Jetsun Pema facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jetsun Pema |
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Pema in 2023
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| Queen consort of Bhutan | |||||
| Tenure | 13 October 2011 – present | ||||
| Coronation | 13 October 2011 | ||||
| Born | 4 June 1990 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan |
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| House | Wangchuck (by marriage) | ||||
| Father | Dhondup Gyaltshen | ||||
| Mother | Sonam Choki | ||||
| Religion | Drukpa Kagyu | ||||
Jetsun Pema (Dzongkha: རྗེ་བཙུན་པདྨ་; Wylie: rje btsun padma, born on 4 June 1990) is the Queen of Bhutan. She is married to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Queen Jetsun Pema is currently the youngest queen consort in the world. She and the King have three children. Their children are Jigme Namgyel, who is the future king, Jigme Ugyen, and Sonam Yangden.
Early Life and Education
Where was Queen Jetsun Pema born?
Jetsun Pema was born in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 4 June 1990. Her father is Dhondup Gyaltshen. Her mother is Aum Sonam Choki. Her family has connections to some of Bhutan's oldest noble families.
Jetsun Pema is the second of five children. She has two brothers, Jigme Namgyel and Dasho Thinley Norbu. She also has two sisters, Serchen Doma and Ashi Yeatso Lhamo. Her eldest sister is married to the King's brother. Her eldest brother is married to the King's half-sister.
What schools did Queen Jetsun Pema attend?
Jetsun Pema started her schooling in Thimphu. She went to Little Dragon School, Sunshine School, and Changangkha Lower Secondary School.
Later, she studied at St. Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong, India. She continued her secondary education at Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School in Thimphu. In 2006, she moved to The Lawrence School in Sanawar, India. There, she studied English, history, geography, economics, and painting.
After finishing high school, she went to Regent's University London. She earned a degree in international relations. She also studied psychology and art history.
Marriage and Family Life
How did the King announce his marriage?
On 20 May 2011, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced his engagement. He told the Parliament that he would marry later that year.
He described Jetsun Pema as a warm and kind person. He said she would be a great servant to the nation as Queen. He believed she would grow into a dynamic person with experience.
When was the Royal Wedding?
The royal couple married on 13 October 2011. The wedding took place at Punakha Dzong. This ceremony was held in Punakha. After the wedding, there were public celebrations in Thimphu and Paro.
During the ceremony, the King placed the Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen on her head. This officially made her the Queen of Bhutan. The wedding followed traditional Bhutanese customs. The King has said he will only marry one woman, even though Bhutan allows polygamy. As a wedding gift, the Netherlands sent the royal couple tulips. They even named one tulip "Queen of Bhutan."
Who are the Queen's children?
Jetsun Pema gave birth to her first child, a son, on 5 February 2016. He was born at the Lingkana Palace. The King was there for his birth. This prince is known as Gyalsey. His name, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, was announced later.
On 19 March 2020, she gave birth to her second son. He was also born at Lingkana Palace in Thimphu. On 30 June 2020, the Royal Family announced his name: Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck.
On 9 September 2023, the King announced that the Queen had given birth to their third child. This time, it was a daughter. She was also born at the Lingkana Palace. Her name, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck, was announced on 9 December 2023.
Royal Duties and Interests
What does the Queen do for Bhutan?
Since her marriage, Queen Jetsun Pema has traveled with the King. They have visited countries like India, Singapore, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
She also joins the King on visits across Bhutan. During these trips, they meet many local people, students, and public servants.
Queen Jetsun Pema cares deeply about the environment. She is the Patron of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). She is also the UNEP Ozone Ambassador. This means she helps spread awareness about protecting the ozone layer.
She works with groups that help children with special needs. She is the patron of Ability Bhutan Society. She also supports the Bhutan Kidney Association and the Bhutan Kidney Foundation. Since 2016, she has been the President of the Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS).
What are Queen Jetsun Pema's hobbies?
The Queen enjoys fine arts, painting, and basketball. She used to be the captain of her school's basketball team. She still loves the sport. When she was in school, she also took part in school bands and dance programs.
Besides Dzongkha, which is Bhutan's national language, she speaks fluent English and Hindi.
See also
In Spanish: Jetsun Pema para niños
