News

Bhutan's Royal Wedding

13.10.2011

The tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has been experiencing royal wedding fever. On 13 October 2011, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck was married to his commoner bride, Jetsun Pema. The lavish ceremony took place in front of a giant Buddha statue and began with a procession of red-robed monks, the chants of welcome, the clanging of drums and the drone of long trumpets. Celebrations, which were broadcast live on state television for the country's 700,000 inhabitants, began at 8:20am local time (2:20am GMT) - a moment deemed auspicious by royal astrologers. Amidst colorful ceremonies showcasing the rich Buddhist culture and tradition, His Majesty the King crowned Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck making her his bride at the Puna Dewai Chenpoi Phodrang in the 17th century Punakha Dzong. The wedding celebrations took place in the presence of His Holiness the Je Khenpo, His Majesty the Fourth King, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers, other members of the royal family and the Yab and Yum of the Royal Bride. While there were no heads of state or other royal families present, thousands of members of the public attended. The wedding has been keenly anticipated in the tiny mountainous kingdom. Posters, commemorative plates and a badge were produced and widely available across Bhutan for the occasion, according to reports. Moreover, as part of activities to celebrate the royal wedding, the agriculture machinery centre travelled around the entire length and breadth of the country providing free repair and maintenance service for farm machinery.