King of Bhutan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King of Bhutan |
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|---|---|
| Dragon King of Bhutan | |
| Incumbent | |
 |
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| Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck since 12 December 2006 |
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| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck |
| First monarch | Ugyen Wangchuck |
| Formation | 17 December 1907 |
| Residence | Samteling Palace, Thimphu |
The King of Bhutan, officially called the Druk Gyalpo (འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་པོ་; meaning "Dragon King"), is the constitutional monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is known as Drukyul. This means "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". Because of this, the kings of Bhutan are called Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"). The people of Bhutan call themselves the Drukpa, which means "people of Druk (Bhutan)".
The current King of Bhutan is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He is the fifth Druk Gyalpo. He wears a special crown called the Raven Crown. This is the official crown for the kings of Bhutan. People address him as "Your Majesty".
King Jigme Khesar became king on 9 December 2006. He was 26 years old at the time. This made him the youngest king in the world. His father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided to step down and let him become king. King Jigme Khesar was officially crowned on 6 November 2008, when he was 28.
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The King's Role and Powers
The Constitution of Bhutan confirms that the country has a king. The Druk Gyalpo, or King of Bhutan, is the head of state. He represents the unity of the kingdom and its people. The Constitution also says that the king brings together the country's religion and politics. As a Buddhist, the king supports both religious and worldly matters. He also protects all religions in Bhutan. The king cannot be sued in court for his actions. His position is very important and respected. However, the king must always protect the Constitution. He must work for the best interests and well-being of the people of Bhutan.
Special Rights of the King
The king has special rights, called royal prerogatives. These are powers that only he can use as the head of state. For example, he helps build good relationships with other countries. He does this by welcoming leaders from other nations. He also visits other countries himself.
The king can also give out special titles and awards. One such award is the "Dasho", which comes with a red scarf. He can also grant citizenship to people. The king can offer amnesty (forgiveness for crimes) or reduce prison sentences. He can also give "kidu", which are benefits like land or other help to the people.
Who the King Appoints
The king chooses many important government officials. These include judges, the auditor general, and the heads of groups that fight corruption, manage civil service, and run elections. These people hold important positions stated in the Constitution.
The king appoints most of the top judges. This includes the chief justice and other judges of the Supreme Court. He also appoints the chief justice and judges of the High Court. These choices are made after talking with the National Judicial Commission.
The king also appoints other high-level officials. He chooses the chief election commissioner and other members of the Election Commission. He also picks the auditor general, and the heads of the Royal Civil Service Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission. These roles usually last for five years.
The king appoints other positions based on advice from different groups. He chooses the heads of the Defence Forces from a list given by the Service Promotion Board. He also appoints the attorney general, the head of the Pay Commission, and the governor of the Central Bank of Bhutan. He also chooses the cabinet secretary and Bhutanese ambassadors. These appointments are made based on the prime minister's recommendations. The king also appoints dzongdags, who lead local governments. Other government secretaries are also appointed by the king, based on recommendations from the prime minister and the Royal Civil Service Commission.
Military Powers
The king is also the supreme commander in chief of the Armed Forces and the Militia of Bhutan. This means he is the top leader of the country's military.
Stepping Down from the Throne
The Constitution explains how a king can step down from the throne. This can happen in two ways: voluntarily (by choice) or involuntarily (if asked to). As mentioned earlier, the king can temporarily give up his royal powers.
The Constitution says that the king must step down if he purposely breaks the Constitution. He must also step down if he has a permanent mental disability. For this to happen, a special meeting of Parliament must vote on it. At least two-thirds of all Parliament members must propose this idea. The king can respond to this proposal in writing or by speaking to Parliament.
If three-quarters of Parliament members vote for the king to step down, the decision goes to the people. There will be a National Referendum, where people vote to approve or reject the idea. If the people in all parts of Bhutan agree, the king must step down. Then, the heir apparent, who is the next in line to the throne, becomes king.
List of Dragon Kings
Here are the hereditary Dragon Kings of Bhutan:
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ugyen
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11 June 1862 – 26 August 1926 (aged 64) | 17 December 1907 | 26 August 1926 | Son of Jigme Namgyel | Wangchuck | .jpg) |
Jigme
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1905 – 30 March 1952 (aged 47) |
26 August 1926 | 30 March 1952 | Son of Ugyen | Wangchuck |  |
Jigme Dorji
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2 May 1929 – 21 July 1972 (aged 43) | 30 March 1952 | 21 July 1972 | Son of Jigme | Wangchuck | .jpg) |
Jigme Singye
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11 November 1955 | 21 July 1972 | 9 December 2006 (abdicated) |
Son of Jigme Dorji | Wangchuck |  |
Jigme Khesar Namgyel
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21 February 1980 | 9 December 2006 | Incumbent | Son of Jigme Singye | Wangchuck | |
See also
In Spanish: Druk Gyalpo para niños
- Constitution of Bhutan
- Druk
- Dual system of government
- Queen of Bhutan
- Wangchuck dynasty
- History of Bhutan
- Politics of Bhutan
