King and Queen of Bhutan visit Royal Textile Academy

King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan visited the Royal Textile Academy in Thimphu alongside their son.

The King and Queen were joined by their three children, Prince Ugyen Wangchuck, and other members of the Royal Family to see the special exhibition marking 2026 as the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King).

Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel opened the exhibit, named The Visionary Monarch: A Tribute to the Fourth King’s Enduring Legacy, on 2 June 2026. The Royal Textile Academy is responsible for the exhibition alongside the Museum Division under the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development.

After the visit, the Royal Office for Media shared several images from the tour on social media.

In one photo, King Jigme Khesar is seen using his mobile phone to take photos of the exhibit, and in another, Queen Jetsun Pema is seen looking at a display with her younger son, Prince Ugyen Wangchuck.

The royals also spent time viewing the Thagzo: Textile Weaves of Bhutan exhibition.

The Fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, is the father of the reigning Bhutanese monarch, King Jigme Khesar. The fourth monarch abdicated in favour of his son in 2006.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on 11 November 1955 as the only son of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (who was then heir to the throne) and Queen Kesang Choden.

He is credited with transitioning Bhutan into a democracy, ending the absolute monarchy that ruled the kingdom previously.