Coronations 2008

Monarchists disheartened by events in Nepal can perhaps take some comfort in the fact that this year offers three royal coronations: in the French territory of Wallis (July 25), Tonga (August 1), and Bhutan (November 6), though it's unfortunate that in both of the latter two countries the coronations coincide with the emasculation of the monarchies, as both George Tupou V and Jigme Khesar Wangchuk surrender most of their remaining political powers.