Lovers to his & her majesty

Impatient for long with their 31 year old bachelor king's lack of urgency in finding a bride, the people of Bhutan were on October 13, up since the early hours. For, the big day had finally arrived. Their 'Prince Charming' Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk wed his childhood sweetheart Jetsun Pema, a 21-year-old commoner, in a Himalayan monastic fortress, Punakha Dzong, in a colourful ceremony that showcased the rich Buddhist culture.

The wedding has captivated the reclusive kingdom. Some drove down to the Punakha Dzong to take part in or watch the celebrations, while others finished their daily chores early to stay glued to TV sets for the live show. The volunteers, who were helping the foreign media cover the "biggest event of their lives", were walking examples of their dedication and reverence for the king. The district of Punakha has a symbolic significance in Bhutan. Besides being the old capital, it also stands for a Bhutan where the secular, the religious, the parliamentarian and the royal meet.

The Dzong houses the lawmakers in one area, and the monks in another. It's also separated from the king's palace by a small pond and garden. The public started queuing up outside the palace around 6 am. At 7, the guests started arriving, followed by the king's humble procession half an hour later.

The king evoked the usual gasps in his traditional Bhutanese goh outfit in yellow - a colour that only he and the chief abbot can wear. His procession was followed by that of the queen's, which was more elaborate and decorative.

Jetsun was dressed in the traditional kira, made by local weavers. Red and gold in colour, the outfit was accessorised by simple tribal style jewellery. The queen kept her hair loose and makeup minimal.

The lay people marched and danced with musical and religious instruments, flags and banners. The ceremony started with Buddhist chants, with the chief abbot and the second-in-command lama performing the rituals. The bride and groom were then taken inside a chamber, where the queen was fed a "nector" by the king's father. She was also given scarves, each signifying a certain attribute of Buddhist religion. The couple was then taken to the main Dzong area, where the media was kept out. Here, the king crowned his bride and declared her queen. The monks present there made offerings to the newly-weds.

After the ceremony, the king, an Elvis fan and keen biker, told the reporters how happy he was. "I have been waiting for quite some time to get married," he said. "But it doesn't matter when you get married as long as it is to the right person. I am certain I am married to the right person." It is said the royal couple had met aged 17 and seven at a family picnic in Thimphu. The thenprince had got down on his knees and told Jetsun "when you grow up, if I am single and not married and if you are single and not married, I would like you to be my wife, provided we still feel the same".

Talking about his bride now, the Dragon King, an Oxford graduate who came to power in 2008 at the start of democracy in Bhutan and who is hugely popular with the masses, added: "She is a wonderful human being. She and I share one big thing in common - a passion for art." The outfits and demeanour of the royal couple as well as their families both reflected the simplicity and regality of the affair. Even the guests were not dressed ostentatiously.

The invitees' list boasted of ambassadors and heads of state from around the world. From India, MP Jyotiraditya Scindhia and M.K. Narayanan, West Bengal governor, were spotted.

The question doing the rounds was when Rahul Gandhi would come to wish the couple. According to information minister Sangaye Wangchuk, he might arrive at the weekend to wish his friend, but strictly in a personal capacity. Three-day celebrations have been kicked off following the Royal Wedding.

Girl who stole Prince Charming's heart
Her Facebook page has been flooded with congratulatory messages since May this year, when the King of Bhutan had announced at the 7th session of parliament: "As King, it is time for me to marry. After much thought, I have decided the wedding shall be later this year." He had added that he had found his queen in Jetsun Pema.

"She is young and warm at heart. These qualities, together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience, will make her a great servant to the nation," Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk had added.

Jetsun, a commoner now crowned the Queen of Bhutan, was born in Thimphu on June 4, 1990. She didn't live a nestled life, as future queens are expected to have lived.

Her father, Dhondup Gyaltshen, works as a pilot for Kingfisher Airlines and her mother, Sonam Chuki, is a homemaker.

A biography released by the palace listed the queen's interests as fine arts, painting and basketball.

One of five sisters, Jetsun, who is 5 feet and 10 inches tall, studied at Regents College in London; the Lawrence School in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, and St Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong, India.

Maybe it was her worldly wise ways that attracted the King of Bhutan.

A few of Jetsun's friends from both Regents and Sanawar - young girls dressed up in gowns or dresses - made it to Bhutan on Thursday to see their friend live out a fairytale.

"I don't know that much about her, but she's beautiful," Zhung Chuck, a 23- year- old business student, said. "His Majesty chose the right wife." Jetsun is now studying for a degree in international relations. As queen, she is likely to be involved in charity work and, it is hoped, in looking after the heir to the throne once the couple have children. The " enlightened and happy" people of Bhutan have accepted and welcomed their new queen with open hearts and have, in fact, romanticised an alliance between the royalty and commoners.

They admire how the daughter of an airline pilot won the heart of the king, who talks openly of his love and admiration for her and even holds her hand at public functions.

Jetsun has been travelling the country with him and accompanying him on all major domestic trips.

Nobody seems to look down on the king's lovestruck demeanour; rather, it is considered an admirable trait in someone of his stature.

So when Jetsun, who probably never even dreamt of being queen, walked down to meet her king on the wedding day, dressed up in a kira (skirt and blouse with flowing sleeves), she knew she had already won the hearts of the Bhutanese.

The 21 year old walked with the confidence, poise and glow of a queen, even before she was crowned.