Bhutan's King weds India-educated Pema

Punakha: Bhutan’s popular King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck today tied the nuptial knot with his childhood sweetheart and India-educated commoner Jetsun Pema in a traditional Buddhist ceremony at a stunning fortress in this historical city, 71 km from capital Thimphu. Amid chanting of hymns by red-robe Buddhist monks and clanging of drums by Bhutanese, the 31-year-old dashing Wangchuck placed the crown on the head of 21-year-old Pema, whom he met when he was 17, as the Chief Abot (head of the monks) of Bhutan Je Khenpo led the proceedings. [caption id=“attachment_106505” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wed Jetsun Pema today. AFP Photo/His Majesty’s Secretariat/Gelay Jamtsho”]  [/caption] Pema, who wore a yellow jacket and a skirt according to the traditions, was proclaimed the ‘Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan’ as the King bestowed the crown on her after a series of ceremonies that was attended by 300 guests, including Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan K Varma and West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan, and members of the Royal Family. Wearing a raven crown, the King stood with a smile on his chuckle as Pema prostrated herself before him thrice according to the traditions and was served with a liquid that according to belief is for longivity of the couple. Outside the stunning 17th century fortress, located between two rivers – Fochu (Father River) and Mochu (Mother River), thousands of Bhutanese, including children and women, thronged the ground near the monastic fortress to catch a glimpse of their King and the Queen as early as 5 AM (local time) braving intense cold conditions. Majority of the 7 lakh population were glued to their television sets to watch the wedding ceremony which was being telecast live on Bhutan Broadcasting Service TV. The elaborate wedding ceremony began at 4 am with initiation of special prayers by 100 monks led by His Holiness Je Khenpo, the head monastic preceptor. The dashing 31-year-old Oxford-educated Wangchuck emerged from his palace at around 8.20 AM accompanied by Premier Jigmi Y Thinley and the Chief of Bhutan Royal Police and proceeded straight to the large monastic fortress. Minutes later, a procession of over 100 people beating drums and chanting hymns brought the 21-year-old Royal Bride Pema, who did her higher secondary schooling in Himachal Pradesh’s Sanawar, to the palace through the wooden bridge to the palace where the ceremony took place. After her arrival at the Dewa Chhen-Poi Phodrang (Palace  of Great Happiness), the Queen lit a golden lamp, offered prayers and proceeded towards Wangchuck. The guests that includes Ambassadors of various countries in Bhutan and personal invitees of the King will be served to a traditional Bhutanese lunch that will also have Indian items like roti. Around 60 culinary experts from all 20 Valleys of Bhutan have been engaged in preparing the food items for the guests. After the Wedding today, the Royal Couple will set out on road from Punakha to Thimphu tomorrow and are likely to be welcomed by people through the way. Known for his simplicity and soft-spoken nature, Wangchuck, who was coronated as King of Bhutan on 6 November 2008 after his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated and transferred the throne to him, likes to cycle across the capital and invite his subjects for a cup of tea, a thing which is uncommon with monarchies. PTI