King of Bhutan Relinquishes Throne
King Jigme Singye Wangchuk (above) of Bhutan has stepped down from the throne, after three decades as king. One year before the country becomes a parliamentary democracy with a new constitution, his Oxford-educated son Crown Prince Jigme Kesar Namgyal takes over as the fifth king of Bhutan.
King Wangchuk gave up absolute power in 1998 and has ruled since in conjunction with the government, an assembly and a royal advisory council.
He announced a year ago that he would step down and be succeeded by his son when the country holds its first national democratic elections in 2008.
The Crown Prince’s accession thus comes a year early. According to an unnamed royal staff, “The prince needs enough experience and exposure in the art of governance, so the king has decided to step down earlier than planned”.
via BBC
Tags: royalty, Bhutanese royals, King Wangchuk, Prince Namgyal
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POSTED IN: Other Royal Families
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