The Times has a photo essay on the crowning of the new King of Bhutan, just six months after Bhutan abolished the previous absolute monarchy and set up a democracy with a constitutional monarchy.
(first photo) Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28, became the youngest reigning monarch on the planet when he was handed the Raven Crown by his father, the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in an ornate ceremony in the nation’s capital Thimpu.
(second photo) The Wangchuk dynasty, which has ruled Bhutan for a century and is still widely revered, had to wait until now for court astrologers to find an auspicious year for the coronation of the 5th Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King.
(third photo) Hundreds of foreign guests attended the ceremony in the Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, a fortress in Thimpu.
(fourth photo) Also at the ceremony were the former King’s four wives, who are all sisters. (Rico says now there's a marital nightmare...)
(fifth photo) The ceremony began with the sound of giant gongs and Buddhist chants as the Je Khenpo, or chief abbot, recited sacred sutras empowering the new King Jigme with virtues such as wisdom, compassion and vision.
(sixth photo) Most Bhutanese believe that it is the kings who have allowed their nation and its unique culture to survive intact, despite being surrounded by 1.3 billion Chinese and 1.1 billion Indians.
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