The phrase “a down-to-earth king” or “a people-friendly ruler” is used to describe many a monarch around the world.
But it seems a particularly apt description for the King of Bhutan, after a picture of him preparing a meal for a school in the country went viral on social media.
In the picture, King Jigme Khesa Namgyel Wangchuck is seen dressed simply and chopping onions and chillies to prepare a meal for students of a community school in the town of Mongar.
The photograph first appeared in a tweet by Harsh Goenka, chairman of industrial conglomerate RPG Enterprises, on May 19, and quickly spread online.
India-based Hindustan Times said that the picture was the most trending topic on Facebook on May 24.
The Huffington Post said that the photo “shows that The Dragon King, as he is often called, is equal parts powerful and humble”.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, an Oxford graduate, was officially crowned the fifth king of the tiny Himalayan country in 2008. In 2011, he married Queen Jetsun Pema, who had been born a commoner.
@hvgoenka he is the most beloved King in Bhutan. So much so that people don’t want democracy and want Royalty
— (@swatrisha) May 19, 2016
The popular royal couple are no strangers to social media fame. They also made news in February this year after announcing the birth of their first child, a son. In April, a high profile meeting with Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate also made headlines.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is also in Bhutan, arriving on Monday (May 23) for a four day visit.
According to Kuensel, the Thai royal met with the King and Queen, and visited a monestary and also a school to check on the progress of projects she funded in 2012.
Jetsun Pema Facebook
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