King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan at his serene majesty’s residence. Picture by Royal Family Bhutan – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Facts About Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck


 

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth dragon king of Bhutan, was born on February 21, 1980, at the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Kathmandu. Jigme Khesar is the oldest child of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the fourth reigning monarch, and Tshering Yangdon, his third wife and queen consort. Jigme has a younger brother Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji, and sister, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom.

He also has four half-sisters and three half-brothers. Khesar succeeded his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck as king on December 9, 2006, when the latter abdicated the throne in his favor. A public coronation ceremony was conducted on November 6, 2008, the 100th anniversary of Bhutan’s monarchy. The following are top 10 facts about Bhutan’s fifth dragon king.

1.Jigme Khesar is the fifth in a line of hereditary rulers who have reigned in Bhutan for the last 100 years

On November 6, 2008, King Jigme Khesar was enthroned as the fifth ruler of Bhutan after his father King Jigme Singye abdicated in his favor. The hereditary monarchy of Bhutan was established in 1907 after 300 years of dual theocratic-civil administration.

2.Khesar is Nicknamed The People’s King

The King and Queen of Bhutan paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, in Delhi. Photo by Ministry of External Affairs (GODL-India) – Wikimedia Commons

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is adored by his people, in contrast to the neighboring country of Nepal where the king was abruptly overthrown in 2008. The king of Bhutan, a landlocked nation, is commonly referred to as the King of the Dragons, but Khesar has won over the population, giving him the moniker of “the People’s King,” like his father, who was renowned for his humanitarian endeavors and humility.

Additionally, he maintains extraordinarily cordial ties with Thailand, Singapore, Japan, India, and the UK. During his coronation address, Jigme Khesar Namgyel promised his compatriots that he would look out for them as a parent, look after them as a brother, and serve them as a son.

3.Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is One of the Youngest Monarchs in the World

Jigme Khesar became the youngest monarch in history when, at the age of 28, he succeeded to the throne of the kingdom of Bhutan after finishing his studies in India and the US. The Bhutanese monarch, despite being relatively young, wasn’t thrust into the throne without proper preparation.

Prior to his abdication in December 2006, his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who himself ascended to the throne at the age of 16, went to considerable lengths to make sure that his son was ready to succeed.

4.King Jigme Khesar Actively Contributes to the Welfare of His Country

Along with the military and the DeSuups, King Jigme responded to the fire that devastated the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong on June 24, 2014, and helped to save what could be salvaged. On June 11, 2018, His Majesty the King and a few officials were touring the Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag district when they joined farmers who were toiling in their paddy fields in the villages of Changkha, Gaetsho Gom, and Wangdue.

On another occasion, the adored Monarch cut and peeled onions to prepare food for children in a school in the Mongar neighbourhood. Many people were overcome with emotion by his kind gesture with the image of his admirable act being shared widely on social media.

5.King Jigme Introduced the Concept of Gross National Happiness

As a substitute for the Gross National Product as a gauge of progress, His Majesty the King developed the idea of Gross National Happiness because he believed that a nation’s ability to make its citizens happy was a more reliable sign of its richness. The idea places a higher priority on the people’s mental and spiritual health before material prosperity.

6.The King Began a Military-Style Training for Volunteers

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee receiving the Guard of Honour alongside the King of Bhutan. Photo by President’s Secretariat (GODL-India) – Wikimedia Commons

The  DeSuung training program, which was introduced in 2011, aims to give volunteers the skills they need to aid in times of need. More than 3000 young people volunteered for the initiative when it first commenced, and many more have since enrolled.

7.King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Celebrated His 33rd Birthday With Sick Children in a Hospital

Im celebrating his 33rd birthday, His Majesty the King of Bhutan made the decision to share his delight with the ill children in the pediatric ward of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, different from what one might expect any royal to do.

On February 21, 2013, the kids there received toys and gifts from His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen. The royals then met with the patients and their visiting family members at the Patient’s Guest House.

8.Jigme Khesar Has Been Given the Title of “Prince Charming”

The Minister of State of defence with the King of Bhutan in Thimpu. Photo by Ministry of defence (GODL India)- Wikimedia Commons

Jigme Khesar, known for his good looks, attracted a significant following of Thai women when he attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on June 12, 2006, in Bangkok.

9.King Khesar Namgyel and His Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Share an Unconventional Love Story

The King of Bhutan with his wife Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck in New Delhi. Picture by President’s Secretariat (GODL-India)- Wikimedia Commons

The romance between King Jigme and Jetsun Pema is more akin to a fairytale. At 17 years, young Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ran across Jetsun Pema, who was only 7 years old at a picnic with family. The young girl was so taken with the charming young man that she proposed to him. Unknown to her, the sweet proposal had won the young prince’s heart, and he made a commitment to marry her when they were both single and in love.

After taking over as the youngest reigning monarch in history following his father’s abdication in 2008 and 14 years had passed since their first meeting, three years later, King Khesar wed Jetsun Pema, then 21 years old, in a spectacular Buddhist ceremony in Punakha Dzong. The three-day celebration which is recognized as Bhutan’s largest media event to date, established Queen Jetsun as the youngest queen consort in history.

Despite the fact that polygamy is accepted in Bhutan and the king’s father had four wives, Khesar has made it clear that he won’t take another wife. The couple have two children; Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, born on 5 February 2016, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, born on 19 March 2020.

10.To Commemorate the Birth of His First Son, Jigme Khesar Planted 108,000 Trees in Bhutan

Upon the birth of first child, His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck on February 5, 2016, His Majesty the King chose to make it special by planting trees. Together with the people of Bhutan, the King planted 108,000 tree saplings throughout the country. Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, also congratulated the royal couple on Twitter.