Bhutan to crown world’s youngest king today

The only exception to this was the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who announced his decision to abdicate the throne in 2006. At the age of only 53, he is officially going to hand over the mantle to his son, the Fifth King of Bhutan, at a coronation ceremony on Thursday.

Now, Jigme Khesar Wangchuck can continue in the throne till he reaches 65 — a period of almost 36 years. “The new King has a wise teacher in his father and he is certainly going to be a great King,” said Jigme Y Thinley, the Prime Minister of the first democratically elected government in Bhutan. “He has amazing similarities with his father. He has already become a people’s King,” he added.

Thinley also explained the time lapse of almost 11 months between the abdication of the throne by the Fourth King and the coronation of his son.

“Bhutan is still steeped in superstition,” said Thinley. “Royal astrologers had described 2007 as a black year.” This meant that three major events had to be put on hold till 2008, said Thinley — the first democratic elections, the centenary of the Wangchuck monarchy in Bhutan (completed in 2007) and finally the coronation.

Meanwhile, Indian President Pratibha Patil and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrived in Thimphu amidst an enthusiastic reception from thousands of Bhutanese school students and the general public.

While Sonia was the first to arrive, school students lined up the capital’s main thoroughfare for over two hours to greet the President.

Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji said that India is the only foreign country that was invited to be part of the momentous occasion. While the Indian President is the official invitee of the Bhutan Government, Sonia and her family members, including Rahul Gandhi, are coming on a private invitation from the King. The Gandhi family has had a special kinship with the royal family ever since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, said Dorji.