'The Great Fourth; King of Destiny' - Jigme Singye Wangchuck at 70

 

The whole of Bhutan - Himalayas' last Kingdom; landlocked between China & India - came en masse to Changlimithang National Stadium in Thimphu on November 11 (2025) for a very special occasion. Their Great Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Father of The Nation, turned 70 years old, his milestone birhday auspiciously coinciding with Lord Buddha's ascendance to Heaven, a major religious feast for the Buddhist Kingdom. The Great Fourth, who initiated reforms turning Bhutan into a modern, industrialized, sustainable, democratic country ahead of its time, was paid tribute by his son, The current King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in whose favor he abdicated after a 34-year-reign in December 2006. India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, a consequential ally of Bhutan, was also present at the celebrations, which had been sandwitched between two religious festivals, extending festivities from 4 to 20 November 2025. A true upholder of Bhutan's national identity & religious tradition, the Fourth King celebrated along with his large Royal Family, including his 95-year-old Mother, Four Wives (all Queen Mothers), Ten Children & 14 Grandchildren; as well as thousands of his extended family, subjects he turned into citizens.

Nationwide festivities began with The Global Peace Prayer, held from November 4 to 10 in (the capital) Thimphu. Hosted by The Royal Government of Bhutan in partnership with the Central Monastic Body, it was the largest non-sectarian festival of Vajrayana (school of Tibbetan) Buddhism, that brought together over 150 eminent Buddhist masters, lamas & scholars, as well as tens of thousands of devotees from Bhutan and abroad. The Royal Family played a central role. Both The King & Queen and The Fourth King (& Four Queen Mothers) graced the opening ceremony, and offered prayers three times on the first, fifth and seventh day. The que was so huge, that most people began arriving at Thimphu Changlimithang from 03:00am on the first day, up to midnight of the previous day by November 8. Those who could not be accomondated to the football stadium also filled the Centenary Park by the time of the prayers. The Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body (which resembles to a Patriarch) led the prayers for global peace & reconsiliation, while Jabzhi Gyap rituals for peace & well-being were also held indoors. 

Their Majesties offered prayers at Kuenselphodrang (where the rituals were being conducted) on the 9th November & oversaw concluding prayers on the 10th, by Vajrayana Masters from Bhutan, Bangladesh & Thailand. The following day, November 11, was of double significance for Bhutan's identity. The long-anticipated 70th Birth Anniversary of The Father of the (modern) Nation, auspiciously coincided with Lhabab Duechen (Descending Day of Lord Buddha), one of the Four major annual feasts in Buddhism. Etched to the teachings of Ugyen Guru Rinpoche (first teacher of Vajrayana Buddhism) and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (father of Bhutanese national identity who unified the state in the early 17th century), the Bhutanese nation honored The King who preserved & reinforced those teachings while leading its path to modernity. This time, Changlimithang was filled by all classes of Bhutanese society - from The Royal Family, members of the government, The Monastic Body, Ambassadors & foreign officials to over 27,000 of people, who began gathering there from the previous evening. The King & Queen, Queen Mothers, Queen Grandmother, Royal Children & Grandchildren were all there.

The new septuagenarian, Fourth Druk Gyalpo, was joined by his 45-year-old son, The Fifth King, 9-year-old grandson, The Druk Gyalsey (Crown Prince) & Je Khenpo (of his same age) on the Stadium's Central Dais around 9:00am'. He was presented a orange-yellow flag (with the dragon) of Bhutan, and given a Royal Salute, during which The National Anthem (Druk Tsednen) was performed. The Great Fourth then took his seat next to his wives & 95-year-old mother (who served as Regent early into his reign), leaving the floor to The King; who addressed the audience in Dzongkha & English for about 50 minutes. In his long & deeply personal message, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, expressed his nation by calling "the most beloved of all" King Jigme Singye Wangchuck "our pride, our hero, our inspiration". He first thanked the late Third Druk Gyalpo & his Royal Grandmother for giving Bhutan "our King of Destiny". He paid tribute to His Majesty's 34 year-reign, his extraordinary contribution to strengthening the nation, his clear & far-sighted vision, his fearlessness, wisdom & pioneering achievements. He hardly imagined what would Bhutan be without King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

After briefly mentioning the highlights of his father's extraordinary life, The Fifth Dragon King shared 12 of timeless advices he has given him in his close to five decades on earth. They are the following: 1) Serve the Nation & People with Loyalty and Dedication, 2) Safeguard and Strengthen Our Sovereignty & Security, 3) Uphold the Dharma, 4) Preserve and Promote National Identity, 5) Protect Our Cultural & Natural Heritage, 6) Foster National Unity, 7) Reject Complacency, 8) Strong People Build Strong Nation, 9) Nurture the Young with Right Values, 10) Uphold Our National Reputation, 11) Establish Good System & Laws, and 12) Always be Adaptive. He concluded by reassuring the Bhutanese how proud & vigilant of their daily achievements His Majesty is, and wished that the next time Lhabab Duechem coincides with The Great Fourth's Birthday in 30 years (his 100th Birth Anniversary) they will celebrate "with the same pride, reverence, and happiness". The King then humbly procrastinated to his father - who had personally Crowned him (with the Yellow Royal tunic) as the then world's youngest Monarch in 2008 - and led the nation in pledging allegiance to him, which echoed through the Stadium.

India's Prime Minister HE Shri Narendra Modi was a guest of honour at the 70th Birth Anniversary celebrations of HM The Fourth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). He arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday (11 November 2025) morning for a two-day special visit and received a ceremonial Chipdrel procession at Changlimithang. Joined by The current & former Kings at the podium, he observed the rendition of India's National Anthem. The Fifth King then expressed the hearfelt appreciation of Bhutanese people on PM Modi's presence on such an important occasion, reaffirming Bhutan's steadfast support to India & bonded friendship with her people. His Excellency, in turn, paid tribute to the Fourth King as a wise & visionary leader, "an inspiration to the world", referring on the bond & values shared between their nations and pledged to continue support & cooperation. The Prime Minister later had a private audience with The King at Tashichhodzong. There, at the Grand Kuenrey, he joined The King & Queen in prayer before the relics of Sacred Buddha, brought to India & enshrined there for public pilgrimage until 17 November. They also inaugurated the Punatsangchu-II Hydroelectric Project, a joint initiative by their countries.

On November 12, before sending off Prime Minister Modi at Paro airport, His Majesty The Fifth King joined him & The Great Fourth on the inauguration of the Kalachakra 'Wheel of Time' Initiation and Empowerment at the Changlimithang Ground. The Three-Day (extension of the Global Peace Prayer) Festival was presided over by The Je Khenpo, and offered profound Vajrayana Buddhism teachings (on Buddha nature, the individual & universe) to thousands of well-wishers. It lasted until November 14 and was attended by the entire Royal Family. Meanwhile, on November 13, HM The Gyaltsuen (Queen) Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, 35, launched the photography book: "Bhutan: Portrait of a Kingdom" which features projects of world-renowned photographers - and talented amateurs, like The King - "celebrating the beauty, spirit & heritage of Bhutan". It was yet another dedication to The Fourth King, who on 15 November received 'Ku Sung Thuk Mendrels' by nearly 270 nuns from 14 countries, ahead of their full monastic ordination by The Je Khenpo. It was completed on November 20, when the new "Gelongmas" proceeded along Norzin Lam to receive their alms, the final event under the umbrella of Global Peace Festival.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born in Dechencholing Palace on 11 November 1955. On 21 July 1972, at the age of 16, he became The Fourth King of Bhutan (from the Wangchuck dynasty) upon the death of his Father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Back then Bhutan was a small, landlocked, underdeveloped Kingdom, lacking basic infrastructure. During his reign as an absolute Monarch, His Majesty initiated rapid industrialization projects that modernized Bhutan, rebuilt its Dzonghags (districts) through initiatives such as hydropower, tourism & human resources. He invested in quality education & healthcare, and launched the Gross National Happiness (GNH) - a pioneering philosophy & economic model, combining good governance, free & resilient culture, equitable socio-economic development & ecological sustainability. In 2003, he became the last Sovereign Commander-in-Chief to lead a military campaign against groups of insurgents in Bhutan-India border. A far-sighted leader, he decentralized the local governing model & drafted Bhutan's first Constitution, transforming the Kingdom into a parliamentary democracy. Before he saw his work's fruits flourish, he abdicated in favor of his eldest son on 9 December 2006, to guide him and the nation in their first steps of a new chapter in Bhutan's history. Furthermore, the constitution mandates that all dragon Kings (Druk Gyalpo) must retire by the age of 65. The Great Fourth retired at age 51; he is still active & healthy, married to four sisters (equally Gyalyum - Queens) since 1988, from all of whom he has ten children & 14 grandchildren. The current King is son of his third wife, Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, 66. His grandson, Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck is also guided by him. His birth expectation was announced at The Great Fourth's 60th Birth Anniversary Celebrations, on 11 November 2015, before he was born on 5 February 2016.

 

Additional material (Fabebook Live from The Fifth King's Speech):

https://www.facebook.com/KingJigmeKhesar/videos/1533717271088527

Sources: all exclusively coming from the official pages of:

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

www.facebook.com/QueenJetsun

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Royal Tradition & Controversy: Zulu King's Wedding

 

Throngs of Ama Zulu people, the largest ethnic group of South Africa, gathered in Nongoma town, Kwa-Zulu Natal, on Sunday November 9, 2025, to witness the traditional, yet controversial Royal Wedding of their Monarch to his third wife. Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini, 51, The Zulu King since 2022, married to Queen Nomzamo Myeni at the palace's kraal (sacred, fenced courtyard) in a day-long ceremony, the first traditional marriage of The Zulu Chief since his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu wed his last wife in 2014. Nomzamo Myeni is the only of King Misuzulu's four spouces to be granted an public wedding, which stirred controversy among members of the royal family, including his first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, who appealed to a court against the marriage, citing the validity of their own, civil union. This postponed the Royal Wedding, which was initially due to take place in late January 2025, but did not cancel it. Spokesperson of the Royal bride commented to the press that the wedding had gone ahead smoothly, regardless of the absence of several high-ranking siblings of The King, and called Myesi's extramarital children subject, due to which some considered the marriage improper, as "a private matter".

A series of contradicting statements brought confusion for a couple of weeks, about whether The Royal Wedding, set for the weekend of November 8-9 (2025), was going ahead or not. While VIP guests had received formal invitations on behalf of both Myeni & Zulu Royal families, Prince Thulani Zulu, the King's royal Spokesman, told that he was "not aware" about King Misuzulu's wedding. Another unverified statement of the wedding's cancelation due to a (royal) family death was declined by Myeni's foundation as fake news, assuring the nation that the ceremony was going ahead just days before the big weekend. The celebrations began on Friday, 7 November, with the umkhehlo (the traditional Zulu engagement) held at Jozini Stadium. During the ceremony, which began at 1:00pm (insted of initially planned 10:00am), the bride was "showered with gifts from the groom" with a delegation of kwaMinyamanzi Prince Vanana Zulu from and some 500 people from Jozini attending. Queen Nomzamo (the second of King Misuzulu's four consorts whose wedding was finalized), paid her respects to her husband-to-be and danced for the good part of the ceremony, under the dance and song programme, organized by The Nazareth Baptist Church.

King Misuzulu, who opted not to dance before the main wedding ceremony on Sunday (9 November), also paid on Friday evening a visit to his late father's senior wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini, to report his upcoming wedding according to the long-standing tradition. Saturday was a day of rest for The Nazareth Baptist Church Congregation, so the main umgcango ceremony took place Sunday afternoon at the kraal of kwaKhangelamankegane royal palace. The bride was dressed in her new family's ceremonial attire and accompanied by her family members to the kraal, where the main ceremony began with The King's arrival around 1pm. A cow was slaughtered at the kraal, symbolizing the formal acceptance of the new Queen into the Royal family and her introduction to the royal ancestors' spirits. A mixture of civil and religious marriage rites unfolded, and the Queen become emotional during the exchange of vows & rings (which she received kneeled in front of the King). Elements of Ama Zulu tradition were observed as well with the around thousand warriors & maidens joining the couple in song and dances. Notable absentees were senior members of Zulu royalty (Amakhosi) and army (Amabutho).

The traditional ceremony was followed by a Wedding reception at kwaKhangelamankegane Royal Palace, where pre-existing controversy over the Zulu King's matrimony persisted behind the walls. Initially, The King's marriage to Myeni was first planned for January 26, 2025. However, a surprise announcement came on 19 January, in which King Misuzulu called off his wedding to Nomzamo Myeni, and formally instructed the government of Kwa-Zulu Natal to remove all her security and royal benefits immediately. He cited "reasons beyond the control of the Royal House", while rumors of Myeni's infidelity spread, following reports that she had children before her marriage, whereas the Zulu monarch's bride is traditionally a virgin. This followed the appeal of Queen Ntokozo Mayisela (married civilly to King Misuzulu since 2021) to Pietermaritzburg High Court to interdict her husband's wedding as invalid. She cited the Civil Marriage Act law, forbidding polygamy during an existing marriage. The court, however, dropped her case as not urgent, arguing Mayisela could not prove that the traditional ceremony amounted to Civil Wedding, leading King Misuzulu to call it off until the case is subdued.

King Misuzulu's legal challenge by his first wife remains unresolved, as Queen Ntokozo pursues to halt his third marriage. Of a commoner background, Mayisela bore children to the Zulu King long before his accession in May 2021. They were then quickly married shortly after the death of his mother (whose brought Misuzulu to the throne), with the king offering the bridal price - loboba - to her family. In 2022 he married his second wife, Eswatini banker Nozizwe Mulela, although the final rites were unlikely completed. All wives of the Zulu King enjoy a state allowance, although those who have undergone a customary marriage (like Queen Nomzamo) are considered of higher hierarchy. On September 8, 2025, at the annual Reed Dance Festival organized by his uncle, King Mswati III of Eswatini, Misuzulu became engaged to Sihle Mdluli, a young member of the royalty of a small ethnic group from South Africa. Her position is privileged mainly because she comes from royal bloodline, although she is yet to be formally married to the Monarch. Divorce has not been common in Zulu tradition, unlike polygamy in the Royalty. The king can hold multiple traditional marriages, but has to endure his past problems.

Celebrations of The Zulu King & Queen's traditional Wedding were concluded on 10 November 2025. Several of the notable attendees - which included South African traditional Royalty & Nobility, as well as financial activists & politicians - held positive reflections on the customary ceremonies, that showed the rich cultural identity of Nguni communities, enables a meaningful cultural exchange to the attendees and stressed "the importance of Africans upholding the spirit of Ubuntu... the backbone of the continent's humanity and shared values" . King Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini, a unifying Chief of all Zulus, has yet to establish his reverence across the nation as his father had done in his almost 50 years of reign. After his death in March 2021, followed by that of his the Queen-Regent (Princess Mantfombi of Eswatini), their son's succession has been contested by senior half-brothers, even after the formal recognition of his coronation by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2022, entitling him to an annual state allowance. His first four years of reign, marked by family rilvaries, marriage instability & dispute of chairing over a financially lucrative land trust as a personal property, have brought concerns over some of political & royal analysts. However, his enduring persistence on his own resolve, and in particular the successful carrying out of his third (& first traditional) marriage, shows that the 9th Zulu King is here, even if his relative have legally acclaimed the President's decision to recognise him as invalid, prompting the possibility of a future investigation, unlikely to change the status quo.

Videos:

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misuzulu_Sinqobile

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-11-09-king-misuzulu-and-queen-myeni-finally-tie-the-knot/

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https://sierraexpressmedia.com/royal-celebration-king-misuzulu-and-queen/

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