Fantastic pictures of Bhutan

While looking at the splendid photo essay on Ludwig II linked in my previous post, I discovered another set of equally magnificent photographs, in this case comprising "A Trip to Bhutan," many of them related to last month's royal wedding. This "Last Shangri-La" must be amazing to visit, but if you can't, perusing Alan Taylor's superb collection of photos may be the next best thing.

Dragon King weds his Queen

After weeks of preparation and anticipation, the world's youngest head of state, King Jigme Khesar Wangchuk of Bhutan, 31, married and crowned Jetsun Pema, 21, today in a splendid traditional ceremony at the 17th century Punakha Dzong, one of Buddhism's holiest sites. The popular Oxford-educated king wanted his marriage to be a celebration for the people of Bhutan rather than an international state occasion. Coverage reflects the sincere and widespread joy felt by his subjects as they welcome their new queen and begin a three-day national holiday. I'm sure all readers will join me in wishing King Jigme and Queen Jetsun a happy life and reign together.

Royal Weddings 2011

This year's most publicized royal wedding may have already taken place (SymphonyNow interviews conductor Christopher Warren-Green, who conducted the orchestra at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last month). However, there is no need for royalists to sink into anticlimactic post-nuptial doldrums, for at least three other major royal marriages are yet to be celebrated this year, even if the American media is unlikely to pay them quite as much attention. Prince Albert II of Monaco (whose engagement was announced a year in advance) will marry South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock in July. As previously reported, in the most dynastically traditional of all of these unions Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia (head of the House of Hohenzollern and therefore rightful King of Prussia and German Emperor) will marry Princess Sophie of Isenburg in August. Finally, the world's youngest head of state King Jigme Khesar Wangchuk of Bhutan, 31, has announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema; they will marry in October.

Just as 2008 was a year of coronations, 2011 is shaping up to be a great year for royal weddings. Congratulations to all four couples and their countries. I'm sure all monarchists will join me in hoping that they all enjoy happy and fruitful unions--and also that Germans will wake up from their long republican nightmare and formally acclaim Georg Friedrich and Sophie as their Monarch and Consort!

Greatest Nation?

David B. Hart denies that the United States is the "Greatest Nation on Earth," whimsically nominating the Kingdom of Bhutan as an alternative recipient of this nonsensical designation. Alas, Bhutan is changing, and probably not for the better, as lamented by both The Mad Monarchist and Peter Hitchens. At least they still have their monarchy, unlike a certain other Himalayan country.

Bhutan Coronation

Bhutan crowned its new King, world's youngest head of state Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in an ancient and colorful ceremony.

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.