Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (, born 21 February 1980) is the fifth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan and head of the Wangchuck dynasty. He became king on 14 December 2006, and was officially crowned on 1 November 2008.

Family

Khesar (pronounced Gesar) is the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his father's third wife, Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister, Princess Dechen Yangzom, and brother, Prince Jigme Dorji, as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers.

Education

After completing his higher secondary studies from Yangchenphu Higher secondary school, Bhutan, Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts), Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and International Relations.

As Crown Prince, he has travelled abroad, officially representing Bhutan on several occasions and has an active role in numerous cultural, educational and economic organizations.He is also an active Basketball player and has represented Bhutan in many international events.

Ascension to the throne

In December 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that...
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