Bhutan Princes steal the show as royal family mark their country’s national day 

The sons of the King and Queen of Bhutan stole the show as the royal family marked the country’s National Day today. 

Crown Prince Jigme, six and Prince Ugyen, two, attended the celebrations with King Jigme Khesar Wangchuk and Queen Pema today, in Thimphu. 

Dressed in traditional outfits just like their parents, the two young princes seemed to be enjoying today’s event. 

Meanwhile, the Queen and King, who were also in traditional dress, looked as poised and regal as ever.  

Pictured of the event released today showed the two young royals standing close to their parents as they watched the celebrations unfold with other members of the royal family. 

The eldest and heir-to-the-throne Jigme stood close to his father, as if to learn the ropes of his royal position. 

He was wearing a multicoloured dress with dark trousers as members of the public watched him cross the stadium’s pitch to follow his parents into the royal box. 

Meanwhile, his younger brother, who was born in 2020, was dressed in a golden dress and comfortably nestled in their mother’s arms, as he kept a watchful eye on the event. 

Prince Ugyen, who was born in 2020, was dressed in a golden dress and comfortably nestled in their mother’s arms, as he kept a watchful eye on the event

The young prince watched the celebrations unfold from the comfort of his mother’s Queen Pema’s arms 

The couple’s youngest son was wearing a golden robe as part of his traditional outfit he donned for the event 

Queen Pema wore an eye-catching traditional outfit with tones of purple and oranges, and kept her hair straight. 

Her husband, King Wangchuk, was beaming with pride as he stood close to his family in the box, while the joyous event unfolded. 

Dancers and singers all performed for the royal family, while in the stand, members of the public invited to attend the event cheered them on. 

King Jigme, the hugely popular fifth Druk Gyalpo, studied in the UK and the US and ascended the throne in 2006, aged just 26 after his own father abdicated.

Unlike his son, who plans to have a monogamous marriage, the former King, who introduced democracy to Bhutan during his reign, has four wives, all sisters who he married on the same day.

But despite his own upbringing, the current monarch has made clear that he only plans to have one wife, whom he married on October 13, 2011, when she was still an international relations student at Regent’s College in London.

The match made headlines at the time because the young King was more openly affectionate with his wife than citizens were used to – leaving the couple to be called ‘the William and Kate of the Himalayas’.

The King, left, attended the event with his wife, in purple, right, their two sons, and other members of the Bhutan royal family 

Crown Prince Jigme, escorted by his father the King and the former King Singye Wangchuck, held the Bhutan flag during the celebrations 

The Bhutanese King and Queen married in 2011 – the same year that Prince William and Kate were wed – and have since welcomed two sons.

However, the King’s very public displays of affection – which included kissing his wife on the cheek and holding her hand – was well-received by young people, with many even choosing to follow the royals’ example.

The couple have an unusually close family, with the King’s sister and brother married to the Queen’s brother and sister.

The Queen’s older sister Yeatso Lhamo is married to the King’s brother Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

In September, Pema and Jigme were among the world leaders who travelled to London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.  

The former King, King Jigme and Crowm Prince Jigme entered the stadium together as part of the event 

Crown Prince Jigme was led to the royal box by his grandfather, who was also wearing a traditional robe over his trousers 

The young Prince seemed relaxed as he took an deep interest in the celebrations, learning the ropes of ceremonial life from his father 

The current and former King kept the Crown Prince close to them during the event celebration their country’s National Day

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