Bhutan king marries his long time love

Thimpu: Bhutan's young king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Thursday married his lady love Jetsun Pema, a 21-year-old commoner, in a royal ceremony here.

The royal nuptials are conducted in a ritual steeped in traditional spirituality, said state-run Kuensel newspaper.

The wedding was solemnized in a 17th century monastery at Punakha amid chantings of the monks and blessings.

After the much talked about marriage between Prince Williams and Kate, the world witnessed another royal wedding when Wangchuck married the girl who had studied in London.

The 31-year-old-king had also completed his education in London. He had in May announced in Parliament that he will marry Jetsun Pema.

"The youngest reigning monarch of the world’s youngest democracy, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31, will today wed Jetsun Pema, 21, in a rich and solemn traditional religious ceremony fulfilling the wishes of the Bhutanese people in the Punakha Dzong that sits where the Pho chu and Mo chu rivers meet," reported Kuensel.

The sacred nuptial ceremony, which starts as early as four in the morning, also proclaimed royal bride Jetsun Pema as the Druk Gyal-tsuen (Queen of Bhutan).

Jetsun Pema was a student of Regents College, London, UK, and second eldest among four siblings. She is the daughter of Dhondup Gyaltshen, the grandson of Trashigang dzongpon Dopola and Sonam Chuki of the Bumthang Pangtey family.

Wangchuck earlier had said: ".... to me, she is the one."

Wangchuck, one of the youngest kings of this world, brought in the democratic transition of Bhutan.

The Himalayan nation located between China and India transformed into a constitutional democracy in 2008 as the king released his absolute power.