Bhutan expecting a new royal

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has announced that he and his wife Jetsum are expecting a son in February next year, as heir presumptive to the throne of Bhutan.

The announcement was made at the birthday celebrations of King Father Jigme Singye Wangchuk in Thimphu on Wednesday.

King Khesar married Jetsum Pema in October 2011 in a lavish ceremony.

The royals are both from large families – the King having a younger sister, three half-sisters and one half-brother whilst the Queen hails from one of Bhutan’s oldest noble families and is the second eldest of five children. Her elder sister is also the wife of the King’s brother.

Although Bhutan allows polygamy, Wangchuck has said he would never marry another woman and that Pema will be his only wife.