Tshering Yangdon (born 21 June 1959) is the third wife of the former Bhutanese king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. She is the current Queen Mother (Gyalyum Kude) of Bhutan, as she is the mother of the current Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.[1] She is also the mother of King Jigme Khesar's two younger full siblings, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom (b. 1981) and Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji (b. 1986).
| Tshering Yangdon | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| Queen consort of Bhutan | |||||
| Tenure | 1979 – 9 December 2006 | ||||
| Co-queens consort | Dorji Wangmo Tshering Pem Sangay Choden | ||||
| Born | 21 June 1959 Nobgang, Punakha, Bhutan | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue | Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | ||||
| |||||
| House | Wangchuck (by marriage) | ||||
| Father | Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji | ||||
| Mother | Yum Thuiji Zam | ||||
| Religion | Buddhism | ||||
Biography
editHer father, Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji (1925–2019), was the Founder and Proprietor of Ugyen Academy (03/04/2002).[2] Her mother is Yum Thuiji Zam (b. 1932).
She was educated at St. Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, and St. Helen's School, Kurseong, India.
The name Tshering means "long life".
The name Yangdon (or Yangden) means "precious jewel", denotes prosperity and well-being.
Having a deep fondness for nature and the environment, Her Majesty is an avid gardener. Her Majesty is also very good in art and enjoys painting and sketching.[3]
Humanitarian causes
editThe Queen founded Bhutan Nun's Foundation (BNF) in March 2009.[4] The foundation's focus is to make nunneries a way to help and empower girls and women through education and economic self-sufficiency.[5]
She was responsible for the building of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten in Punakha Valley in 2004.
Children
editShe had, with the former king, the following children:
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
21 February 1980 | 13 October 2011 | Ashi Jetsun Pema[6] | Crown Prince Druk Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck[7] (5 February 2016) Prince Dasho Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck Princess Ashi Sonam Yangden Wangchuck |
| Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck (Photo) |
2 December 1981 | 29 October 2009 | Dasho Tandin Namgyel[8] | Ashi Dechen Yuidem Yangzom Wangchuck[9]
Dasho Ugyen Dorji Wangchuck Dasho Jigme Singye Wangchuck |
| Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (Photo) |
14 April 1986 | 17 October 2013 | Ashi Yeatso Lhamo[10] | Ashi Decho Pema Wangchuck (2014 (age 9–10))[11] |
Patronages
edit- Royal Patron of the Royal Society for the Protection and Care of Animals.[citation needed]
- Royal Patron of the Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition.[12]
Honours
edit- Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award [The International Women's Meditation Center Foundation] (2007).[13]
References
edit- ^ RAOnline. "RAOnline Bhutan: Bhutan's Royal Family - Member of Bhutan's Royal Family". www.raonline.ch.
- ^ "Ugyen Academy". www.ugyenacademy.edu.bt.
- ^ IWMCF
- ^ "News in Bhutan other than Dzongkha and English. – KuenselOnline". www.kuenselonline.com.
- ^ "Vision of Bhutan Nun's Foundation". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25.
- ^ "Royal Wedding: Bhutan King Weds Jetsun Pema". NDTV online. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
- ^ "Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema gives birth to crown prince". BBC. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
- ^ Bhutan Majestic Travel Archived 2013-05-10 at the Wayback Machine, Wedding news
- ^ "A book by youngest author launched - BBS". 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Royal Wedding". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19.
- ^ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Bhutan Flower Exhibition – Pursue Bhutan Tours : Travel Blog". pursuebhutantours.wordpress.com.
- ^ IWMCF
Notes
edit- ^ Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.
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