Who’s who of the Bhutanese Royal Family

The Bhutanese Royal Family is one of the least known around the world, especially to those who don’t follow the royals. To help you familiarise yourself with the family, we have broken down who’s who of the main line in the Bhutanese Royal Family.

King Jigme Khesar

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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Dragon King, was born in Nepal on 21 February 1980 to King Jigme Singye and his third wife, Queen Tshering Yangdon. He has one younger sister and one younger brother. He also has four half-sisters and three half-brothers. The King was educated in Bhutan, the United States and the United Kingdom. He became monarch upon the abdication of his father on 9 December 2006. King Jigme Khesar married Jetsun Pema in 2011 and they have three children. He is considered “the People’s King” and is highly popular in Bhutan. 

Queen Jetsun Pema

Royal Office for Media

Queen Jetsun Pema was born on 4 June 1990 into a noble family. Her parents are Dhondup Gyaltshen and Sonam Choki, and she has four siblings. Her brother, Thinley Norbu, is married to the King’s half-sister, Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuck and her sister, Yeatso Lhamo, is married to the King’s brother, Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Jetsun Pema was educated in Bhutan, India and the UK. As such, she speaks her native Dzongkha, plus Hindi and English. She married King Jigme Khesar on 13 October 2011 and they have three children: Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel, Prince Ugyen Wangchuck and Princess Sonam Yangden. Jetsun Pema became the Queen of Bhutan upon marriage and is beloved in the kingdom for her dedication to her role.

Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel

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Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck (known commonly as  Jigme Namgyel) was born on 5 February 2016 to the King and Queen. He is the youngest crown prince in the world and is seen regularly at events with his parents in Bhutan and across the globe. At a young age, he has already undertaken solo engagements in the mountain kingdom. In Bhutan, he is known as the Dragon Prince (or Druk Gyalsey) and is expected to be Bhutan’s sixth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo).

Prince Ugyen Wangchuck

Royal Office for Media

Prince Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck (known only as Ugyen Wangchuck) was born on 19 March 2020 as the King and Queen’s second child. He regularly appears alongside his parents at royal events in and outside of Bhutan. He is second in line to the throne.

Princess Sonam Yangden

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Princess Sonam Yangden Wangchuck was born on 9 September 2023 as the third child and only daughter of King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema. In her short life, she has already joined her parents on a state visit to Bangladesh. She shares her first name with her paternal aunt, Princess Sonam Dechen and maternal grandmother, Sonam Choki. She shares her second name with her paternal grandmother, Queen Mother Tshering Yangdon. Princess Sonam Yangden is third in the line of succession.