Bhutan's "Dragon King," its charming, American- and British-educated and immensely popular monarch, married his longtime girlfriend today, kicking off three days of celebration in this tiny Himalayan land that is slowly but steadily emerging into the modern world.
The 31-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, an Oxford graduate and fan of basketball and Elvis, wed his girlfriend of three years, the photogenic but unassuming 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, in a small, private ceremony replete with Buddhist spirituality and medieval tradition, in an ancient monastic fortress in the country's old capital Punakha.
Wangchuck came down from his golden throne in front of a huge statue of Buddha to place the crown upon the head of his bride. He returned to his seat as monks chanted in the background, and she sat upon the throne beside him as the new queen of the country.Read more
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