Royal Profile: HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan was born 21 Februrary 1980, the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his father's third wife, Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger brother, sister, four half-sisters and three half-brothers. 

He became king of Bhutan on 14 December 2006, but was not crowned until 6 November 2008. He was crowned King of Bhutan when his father abdicated in his favor. During the time between 14 December 2006 and 6 November 2008, his father's powers were gradually transferred to him. 

For his education, he attend schools both in Bhutan and abroad. He completed his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, Bhutan. Then he attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and International Relations.

For official duties, he has represented Bhutan on several occasions and has an active role in numerous cultural, educational and economic organisations. He is an active basketball player and has represented Bhutan in many international events.

After he became king, he had many accomplishments. He began his reign overseeing the democratization of his country by presiding over the last sessions of the parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were deliberated.

King Jigme Khesar's first landmark project was the launching of the National Cadastral Resurvey in March 2009.

In October 2011, he married Jetsun Pema who is ten years his junior.