Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
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Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born February 21, 1980) is the fifth Dragon King of Bhutan and head of the Wangchuck dynasty.[1] He is the world's youngest head of state.
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[edit] Family
Khesar is the oldest son of the Bhutanese king Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his father's third wife, Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon.
He has a younger full sister and brother and also four half-sisters and three half-brothers by his father's other three wives (all of his father's wives are sisters). He is unmarried.
[edit] Education
After completing his basic education in Bhutan, Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy (Andover), the Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford University, United Kingdom, where he completed the Foreign Service Program and an MPhil in Politics.[2]
He has travelled abroad, officially representing Bhutan on several occasions and has an active role in numerous cultural, educational and economic organizations.
[edit] Accession to the throne
In December of 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.[3] On December 14, 2006, he announced his immediate abdication and transfer of the throne to Jigme Khesar Wangchuck.
[edit] One year on
The young king began his unusual reign overseeing the democratization of his country, by presiding over the last sessions of the present parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were deliberated.[4]. He stated that the responsibility of this generation for Bhutanese was to ensure the success of democracy. He also travelled extensively around the country encouraging participation in the upcoming democratic exercises [5] and speaking mainly to the youth of Bhutan on the need for Bhutanese to strive for greater standards whether in education, business, civil service and the need for people of small country to work harder than others [6]. He also signed a new treaty of friendship with India in February 2007, replacing the 1949 treaty. Many government initiatives were undertaken by the new king with a view to strengthen the system in preparation for the democratic changes in 2008. Plans for a grand coronation in 2008 were shot down by the king who asked for informal get-togethers around the country instead of a formal event in the capital.
[edit] Popularity abroad
As Crown Prince of Bhutan, he attended Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary Celebrations on June 12-June 13, 2006 in Bangkok along with royals from 25 countries. Known in the Thai press as Prince Jigme, the prince, at 26 the youngest of the visiting royals, caused a sensation, giving rise to a legion of female fans in Thailand. The Thai press dubbed him "Prince Charming" and ran daily stories and photos about him and tourism in Bhutan for several weeks after he had departed Thailand.[7]
A poll run by the ABAC polling center at Assumption University listed Khesar as the most popular of the visiting royals. However, the poll was thought by some to be making light of a solemn occasion involving the Thai monarch. Hours after the poll was released, the ABAC center's director, Nophadol Kanika, retracted its results.[8]
Internet visitors to the Thai Internet forum Pantip.com flooded the website with postings about the crown prince. Among the posts is a photo of him with an unknown woman. Thai-language daily newspapers later featured the photo.[9] The country's Department of Special Investigation launched a probe into the source of the image, whose publication is considered to be an invasion of privacy, and threatened to prosecute anyone who distributed it in the future.[10]
In November of 2006, he returned to Thailand to dedicate the Bhutan Garden at the Royal Flora Ratchapruek Exhibition in Chiang Mai Province. He also accepted an honourary degree from Rangsit University in Bangkok.[11][12]
[edit] References
- ^ Boston Globe Bhutan's new king committed to democracy, December 18, 2006.
- ^ His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
- ^ BBC, "Bhutan king announces abdication", December 18, 2005.
- ^ Kuensel Newspaper - His Majesty addresses the 87th session of the National Assembly
- ^ Kuensel Newspaper - His Majesty to attend mock election in Dungkhar
- ^ Kuensel Newspaper - His Majesty speaks on Bhutan’s future
- ^ The New Paper, "Red hot Prince Charming", June 21, 2006.
- ^ The Nation, "Abac backs down on poll on royals", June 22, 2006.
- ^ Thai Rath, page 1, top left corner (print edition), June 28, 2006.
- ^ ThaiDay, "DSI sweeps into action over Jigme photograph", June 28, 2006.
- ^ The Nation. Bhutan prince charms fans at floral expo. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ The Nation. Prince, Thailand have mutual adoration. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
[edit] External links
- The 5th King's 2007 National Day address
- The Chhoetse Penlop's Enthronement
- More about His Majesty The Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk
- The King of Bhutan's historic 2005 National day address
- Bhutan's Royal Family
- More Royal Family Background
- Tim Fischer: Wise heads prevail in capital of happiness
- His Majesty The King Historic 2006 National Day Address
- His Majesty's Pictures
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Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
Born: 21 February 1980 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jigme Singye Wangchuck |
King of Bhutan 2006 – present |
Incumbent Designated heir: Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck |
