Jetsun Pema, the Queen of Bhutan and known as the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas, turns 35 this Wednesday. She marked the occasion with a new family photo alongside her husband, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, known as the Dragon King, and their three children: Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel, 9, Prince Jigme Ugyen, 5, and little Sonam Yangden, who will turn 2 in September.
In the photo, the King and Queen of what's considered the happiest country in the world appear together. Bhutan measures the well-being of its people through the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) instead of traditional economic indicators like GDP. As usual, they’re dressed in their national attire, representing their small country in South Asia, nestled in the Himalayan mountains between northern China and southern India, with a population of around 800,000.
While the King and Queen are seated, their three children pose at their feet on a golden step. The little dragon princess stands between her brothers, sporting a charming fringe. Sonam Yangden looks much more grown-up and changed. It had been at least a year since she last appeared in an official portrait, and she already shows signs of being just as poised as her two older brothers.
Jetsun Pema has been the Queen Consort of Bhutan since October 13, 2011, when she married the King. She was born on June 4, 1990, in Thimphu, Bhutan, and is often called the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas for her beauty, elegance, and regal presence. She comes from a family with noble roots, although they do not hold an official aristocratic title. Her father was a pilot and the grandson of a regional governor, while her mother comes from one of the country's oldest noble families. The King and Queen met when she was seven and he was seventeen. Their relationship grew stronger after their studies.
As queen, Jetsun has modernized the image of the Bhutanese monarchy by using social media to connect with the people and embracing a fresh and approachable style that has made her hugely popular in the kingdom. She also convinced her husband to give up polygamy, a common practice in Bhutan’s royal tradition, establishing a monogamous and admired relationship. The royal family lives in the Samteling and Lingkana palaces.