PUNAKHA, Bhutan — The fifth Dragon King came down from his golden throne to place a silk crown upon the head of his bride. Monks chanted in celebration and she took her seat beside him Thursday, becoming the new queen of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan.
The wedding of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck to his commoner bride, Jetsun Pema, has captivated a nation that had grown impatient with their 31-year-old bachelor king's lack of urgency to take a wife and start a family since his father retired and handed power to him five years ago.
Thousands of Bhutanese from the surrounding villages joined the king and queen at their wedding reception at a fairground outside the country's most sacred monastery fortress, where a slate of dancers performed traditional routines for the new couple.
"I have longed for this celebration, and here it is," said Pema Gyeltshen, a nearby villager, as he watched the dancing.
Locals think the dragon king is a pretty cool guy. He's laid back, down to earth, and doesn't afraid of evening bike rides through the street.
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