The 28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck would be formally crowned the fifth king of Bhutan Thursday, all set to become the world's youngest monarch, the Indo-Asian News Service reported Wednesday.
The coronation ceremony will take place at the imposing Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, a fortress that is now the seat of the government in capital Thimphu, where the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck would anoint his eldest son with the Raven Crown of Bhutan.
"Everybody in Bhutan is eagerly waiting for the coronation ceremony as it means a lot to the people. Despite being a democracy now, the monarchy enjoys tremendous respect, goodwill, and confidence," Bhutan's first elected Prime Minister Jigme Thinley said.
Bhutan held its first parliamentary elections earlier this year making a historic shift from a 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.
The traditional ceremony with Buddhist rituals would be followed by felicitations in the afternoon by over 20,000 people. Following Thursday's ceremony, Bhutan will enjoy three days of national celebrations.
Bhutan's central bank, the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) will release new currency notes of 1,000 and 50 Ngultrum to mark the occasion. The new notes bear the portrait of the new king.
The former king had set the process in 2001 for Bhutan's transformation from an absolute monarch to a parliamentary democracy that led to the country having a new constitution.
Source: Xinhua
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