Tweet
Bhutan Royal Wedding
Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema pose after they were married at Punakha Dzong fortress in the ancient city of Punakha. The 31-year-old reformist monarch wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies on October 13
King Wangchuck and Queen Pema walk through the crowd during a celebration after their marriage. The royal wedding has captivated a nation that had grown impatient with their bachelor king's lack of urgency to take a wife since his father handed power to him 5 years ago
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck holds a young child as he greets locals with Queen Jetsun Pema during a celebration after their wedding in Punakha.
King Wangchuck and his bride Jetsun Pema take part in a purification ceremony during their wedding ceremony. Pema, who wore a yellow jacket and a skirt according to the traditions, was proclaimed the 'Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan'.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his bride Jetsun Pema take part in a purification ceremony. Known for his simplicity, the 31-year-old king likes to cycle across capital Thimphu and invite his subjects for a cup of tea.
Queen Jetsun Pema after her wedding with King Wangchuck. 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk
King Wangchuck and Queen Pema before their wedding. Wangchuck is revered in Bhutan as the nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck walks towards the Punkaha Dzong to take part in his wedding. The Oxford-educated mountain-biking fanatic Wangchuck is accompanied by Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and the Chief of Bhutan Royal Police.
Future queen Jetsun Pema walks towards the Punkaha Dzong monastry to take part in her wedding to King Wangchuck. The royal bride, who did her higher secondary schooling in Himachal Pradesh's Sanawar, walked to the fortress in a procession of 100 people beating drums and chanting hymns.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck poses with his bride Jetsun Pema, after they attended a cultural program held in their honor at the India house in Thimphu.
