Meet Bhutan’s Royal Family

There were once many kingdoms in the Himalaya – Mustang, Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh and others. But, over the past century the royal families of each of these have, for one reason or another, lost their power and the nations they led have either been incorporated into part of a larger country (namely India) or they have become republics. All but one that is. Today, Bhutan stands alone as the last surviving, independent royal kingdom.

It’s unlikely that the Bhutanese royal family will go the way of royal families elsewhere in the Himalaya any time soon for the simple reason that the majority of Bhutanese love their royal family. In fact, love might not be a strong enough word. As becomes quickly clear to anyone who visits Bhutan the immense majority truly idolise the royal family to a level that many outsiders – even ones who are monarchists themselves – find baffling.

Posters depicting members of the royal family, and the young Crown prince, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck (born: February 2016) can be seen everywhere in Bhutan. In public buildings, on billboards and, most tellingly, in pride of place on private mantle pieces across the country.

If you’re hoping to understand anything of contemporary Bhutanese culture then it’s vital to know something about Bhutan’s Royal Family and why they are held in such high adoration. But before we meet Bhutan’s Royal Family let’s start with a little history.

A little background into Bhutan’s Royal Family

While Bhutan might have been inhabited for at least 4000 years, historians know very little about ancient Bhutanese history. For the majority of this time the place we think of as Bhutan today didn’t really exist. Instead, each valley tended to be run as its own separate entity ruled by a local chieftain or king.  It wasn’t until 1616 that all these valleys were consolidated into something resembling the state of Bhutan today.

This was achieved by a Tibetan lama named Ngawana Namgyal. He codified a comprehensive system of law and established himself as ruler over the land and the country was run as a theocracy. When Namgyal died, the fledgling nation descended into civil war. The turmoil continued for the best part of two hundred years until, in 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck consolidated power and started to unite the country.

In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary ruler of Bhutan and became the head of state (Druk Gyalpo or Dragon King). A Royal Family was born, and the Wangchuck dynasty continue to rule Bhutan today.

Meet Bhutan’s Royal Family

Since Ugyen Wangchuck became the first king of a unified Bhutan there have been four other kings. Here we give you a little background into each.

Ugyen Wangchuck (reign: 1907-1926

In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck became the first king of a unified Bhutan. He ruled for 19 years until his death in 1926. His legacy was to unit Bhutan and bring peace to the country, which prior to his work had long been fragmentised by endless internal conflicts. He modernised the country’s administration and laid the framework for a centralised government and introduced reforms to improve infrastructure and administration. Importantly, he set in place the idea of preserving Bhutanese culture and identity whilst looking to modernise the country.

Jigme Wangchuck (reign: 1926-1952)

The second king of Bhutan, Jigme Wangchuck inherited the throne at the age of 21. He concentrated on continuing the slow and careful modernisation of the country whilst keeping an eye on maintaining Bhutanese tradition. He fostered close ties with the government of British India and, later, an independent India. But, at the same time he was careful to ensure that Bhutan preserved its sovereignty, and he kept the country fairly isolated from the rest of the world.

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (reign: 1952-1972)

Another young king, Jigme Dorji took over the throne at the age of 23 after the death of his father. He spent part of his school life in England which may have helped to shape his views. He is known for starting the process of ending Bhutan’s international isolation and setting the country on the path to democracy.

He established a modern judicial system, a council of ministers and a National Assembly. Perhaps more importantly for the general population he also ended feudalism, redistributed land and introduced the first five-year economic plan. Today he is regarded as one of the most far-sighted of Bhutan’s kings.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck (reign: 1972-2006)

Singye was the youngest of all the Wangchuck’s to take the crown as he became king at the tender age of just seventeen. This also made him the youngest king in the world at that time. As a child he was educated in India and England, but he also went on many extensive tours of Bhutan with his father.

He put a lot of effort into improving education and health facilities across the country and improving agricultural industries. He also put great emphasis on environmental preservation and he established many of Bhutan’s protected areas.

Among the Bhutanese he is particularly remembered for two things. The first was when he personally lead a successful military operation in 2003 to expel Indian militants who had established themselves in Bhutan. The second took place in 2006 when he abdicated in favour of his son, the current king, and kick started the transition from constitutional monarchy to democratic government.

Internationally though he is best known for introducing the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which focuses on holistic development rather than just economic growth.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (reign: 2006 - present)

Born in 1980 and educated in the USA and England, the current king was coronated in 2008, which was also the centenary of the Bhutanese monarchy. In his first speech as king, he pledged to continue the move towards democracy that his father had begun and to continue to develop the nation in a manner that respected the environment, culture and traditions of Bhutan. He has since put a lot of focus on improving the lives of Bhutanese in remoter parts of the country and on sustainable economic development. He has also launched initiatives that encourage citizens to get involved in nation building.

In 2011 he married Jetsun Pema. During the wedding ceremony he bestowed the Crown of Druk Gyaltsuen onto her which made her the first official Queen in Bhutan. In 2016 she gave birth to the couples first child, a boy and future king, named Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck.

Jetsun Pema

No run-down of Bhutanese royalty would be complete without talk of Jetsun Pema. Just twenty-one years old when she married the current king and something of an unknown to most Bhutanese, she quickly the won the population over through her relaxed and personable style.

She has put great importance on championing social causes but has also become something of a style icon both in Bhutan and beyond. No wonder then that she is sometimes compared to Kate Middleton or Princess Diana. Although technically a commoner, her mother is from one of the oldest noble families in Bhutan which has long had many royal connections.

It’s rumoured that the couple first met in 1997 during a family picnic. At the time, the Crown Prince was seventeen years old while she was just seven. Apparently, the Prince ‘proposed’ to her there and then by getting down on one knee and telling Jetsun that when she grows up, he hoped to marry her. Fourteen years later that pretend proposal did indeed lead to marriage.

Why are the Bhutanese so fond of their Royal Family?

Put simply the Bhutanese are fond of their Royal Family because of the historical role they have played in uniting the country and bringing about a lasting stability, while also encouraging the country to move towards a democracy and being seen as champions of social causes and sustainable development.

The current Royal couple, like their predecessors, are very available for the people. Be it a moment of happiness or sadness in Bhutan, the Royal family will be seen supporting the mood of the people. When asked why they are so fond of their king many Bhutanese will quote the words of the current king during his coronation, “Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son.”

Where can you see the Royal Family?

Members of the Royal Family are often present at state events, festivals and other major public events. They often interact with the public at such events. It’s worth asking your guide if any such events that the Royal Family are likely to attend is taking place at the time of your visit.