Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan

Who is Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan?

Jetsun Pema (born 4 June 1990) is the Queen of Bhutan, a constitutional monarchy. Her marriage to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, was held on October 13, 2011, at Punakha Dzong. The royal wedding was held first in Punakha followed by formal visits to different parts of the country. She was educated at the Lawrence School Sanawar, India, and at at the Regents College, London.

Jetsun Pema was born in Thimphu on 4 June 1990 in the Thimphu Hospital. Her father is Dhondup Gyaltshen from Trashigang and is the grandson of Trashigang Dzongpon (governor of Trashigang) Thinley Tobgye (aka Dopola 1893-1952). Dhondup graduated from Sherubtse College, Kanglung and has been a commercial pilot for last 22 years, initially with Druk Air and now Bahrain Airways). Her mother, Sonam Chuki, is from Bumthang Pangtey and is the god daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Namgyel Wangchuck (half-brother of Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck); but she considered herself as an ordinary Bhutanese subject although her father is the half brother of the queen of Second King Jigme Wangchuck—Ashi Phuntsho Choden and Ashi Pema Dechan.

Jetsun Pema's initial schooling started in Thimphu in the Little Dragon School, Sunshine School (1995–96) and Changangkha Lower Secondary School (1997–98). Then she had her convent education in St. Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong, West Bengal, in India, during 1999–2000. She did her secondary school education at the Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School in Thimphu from 2001 to 2005. She then moved to the Lawrence School, Sanawar in Himachal Pradesh in India during 2006–08 (joined as Class-XI student in April 2006) where the subjects of studies she chose were English, history, geography, economics and painting. She completed Higher Secondary education (Ten plus two) on 31 March 2008. She is pursuing her college education at Regents College, London (UK). where she is majoring in International Relations (IR) with Psychology and Art History as minor subjects of study.

On May 20, 2011, during the opening of the Parliament's 7th session, King Jigme Khesar announced that he would marry Jetsun Pema in October 2011. While making the announcement, he said, "While she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character. These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation." Khesar has also commented, "Jetsun Pema is a kind-hearted girl who is very supportive and whom I can trust. I cannot say how she might appear to the people, but to me, she is the one." The wedding will be held in traditional style with the "blessings of the guardian deities". Jetsun Pema has already started accompanying the King on his royal tours around the country and the couple were married 13 October 2011.

Jetsun Pema's interests include fine arts, painting and basketball. She captained her school team in basketball games and maintains that interest even now. Her other diversions during her school days included participation in school bands and dance programmes. Besides Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan, she is fluent in English and Hindi. Her hobbies cover photography and appreciation for modern and renaissance art. She listens to, and is interested, in traditional Bhutanese music.