Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck- Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31, is one of the youngest monarchs in the world. But despite his relative youth, the Bhutanese king was not thrown in at the deep end when he came to the throne in November 2008.His father Jigme Singye Wangchuck - who himself acceded to the throne when aged only 16 - took great pains to ensure that his son was prepared to take over before his abdication in December 2006.
The young king had a difficult act to follow. His father won international acclaim for his role in turning Bhutan into a constitutional monarchy while his emphasis on gross national happiness - the idea that spiritual and mental well-being are more important than material prosperity - made him the darling of development groups the world over.
As crown prince Jigme Khesar was educated in India and the US before attending Oxford University to read politics and international relations.
After graduating, the future monarch was encouraged by his father to travel abroad and represent his country of 700,000 people.
King Jigme Khesar is the fifth in a line of hereditary rulers who have reigned in Bhutan for the last 100 years.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15287281
The young king had a difficult act to follow. His father won international acclaim for his role in turning Bhutan into a constitutional monarchy while his emphasis on gross national happiness - the idea that spiritual and mental well-being are more important than material prosperity - made him the darling of development groups the world over.
As crown prince Jigme Khesar was educated in India and the US before attending Oxford University to read politics and international relations.
After graduating, the future monarch was encouraged by his father to travel abroad and represent his country of 700,000 people.
King Jigme Khesar is the fifth in a line of hereditary rulers who have reigned in Bhutan for the last 100 years.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15287281
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