Bhutan gets prince charming as new monarch
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will be the new king.
BY A CORRESPONDENT
December 17, 2006
Thirty-four years, and King Jigme Singye Wangchuk thought it’s the time to step down. And so he did, with no robe and crown on him. Bhutan on Saturday saw a change of guard with King Jigme Singye Wangchuk giving up the throne after 34 years.
He handed over power to his son Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The King also issued a royal decree stating his decision to relinquish powers in favour of his son. He announced that he was confident about a very bright future for Bhutan under the new king. He added that a democratic system of government is best suited for Bhutan as enshrined under the constitution.
Meanwhile, as he ascends the throne, the 26-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Wangchuck would become the fifth monarch and head of state of Bhutan. It may be recalled here that the Himalayan Kingdom is all set to adopt the system of parliamentary democracy in year 2008.
With Jigme Singye Wangchuk announcing that he was relinquishing power, Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and members of the Cabinet endorsed the decision make his son he next monarch.
The new King is a Cushing Academy and the Wheaton College in Massachusetts, product and had completed the Foreign Service Programme and the M Phil programme in Politics from Magdalen College, Oxford University.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the eldest among 10 children and was termed 'prince charming' by the international media when he visited Thailand to attend the 60th anniversary celebration of the Thai King in June.
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