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Some Pictures Of Monarchy And Royal Family Of Bhutan


Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
(The first ruler of Bhutan)

The monk ruler, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), a Tibetan native, is considered as the founder of modern Bhutan state. He was the first ruler of Bhutan. He ruled for 35 years. His successors ruled the country till 1907.

Shabdrung established himself as the country's supreme leader. He ruled over Bhutan for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1651 A.D. During his reign of 35 years, he built dzongs (fortress), monasteries, and religious institutions. He established the Drukpa Kargyupa school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan. His reign was marked by the introduction of the unique dual system of governance called the Chhoesid. This new system was characterized by the sharing of power and authority between the Deb Raja or the Desi who was the head of secular affairs and the Dharma Raja or the spiritual head, called as Je Khempo .

He also codified laws for the country. The laws were based on medieval theocratic principles called the Tsa-Yig. The successive 'Dharma Rajas' were the incarnations of the Shabdrung whereas the post of the Deb Raja was like that of the Prime Minister. In course of time, the Dharma Rajas preferring religious matters withdrew themselves into seclusion while the 'Deb Rajas' consolidated their authority exercising sole responsibility over the secular affairs.

After the death of Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, the following became the Shabdrungs or Dharma Raja of Bhutan.

1698 - 1712 AD Kunga Gyaltshen b. 1689 - d. 1713
1712 - 1729 Phyogla Namgyal b. 1708 - d. 1736
1730 - 1735 Jigme Norbu b. 1717 - d. 1735
1735 - 1738 Mipham Wangpo b. 1709 - d. 1738
1738 - 1761 Jigme Dragpa I b. 1724 - d. 1761
1762 - 1788 Choeki Gyaltshen b. 1762 - d. 1788
1791 - 1830 Jigme Dragpa II b. 1791 - d. 1830
1831 - 1861 Jigme Norbu b. 1831 - d. 1861
1862 - 1904 Jigme Chogyal b. 1862 - d. 1904
1905 - 1931 Jigme Dorji b. 1905 - d. 1931
-2003 Jigme Nawang Namgyal b. - -d. 2003

He reincarnation of Shabdrung Jigme Nawang Namgyal, who was living in exile in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, died on April 5, 2003.


King Ugyen Wangchuck
(The first king)

The dual form of governance continued until the birth of the Wangchuk dynasty and establishment of hereditary Monarchy in 1907.The reigning Wangchuk dynasty and hereditary Monarchy was established in 1907. His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. The king of Bhutan is known as Druk Gyalpo. The present King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the fourth hereditary king. The establishment of a hereditary monarchy was indeed the most important landmark in the recorded history of Bhutan.

Ugyen Wangchuck ( 1907-1926 AD) was the son of Jigme Namgyel . He was born in 1862 . He was an able administrator and a wise diplomat. He took several reforms and introduced the system of western education. He opened many schools. He signed a new Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty with British India Raj in 1910. He ruled for 19 years. He died in August 21, 1926. He was married to Queen Ashi Tsendue Lhamo. His son Jigme Wangchuck became the second King of Bhutan after his death.


King Jigme Wangchuck
(The seconde king)

King Jigme Wangchuck ( 1926-1952 AD) was born in 1905. As the eldest son of King Ugen Wangchuck, he received education in English, Hindi and Buddhist literature. During his reign, Bhutan started to forsake its self-imposed isolation.

In 1947 Bhutan participated in the Asian relations Conference in New Delhi, India. The Treaty of perpetual peace and friendship between the government of Independent India and Bhutan was signed in Darjeeling, on 08 August 1949. This Treaty governs the modern day Indo-Bhutan relations. Bhutan agreed to be guided by the advice of India in regard to its foreign relations, according to this Treaty. He was married to Queen Ashi Phuntsho Chhoedon.


King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
(The third king)

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( 1952-1972) was born in 1928. He learned English and Hindi languages at early childhood. He ascended to throne as the third king in 1952. During his 20 years reign, Bhutan emerged as a modern nation. Bhutan achieved all-round development during his reign.

He was a far-sighted monarch. He introduced land reforms putting a landholding ceiling of 30 acres. He distributed lands to land-less citizens. He put a ban on slavery and serfdom. He established a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established the Tshogdu or National assembly - Bhutan's first unicameral Parliament. He established the Royal Advisory Council in 1963.

During his reign Bhutan's first planned economic development plan was drafted. In 1961, a five year economic development pan was launched for the years 1961-1966. Bhutan is still following this five-year economic development plan. He created Bhutan's first Council of Ministers in 1968. In 1963, Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan.

During his 20 years reign, 1770 Km of roads were constructed, the number of schools rose to 102 and 6 hospitals were established. In 1971, he set up a Planning Commission. Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations in 1971. He died on 21 July, 1972. He was the main architect of modern Bhutan he was married to Queen Ashi Kelzang Chhoedon wangchuck.


King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
(The present king)

The fourth hereditary and the current King Jime Singye Wangchuck (From 1972), an evil dictator, was born on 11 November 1955. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, King of Bhutan is the reigning monarch and head of Bhutanese Royal Family. He received modern education. He briefly studied in India and the United Kingdom. He returned to the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Paro, Bhutan in 1970. However, he could not complete his school education due to the sudden death of his father. He became king on 23 July 1972 at the age of 17. His official coronation was held on June 02, 1974.

In 1979 he married four sisters - Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck as queens. An official royal wedding and a public ceremony was held on 31 October 1988. They've five princes and five princesses. HRH Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is the Crown Prince.

Royal Family Members


King with his four wives
(From left:Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, the King, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wanghcuk)

In 1979, King married four sisters, daughters of Yab Ugen Dorji and Yum Thuiji Zam A private royal wedding ceremony was held discreetly in 1979, followed by a public ceremony on 31 October 1988. During the royal wedding, the eldest prince, Highness Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck was declared as Crown Prince. The names of the Queens and Royal children are as follows:

Name of Queens:

Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (b.20/12/1955, second daughter of Yab Ugen Dorji)
Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck (b. 20/12/1957, third daughter)
Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck ( b. 21/6/1959, fourth daughter)
Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck ( b. 11/5/1963, fifth daughter)

The King has four sisters as follows:

Princess Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck, b. 26 July 1953.
Princess Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, b. 8 Sept,1954.
Princess Ashi Pem Pem Wangchuck, b. 12 March 1959.
Princess Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, b. 11 May 1961.

Royal Children


Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
(Crown Prince of Bhutan)


Jigel Ugen Wangchuck
(Prince of Bhutan)

The names of Royal children are as follows:

Princess Ashi Chimi Yamgzam, daughter of Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. ( b. 10/1/1980)

Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, Crown Prince, son of Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck. ( b. 21/2/1980). He M Phil in Politics at Magdalen College, Oxford, UK in 2003.

Princess Ashi Sonam Dechen, daughter of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. (b. 5/8/1981)

Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzam, daughter of Ashi Tsering Yangdon Wangchuck. (b. 2/12/1981)

Princess Ashi Kesang Choden, daughter of Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck (b. 23/1/1982)

Prince Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuk, son of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. (b. 6/7/1984). He studied in Choate Rosemary High School in the USA for three years and completed his high school. He was then enrolled as a first year student to study history and politics at St Peter's College Oxford, UK in 2003. He left the college unfinished on November 04, 2003.

Prince Dasho Khamsum Singhye Wangchuk, son of Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. ( b. 6/10/1985)

Prince Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, son of Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck. ( b.14/4/1986 )

Princess Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuk, daughter of Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck (b.1993)

Prince Dasho Ugyen Jigme Wangchuk, son of Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. (b.1994)