Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

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Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
འཇིགས་མེད་གེ་སར་རྣམ་ རྒྱལ་དབང་ཕྱུག
5th King of Bhutan
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (edit).jpg
King of Bhutan
Reign 9 December 2006 – present
Coronation 1 November 2008
Predecessor Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Heir presumptive Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck
Prime Ministers
Born (1980-02-21) 21 February 1980 (age 44)
Thimphu, Bhutan
Spouse Jetsun Pema (m. 2011)
House House of Wangchuck
Father Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Mother Tshering Yangdon
Religion Buddhism
Template:Royal Family of Bhutan

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (Dzongkha: འཇིགས་མེད་གེ་སར་རྣམ་རྒྱལ་དབང་ཕྱུག་,[1] born 21 February 1980) is the fifth and current reigning Druk Gyalpo or "Dragon King" of the Kingdom of Bhutan.[2] After his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne in his favour, he became King on 9 December 2006. A public coronation ceremony was held on 1 November 2008, an auspicious year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.[3]

Early life

Khesar is the eldest son of the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his third wife, Queen Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister, Princess Dechen Yangzom, and brother, Prince Jigme Dorji, as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers.[4]

After completing his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphug High School, Bhutan, Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy, Cushing Academy and Wheaton College, all in the United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and International Relations.[5]

Crown prince

The Crown Prince, popularly known to the people of Bhutan as 'Dasho Khesar', accompanied his father in 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 where he addressed issues related to the welfare of millions of children around the globe to world leaders.[6] He attended Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary Celebrations on 12–13 June 2006 in Bangkok along with royals from 25 countries.[7] The youngest of the visiting royals, the 26-year-old prince caused a sensation, giving rise to a legion of female fans in Thailand. The Thai press dubbed him "Prince Charming," publishing his photograph and running stories about him as well as Bhutan for several weeks after the event.

Trongsa Penlop

On 31 October 2004, Khesar was installed as the Trongsa Penlop [8] 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.[9]

Accession 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.[10] On 9 December 2006, the former King issued a Royal Edict announcing his abdication, and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck[11] who was officially crowned on 1 November 2008,[12][13] in Punakha. Religious ceremonies and public celebrations were also held at Tashichhodzong and Changlimithang in Thimphu. The coronation ceremony comprised an ancient and colourful ritual, attended by thousands of foreign dignitaries, including the then President of India, Pratibha Patil.[14][15]

CNN reported that, to welcome Khesar as King of Bhutan, people painted street signs, hung festive banners and decorated traffic circles with fresh flowers.[16]

Engagement and royal wedding

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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 royal wedding was Bhutan's largest media event in history. The royal wedding ceremony was held in Punakha followed by formal visits to different parts of the country. During the ceremony the King also received the Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen (Queen) from the most sacred Machhen temple of the Dzong and bestowed it on Jetsun Pema, formally proclaiming her as Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The wedding was held in traditional style with the "blessings of the guardian deities".[17][18][19]

On November 11, 2015, it was announced that the King and Queen of Bhutan are expecting their first child, a son, early next year.[20][21]

As King

Democratization

The young king began his reign overseeing the democratization of his country by presiding over the last sessions of the parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were deliberated.[22] He stated 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 the youth of Bhutan on the need for Bhutanese to strive for greater standards in education, business, civil service and the need for people of a small country to work harder than those of others.[23][24]

Diplomacy

The King signed a new treaty of friendship with India in February 2007, replacing the treaty of 1949.[25] Many government initiatives were undertaken by the new King with a view to strengthen the system in preparation for the democratic changes in 2008. The Constitution of Bhutan was adopted on 18 July 2008, by the first elected parliament.

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 land issues of excess land that affects every Bhutanese household.[26] 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 2011,[27] and inaugurated by Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in October 2014. The Project resettled people living in the more inaccessible areas of the country to the village, 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.[28]

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 all 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.[29]

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, those requiring medical treatments. The King has also continued the tradition of giving state land to landless farmers around the country. The ongoing project takes the King to remote villages and communities.[30] An aspect of 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.[31][32]

In 2012, Nu.100 million from the Armed Forces was granted by the king to the Zhung Dratshang for the Dzong Reconstruction Fund, as on the 24th of June, the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong was destroyed by fire. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the King 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. The King himself rushed to the scene within hours.[33]

DeSuung Training Programme

The King initiated a military-style training for volunteers known as the DeSuung Training Programme in 2011, on the request of the youth. The programme is aimed to equip volunteers with the skill to provide assistance during emergencies, and has been hugely successful, with over 1,000 volunteers having completed their training, and volunteering for numerous public events and emergencies.[34]

Education

The King has stressed the importance of education in almost all his public addresses, and makes it a point to visit schools at every opportunity. In line with this, he grants scholarships to students from different parts of the country. The recipients of His Majesty’s Scholarship Kidu go to various colleges and schools in Bhutan, India, Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, Japan and Europe. Several scholarships, like the Trongsa Penlop Scholarship, have been offered by universities abroad to His Majesty as a gesture of goodwill, and appreciation of, His Majesty The King.[35]

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 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 who had good prison records.[36] The prisoners still had to pay a fine as the tobacco law had changed.[citation needed]

Public perception and popularity abroad

The King, like his father, enjoys exceptionally warm relations with India. He has visited India on several occasions, and was invited as the Chief Guest for India's 64th Republic Day celebrations in 2013.[37]

Following his 2006 visit to Thailand as Crown Prince, the King has been immensely popular in Thailand. The number of Thai tourists visiting Bhutan has increased steadily since the visit.[38]

In November 2011, the King with Queen Jetsun made a state visit to Japan; they were the first state guests to Japan since the 2011 earthquake. The Royal Visit had a similar effect, with reports that the Japanese were infatuated with the King and country.[39][40][41]

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. This resulted in many Singaporeans expressing admiration and appreciation to the King and Queen.[42]

Styles

Styles of
King of Bhutan
Emblem of Bhutan.svg
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Druk Gyalpo
  • 1980–2004: His Royal Highness Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
  • 2004–2006: His Royal Highness Chhoetse Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
  • 2006–present:

Honours

National orders

Foreign orders

Honours

Patronages

  • Patron, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Patron, India Bhutan Foundation
  • Patron, Bhutan Scouts Association
  • Patron, European Convention of Bhutan Societies
  • Patron, Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies
  • President, Bhutan India Friendship Association

Ancestry

Family of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16. Ugyen Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. Jigme Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17. Tsundue Lhamo Kurto Khoma Chukmo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. Jamyang Chumed Zhalgno, of the Tamzhing Choji family
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Phuntsho Choden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19. Decho Dorji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Jigme Singye Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20. Raja Ugyen Dorji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. Raja Sonam Tobgye Dorji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Kesang Choden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22. Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal of Sikkim
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11. Rani Mayum Chonying Wangmo Dorji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. Yeshay Dolma
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24. Nob Gyeltshen, of Gaselo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. Kuenga Gyeltshen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25. Phenkhem, of Haa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. Yab Ugyen Dorji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13. Ngodrup Pem
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Tshering Yangdon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28. Soenam Drubyel, 4th Sersang Lang
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. Gyeltshen Dorji, 5th Sersang Lang
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29. Sangay Droelma
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. Yum Thuiji Zam
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30. Yonten Phuntsho
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15. Abi Yum Yangchen Droelma
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See also

References

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  12. His Majesty, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, bhutanakingdomofhappiness.com; Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  13. ‘Prince charming’ is now King of Bhutan (Profile, To go with: celebrations in Bhutan as new king is crowned – Lead), thaindian.com; accessed 21 April 2015.
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  42. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bhutan-queens-facebook-post-on-national-flag-at-half-mast-on-sunday-to-mark-mr-lee-kuan
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 Royal Ark, Bhutanese Orders
  44. Royal Ark, Bhutanese genealogy details - p.4
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External links

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Born: 21 February 1980
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Bhutan
2006–present
Incumbent
Heir presumptive:
Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck