In an early morning ceremony in Thimpu, King Jigme Singe Wangchuk acceded his eldest son, 28 year old oxford educated, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to the Royal throne of Bhutan Thursday, following the coronation Wangchuk became the world's youngest reigning monarch.
He heads the newest democracy in the world after he adorned Bhutan's Raven Crown at an ornate coronation ceremony here.
The ceremony took place at the Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, amid the chanting of Buddhist Shlokas and the bass of ceremonial gongs.
Watched by the four queen mothers Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the young bachelor king looked calm.
Jigme Khesar is the eldest son of the former Bhutanese king and his third wife Ashi Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister and brother as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers by his father's other three wives.
The ornate ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Indian President Pratibha Patil and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley. Ambassadors of 23 countries witnessed to the historic rite of passage.
Chanting of hymns followed traditional ritual offerings to the new king in the form of eight auspicious articles - mirror, medicine, curd, incense, fruit, right-whorled conch shell, vermillion and yellow mustard.
Then followed another round of offerings - seven precious symbols signifying devotion, valor and eternity, besides eight auspicious signs symbolising truth and wisdom.
The traditional ceremony with Buddhist rituals would be followed by felicitations in the afternoon by more than 20,000 people at Tendrel Thang, the ceremonial ground in Thimphu.
The capital of the Himalayan nation, Thimpu was a riot of colour as men and women in traditional gear lined up to catch a glimpse of the young monarch.
The country has planned three-day celebrations to mark the occasion.
The Wangchuk dynasty is loved by the people they rule as they mingle with commoners and even walk down city and village streets.
"The greatest gift that I can ask for is this... being with you...my people," the new king was quoted as saying by the local media earlier this week.
The young King’s powers will be significantly watered down compared to the absolute power his father enjoyed.
In keeping with the changes sweeping the region, held its first parliamentary elections in March making a historic shift from 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.
"This coronation is significant as it marks the end of an era (the former king's rule) and the beginning of a new chapter in Bhutan's history as the people has great hope and confidence on the new king," Thinley, Bhutan's first democratically elected prime minister, said after the coronation ceremony.
The king remains the head of state, but parliament would have the power to impeach him by a two-thirds vote.
He heads the newest democracy in the world after he adorned Bhutan's Raven Crown at an ornate coronation ceremony here.
The ceremony took place at the Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, amid the chanting of Buddhist Shlokas and the bass of ceremonial gongs.
Watched by the four queen mothers Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the young bachelor king looked calm.
Jigme Khesar is the eldest son of the former Bhutanese king and his third wife Ashi Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister and brother as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers by his father's other three wives.
The ornate ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Indian President Pratibha Patil and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley. Ambassadors of 23 countries witnessed to the historic rite of passage.
Chanting of hymns followed traditional ritual offerings to the new king in the form of eight auspicious articles - mirror, medicine, curd, incense, fruit, right-whorled conch shell, vermillion and yellow mustard.
Then followed another round of offerings - seven precious symbols signifying devotion, valor and eternity, besides eight auspicious signs symbolising truth and wisdom.
The traditional ceremony with Buddhist rituals would be followed by felicitations in the afternoon by more than 20,000 people at Tendrel Thang, the ceremonial ground in Thimphu.
The capital of the Himalayan nation, Thimpu was a riot of colour as men and women in traditional gear lined up to catch a glimpse of the young monarch.
The country has planned three-day celebrations to mark the occasion.
The Wangchuk dynasty is loved by the people they rule as they mingle with commoners and even walk down city and village streets.
"The greatest gift that I can ask for is this... being with you...my people," the new king was quoted as saying by the local media earlier this week.
The young King’s powers will be significantly watered down compared to the absolute power his father enjoyed.
In keeping with the changes sweeping the region, held its first parliamentary elections in March making a historic shift from 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.
"This coronation is significant as it marks the end of an era (the former king's rule) and the beginning of a new chapter in Bhutan's history as the people has great hope and confidence on the new king," Thinley, Bhutan's first democratically elected prime minister, said after the coronation ceremony.
The king remains the head of state, but parliament would have the power to impeach him by a two-thirds vote.
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