“As King, it is time for me to marry. After much thought, I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year,” said His Majesty the King in his opening speech at the 7th session of parliament and added that he has found such a person in the name of Jetsun Pema.
“While she is young, she is warm and kind at heart. These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation,” he announced that it is through this union that he shall have a Queen who will support, and work with him to serve the People and Country.
Jetsun Pema, the future Queen of Bhutan, was born in Thimphu on June 4, 1990. She received her education from Regents College in London, the UK; the Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh and St. Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong, India; and Changangkha Lower Secondary School and Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Jetsun Pema’s father, Dhondup Gyaltshen, is the grandson of Trashigang Dzongpon Dopola. Her mother, Sonam Chuki, comes from the family of Bumthang Pangtey.
His Majesty announced that the wedding will be in accordance with age-old tradition and seek the blessings of the guardian deities, and asked the government specifically not to make any plans for a grand celebration.
“The happiness of my beloved father and the blessings of our People will give me the greatest joy and happiness,” he told the parliamentarians.
Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and the members of parliament expressed their happiness on the announcement of the royal wedding. They offered good wishes to the future queen of Bhutan.
A wave of excitement and joy swept across the country as the people of 20 dzongkhags watched His Majesty announce his wedding on live television. The feeling of joy at the news was palpable on faces of people outside the parliament hall.