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What do you know about Bhutan? That it’s situated on the eastern end of the Himilayas? Or that its national sport is archery? Or that it’s capital is Thimphu? We’ll here’s one thing you SHOULD know: they just had a royal wedding! Though not as highly publicized as the nuptials of Will and Kate, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck & Jetsun Pema tied the knot on October 13th (now a national holiday in Bhutan). Let’s delve a little deeper in comparing these too royal affairs.
Engagement:
An adorable story suggests that Jigme, 10 years her senior, asked Jetsun to be his wife at a family picnic when she was just 7 years old. On one knee, the then-prince said, “when you grow up, if I am single and not married and if you are single and not married, I would like you to be my wife, provided we still feel the same.” How pragmatic! Both went on to study in the UK, the king at Oxford and the queen at Regents College. Obviously, Will and Kate studied in the UK as well, both graduating from St. Andrews. Both engagements are particularly interesting as the women are of common ancestry, while the men are deeply grounded in royal blood. Lastly, the “Dragon King” asked for his bride’s hand in marriage earlier this year, celebrating a short 5-month engagement just like William and Kate.
Attendance:
Unlike the Brits, Jigme and Jetsun did not invite Sir Elton John to join in the festivities. Actually, the entire wedding was kept rather intimate, predominately members of Bhutan’s royal family.
Ceremony:
Both couple enjoyed their ceremony with pomp and circumstance, ceremoniously traveling to nationally important landmarks past streets lined with spectators. The brides both wore exquisit garments created by skilled designers, though Jetsun’s answer to Kate’s Alexander McQueen gown was a traditional kiras made from handwoven raw silk. And let’s not forgot those head coverings. Princess Eugenie and Beatrice made headlines with those awful hats, but Jetsun’s crown was an embroidered piece of artwork.
Honeymoon:
While Will and Kate took to the island of Seychelles off the coast of African, the Bhutanese couple decided for a honeymoon closer to home, touring by train the state of Rajasthan, India. They too will leave a few days after the ceremony to celebrate their romance in an exotic land.
Both nuptials were incredibly important to the nations and cultures they represent. And as American’s we can only admire from afar at the royal love stories while we flip channels between Kim (Kardashian) and Kris and Kim (Zolciak) and Kroy. Thanks again Bravo.
-William Fogler
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