Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk has married his commoner bride in a lavish ceremony at a monastic fortress in the Himalayan nation.
During the Buddhist ritual the king, who is 31, came down from his throne to place a crown upon the head of 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema.
Monks chanted to celebrate the union as the king returned to his seat and Ms Pema took the throne as the new queen.
King Jigme is widely revered in the remote kingdom of some 700,000 people.
Celebrations, which were broadcast live on state television, began at 0820 local time (0220 GMT) - a moment deemed auspicious by royal astrologers.
The wedding has been keenly anticipated in the tiny kingdom. Posters, commemorative plates and a badge have been produced and were widely available across Bhutan for the occasion.
The whole theme of the wedding was to keep it a simple family affair, that is the Bhutanese family," Kinley Dorji, Bhutan's secretary of information, told the Associated Press news agency.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
The royal wedding has ensured the continuity of the monarchy”
Tshering Tobgay
Bhutan's opposition leader
A monk who watched the couple arrive at the monastery said he was "a very happy man today".
"There is a special feeling," Kesang Chopel told Reuters news agency.
And when the king of Bhutan was asked about what it felt like to be married he replied: "It's great - you should try it yourself."
No comments:
Post a Comment