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Bhutan - Monarch

Bhutan became a democracy by the persuasion and personal efforts of a King who worked consistently over thirty years to establish the prerequisites of a democratic culture and institutional arrangements. Having achieved this noble task and set the polity on the final and irreversible path of democracy, our King abdicated the throne as a final mark of His confidence in democracy. The King showed that if leaders themselves are committed to democracy, transition can be smooth and peaceful.

Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1652), a leader of the Drukpa Kargyu School of Buddhism unified the country in the 17th century, under a central authority and established a system of governance known as Choe-si, whereby temporal and religious authority were separated and vested in the Druk Desi ( temporal head) and Je Khen-po(Spiritual Head). By the end of the 17th century, the country achieved a high degree of political stability and developed a distinct national and cultural identity. Instability resurfaced by the second half of the 18th century due to internal dissent, and external threats in the latter half of the 19th century added a new dimension to the political quandary. It was against this background that the need for strong leadership emerged and was found in the person of the Trongsa Penlop, Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck.

Gong-sa Ugyen Wangchuck became the 1st heriditary king of Bhutan on December 17, 1907, with the signing and sealing of the Oath of Allegiance by an assembly comprising of representatives of the monastic community, officials and the common people that recognised him as Druk Gyal-po . The establishment of the monarchy ushered in an era of peace and stability, and most significantly unified the country under a central authority. It also set in motion the gradual opening of the country to the outside world and laid the foundation of Bhutan as a modern nation state. The modern health and education sytem of present day Bhutan can be traced to the first king's reign.

His Majesty Jigme Wangchuck (1926-1952), the 2nd Druk Gyal-po initiated several processes, particulalry in the program of health and education of Bhutanese abroad. Th e country's move towards modernization also saw continued efforts of his father's modernization efforts to build more schools, dispensaries, and roads within Bhutan.

His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1952-1972) became the 3rd Druk Gyalpo and instituted far-reaching political, social, and economic reforms. He established the National Assembly, the High Court, the Royal Advisory Council and a system of governance responsive to social and economic requirements of the people. He started the planned development process in 1961 and guided Bhutan’s membership in the United Nations in 1971, ensuring the kingdom a place in the international community.

In 1963 the monarch's title was changed from "His Highness" to "His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo" in a move to assert a distinct Bhutanese identity. The Druk Gyalpo retained veto power over actions of the National Assembly until 1 969 when the National Assembly, following his 1968 decree, became the kingdom's sovereign institution. After 1969, the National Assembly could remove the Druk Gyalpo through a no-confidence vote, and he no longer had veto power. To secure the Wangchuck Dynasty, however, should the Druk Gyalpo be dethroned through a no-confidence vote, the Wangchuck family member next in line of succession would automatically take the throne. Also beginning in 1969, at the insistence of the Druk Gyalpo a "democratic monarchy" was to be determined through triennial votes of confidence in the Druk Gyalpo 's rule—a system later abolished.

His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck ascended the throne in 1974 as 4th Druk Gyal-po , and has always dedicated himself to definin g and promoting a long-term vision and direction for the country. His reign from 1972 to 2007 brought unpre cedented progress and achievements across many fields including economic, social and political fields, amo ng others. A most significant contribution by His Majesty was in the devolution of power from the throne to the people through a gradual but deliberate process lasting over three decades.

After his accession to the throne in 1972, the new Druk Gyalpo was assisted by his uncle, Dasho (Prince) Namgyal Wangchuck, and his elder sisters, Ashi Sonam Chhoden Wangchuck and Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, who served in the ministries of finance and development as the Druk Gyalpo's representatives. (Ashi Sonam Chhoden Wangchuck later became minister of finance.) Jigme Singye Wangchuck was formally enthroned in June 1974.

In 1979 Jigme Singye Wangchuck privately married four sisters who were descendants of two of the shabdrung, the rulers of the old dual system of government. In 1988, in order to legitimize the eventual succession to the throne for his oldest son, Dasho Jigme Gesar Namgyal Wangchuck, the Druk Gyalpo and his four sisterqueens were married again in a public ceremony in Punakha. At the time of the public wedding, it was reported that the Druk Gyalpo lived in a small, simply furnished house, across from the Tashichhodzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), the year-round central government complex in Thimphu. His four queens each maintained separate residences.

A young, vigorous head of state unafraid to break from the bureaucracy and constraints of his office—including his trips to the countryside where the Druk Gyalpo could be seen "serving the people"—Jigme Singye Wangchuck presented the monarchy as progressive and symbolic of national unity. After steering the country through dramatic developments, and preparing the country for parliamentary democracy, His Majesty abdicated in favour of the Crown Prince. In December 2005, King Wangchuk announced that when the nation held elections for its first elected government in 2008, he would abdicate to his son, Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. The King said he chose to reduce the power of the monarchy because he ``became King due to birth, not merit... which is a flaw of monarchies'' and that ``national interests come first.''

His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as the 5th Druk Gyal-po successfully steered the country through a most sensitive time in Bhutan's history with the country's first democratic parliamentary elections on 31st December 2007 for the Upper House or the National Council followed by the elections on March 24th 2008 for the Lower House or the National Assembly. Together these two Houses form the parliament. His Majesty's guidance has marked the peaceful transition of Bhutan into a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy as envisioned by the 4th King.

His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ascended to the Golden Throne in December 2006. A formal coronation coinciding with the Centenary Celebrations has been scheduled to be held November 6th 2008. His Majesty has been effectively carrying out his committment to transforming the kingdom into a democratic constitutional monarchy and continues to guide and strengthen the national policy of Gross National Happiness.