechen Wangchuck (born 1981)</span> Bhutanese royal

Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck is a princess of Bhutan. She is the daughter of the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. She is half-sister of the fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tshering Yangdon</span> Queen consort of Bhutan

Tshering Yangdon is the third wife of the former Bhutanese king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. She is the current Queen Mother of Bhutan, as she is the mother of the current Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She is also the mother of King Jigme Khesar's two younger full siblings, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom and Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji.

Princess AshiKesang Choden Wangchuck, is a member of the royal family of Bhutan. She is a daughter of the fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, one of the former king's four wives, all of whom are sisters and held the title 'queen consort'. She is a half-sister of the current Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who became king following the abdication of his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck on 9 December 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorji Wangmo</span> Queen consort of Bhutan

Dorji Wangmo is the Queen Mother of Bhutan, and first wife of former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is married to four sisters all of whom were entitled to be called queen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King of Bhutan</span> Head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan

The King of Bhutan, officially the Druk Gyalpo, is the constitutional monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is known as Drukyul which translates as "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". Thus, while kings of Bhutan are known as Druk Gyalpo, the Bhutanese people call themselves the Drukpa, meaning "people of Druk (Bhutan)".

Wangchuk or Wangchuck is a given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhutan–Thailand relations</span> Bilateral relations

The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Kingdom of Thailand were established in 1989. Thailand is one of the only 54 nations with formal diplomatic relations with Bhutan.

Prince GyaltshabJigme Dorji Wangchuck is the third eldest Prince of Bhutan. His brother Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck became the king following the abdication of his father on 14 December 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Namgyal (Bhutan)</span> Bhutanese ruler; Founder of the Wangchuck dynasty

Desi Jigme Namgyal of Bhutan is a forefather of the Wangchuck Dynasty. He served as 51st Druk Desi of Bhutan (1870–1873), and held the hereditary post of 10th Penlop of Trongsa. He was called the Black Ruler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema</span> 2011 Bhutanese royal wedding

The wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, and Jetsun Pema took place on 13 October 2011 at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan. The current King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, married Jetsun Pema, who became Queen Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. Both are descendants of the 48th Druk Desi of Bhutan and 10th Penlop of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jetsun Pema</span> Queen of Bhutan since 2011

Jetsun Pema is the Druk Gyaltsuen of Bhutan, as the wife of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She is currently the youngest queen consort in the world. She and the King have three children: Jigme Namgyel, the heir apparent to the Bhutanese throne, Jigme Ugyen, and Sonam Yangden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhutan–Japan relations</span> Bilateral relations

The Bhutan–Japan relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Japan. Diplomatic relations were established on March 28, 1986.

Lingkana Palace is the residence of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan. The palace grounds are adjacent to the Tashichho Dzong in the capital city of Thimphu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck</span> Dragon Prince of Bhutan

Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck is the first child and heir apparent of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and his wife, Queen Jetsun Pema. He has been the Crown Prince of Bhutan since his birth in 2016. His name was announced on 16 April 2016. Prior to the announcement, he was known only as The Gyalsey, which means "prince". Before his birth, his paternal uncle Prince Jigyel Ugyen of Bhutan was the heir presumptive to the throne. In honor of his birth, 108,000 trees were planted by thousands of volunteers in Bhutan. In 2017, in honor of his first birthday, a new damselfly species was named after the crown prince, Megalestes gyalsey. He is expected to become the sixth Druk Gyalpo. He has a younger brother, Prince Dasho Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, and a younger sister, Princess Ashi Sonam Yangden Wangchuck. He is the youngest Crown Prince in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotay Tshering</span> 8th Prime Minister of Bhutan

Lotay Tshering is a Bhutanese politician and surgeon who was the prime minister of Bhutan, in office from 7 November 2018 to 1 November 2023. He has also been the president of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa since 14 May 2018.

Princess Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuck is a princess of Bhutan. She is the daughter of the fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and his wife, Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck. She is half-sister of the fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Events during the year 2020 in Bhutan.

Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck is the second child of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and his wife, Queen Jetsun Pema. He is the second line to the throne after his brother Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck. On 17 December 2019, it was reported that the king and queen were expecting their second child, to be born in spring 2020. On 19 March 2020, the king and queen's official Instagram accounts reported that she had given birth to her second son in Lingkana Palace in Thimphu. On 30 June 2020, the Royal Family announced that the second baby had been named Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, and would be known as His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck.

References

  1. ↑ "Rspnbhutan". Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "A Legacy of Two Kings". Bhutan Department of Information Technology. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  3. ↑ "I have emotional tie with Nepal as I was born in there : Bhutan King Jigme Khesar". www.southasiatime.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "WANGCHUCK DYNASTY. 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan. Lham Dorji". Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "Genealogy". Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  6. ↑ Lawson, Alistair (4 November 2008). "Profile: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "Crown Prince addresses the United Nations". Kuensel. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "Crown Prince in Thailand". Kuensel. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "Crown Prince receives Red Scarf". Kuensel. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016.
  10. ↑ Wangchuk, Rinzin (17 December 2016). "The significance of observing National Day in Trongsa". Kuensel . Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  11. ↑ Wangdi, Dorji. "A Historical Background of the Chhoetse Penlop" (PDF). Centre for Bhutan Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bhutan king announces abdication". BBC. 18 December 2005. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  13. ↑ "Bhutanese king steps down early". BBC. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  14. ↑ His Majesty, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Archived 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine , bhutanakingdomofhappiness.com; Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  15. ↑ 'Prince charming' is now King of Bhutan (Profile, To go with: celebrations in Bhutan as new king is crowned – Lead) Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine , thaindian.com; accessed 21 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Lavish coronation for Bhutan king". BBC. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  17. ↑ "Coronation fever in Bhutan as people's king bonds with subjects". 18 November 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  18. ↑ "Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowns new king". CNN. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  19. ↑ "Bhutan has a new crown prince, PM Modi congratulates Royal couple". 6 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Vanity Fair". Vanity Fair . 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "Royal wedding: Bhutan king weds Jetsun Pema". NDTV. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "Bhutan's 'Prince Charming' king marries student bride" . The Daily Telegraph. UK. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2011. Bhutan's 31-year-old king has married a student 10 years his junior in an isolated valley high in the Himalayas where thousands of nomads and villagers gathered to celebrate
  23. ↑ Plowright, Adam (20 May 2011). "Bhutan's 31-year-old king to marry". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  24. ↑ "Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema gives birth to crown prince". BBC. 6 February 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar on Instagram: "❀ Announcement ❀ We are honoured to announce the birth of the second Royal Child of Their Majesties The King and Queen, a Prince, on the…"". Instagram. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  26. ↑ "Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema on Instagram: "❀ Announcement ❀ We are honoured to announce the birth of the second Royal Child of Their Majesties The King and Queen, a Prince, on the…"". Instagram. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  27. ↑ "The king and queen of Bhutan announced the birth of their second child". North East Today. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  28. ↑ Canada, HELLO!. "Bhutan royals King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pemawelcome second baby boy". ca.hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  29. ↑ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar on Instagram: "On the auspicious occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche (Trelda Tsechu), His Royal Highness the Second Gyalsey to His Majesty…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  30. ↑ Foussianes, Chloe (1 July 2020). "Bhutan's King and Queen Reveal the New Royal Baby's Name". Town & Country. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  31. ↑ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar on Instagram: "Announcement 9th September 2023: We are honoured to share the wonderful news that a healthy baby girl has been born to Their Majesties…"". Instagram. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  32. ↑ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar on Instagram: "December 2023: Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem has been named Sonam Yangden Wangchuck."". Instagram. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "Last National Assembly session begins". Bhutan Observer . 19 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  34. ↑ "His Majesty to attend mock election in Dungkhar". Kuensel . 22 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  35. ↑ "His Majesty speaks on Bhutan's future". kuenselonline.com. 11 April 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  36. ↑ "King's assent leads Himalayan nation of Bhutan to become latest country to decriminalise same-sex activity". Human Dignity Trust. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  37. ↑ "Bhutan and India sign new treaty". BBC News. 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  38. ↑ "Border to be Sealed Ahead of Bhutan Polls". The Hindu News online. 27 December 2007. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  39. ↑ "Farmers Build Village Called Khinadang=Bhutan Observer". 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  40. ↑ Nlcs
  41. ↑ "Rehab Village for Indigent Inaugurated=Kuensel". 29 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  42. ↑ "A Mobile Royal Court". Kuenselonline.com. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  43. ↑ "Taking kidu to the people". Bhutan Times. 28 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  44. ↑ "His Majesty visits flood-affected areas". Kuenselonline.com. 30 May 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  45. ↑ "His Majesty visits Narang". Kuenselonline.com. 22 October 2009.
  46. ↑ "Official Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  47. 1 2 "DeSuung: A Vision in Realization". Kuensel. 4 April 2020.
  48. ↑ "125 volunteers take part in the De-Suung training programme". BBS. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  49. ↑ "The historic new year gift- Gyalsung – our constitutional duty". Kuensel . 28 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  50. ↑ Denkar, Tshering (19 December 2019). "Historical 112th National Day". Daily Bhutan. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  51. ↑ "His Majesty grants pardon to 45 prisoners convicted under TCA". 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  52. ↑ "As China-India feud ebbs, tiny Bhutan reexamines its place in the world". The Washington Post. 28 August 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017.
  53. ↑ "Republic Day: Bhutan King chief guest at 26th Jan parade". The Economic Times. 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  54. ↑ "Bhutanese take up Thai language course". BBS. 2 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  55. ↑ "Bhutan royals' visit to Japan boosts interest in travel to their country". Japan Today. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  56. ↑ Denyer, Simon (5 November 2008). "Bhutan's charming king emerges from father's shadow". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  57. ↑ "Coronation fever in Bhutan as people's king bonds with subjects". Hello Magazine. 8 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  58. ↑ "Bhutan Queen's Facebook post on national flag at half-mast on Sunday to mark Mr Lee Kuan Yew's funeral". The Straits Times . 30 March 2015. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  59. ↑ King of Bhutan official site
  60. ↑ "The 2nd Annual Report of the Honorable Prime Minister to the Fifth session of the First Parliament on the State of the Nation" (PDF). Government of Bhutan . 1 July 2010. p. 90. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2021. His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga [...] presented the insignia of the Order of Queen Salote III
  61. ↑ "ประกาศสํานักนายกรัฐมนตรี" [Announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister](PDF) (in Thai). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Born: 21 February 1980
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Bhutan
2006–present		Incumbent
Heir apparent:
Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.