The first child of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema was delivered safely on Friday 5 February at Lingkana Palace in Thimpu. The King was at the Queen´s bedside during the delivery and after birth, he was first presented to his grandfather, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
Both mother and son are doing well and the King and Queen have expressed appreciation to the Bhutanese medical team for their service. Prayer ceremonies were performed before the birth all over the country for which both the King and Queen were very grateful. The child is currently known as His Royal Highness The Gyalsey. The news of the safe delivery was announced on the King´s official Facebook page.
“Our happiness knows no bounds, as we announce the Royal Birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey on 5th February 2016.
Our Prince, the first Royal Child of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema, was delivered safely at the Lingkana Palace, Thimphu. His Majesty was at Her Majesty’s side during the time of the delivery. Following the Royal Birth, His Royal Highness was first presented to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and His Royal Highness are both in perfect health.
All sacred Bhutanese traditions were observed for the auspicious occasion, with His Holiness the Je Khenpo presiding over the religious ceremonies.
Their Majesties and members of the Royal family are filled with profound joy on the birth of His Royal Highness.
Their Majesties expressed appreciation to the Bhutanese medical team for their service.
Their Majesties also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdeys, and other religious organizations who performed prayer ceremonies in all the Dzongs and Lhakhangs across the country for the wellbeing of His Royal Highness, Their Majesties, and the people of Bhutan.
We join the people of Bhutan in our heartfelt prayers for the wellbeing of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, and in the expression of our joy on this momentous occasion.”
The current and fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) is the second-youngest reigning monarch in the world. He acceded to the throne December 2006, aged 26, following his father’s abdication. In October 2011, he married 21-year-old Jetsun Pema in Punakha Dzong, making her the Druk Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen).
The royals are both from large families – the King having a younger sister, three half-sisters and one half-brother whilst the Queen hails from one of Bhutan’s oldest noble families and is the second eldest of five children. Her elder sister is also the wife of the King’s brother.
Although Bhutan allows polygamy, the King has said he would never marry another woman and that Pema will be his only wife.
This spring, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be visiting Bhutan after their tour of India.
