Kesang Choden (born 1930)

Not to be confused with the two Bhutanese princesses also named Kesang Choden

Kesang Choden
Queen Grandmother of Bhutan
Queen consort of Bhutan
Tenure 30 March 1952 – 21 July 1972
Coronation 27 October 1952[1]
Predecessor Phuntsho Choden
Pema Dechen
Successor Dorji Wangmo
Tshering Pem
Tshering Yangdon
Sangay Choden
Born (1930-05-21) 21 May 1930
Bhutan House, Kalimpong, India
Spouse Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
(m. 1951; d. 1972)
Issue Sonam Choden Wangchuck
Dechan Wangmo Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Pema Lhaden Wangchuck
Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck
Full name
Kesang Choden [fn 1]
House Wangchuck (by marriage)
Father Gongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji
Mother Mayeum Choying Wangmo Dorji
Religion Buddhism

This name uses Bhutanese naming customs. Bhutanese people have two given names, neither of which is a surname or family name unless they are descended from royal or noble lineages.

Queen Grandmother Kesang Choden is the Queen Grandmother of Bhutan.[2] She participates in royal duties of her own accord. She is the only queen grandmother in the world. In Bhutan she is called The Royal Grandmother.[3]

Education

She was educated at the St Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, India, as well as the House of Citizenship, London.[4]

In her reminiscence, Her Majesty notes:

The Irish nuns of St. Joseph’s Convent werevery well educated and taught us well. The nuns were most kind and loving to me and I in turn loved and respected them greatly.

Marriage and Family

She became Queen consort of Bhutan in 1952 when she her husband the king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ascended to the throne upon the death of his father. In 1954 she was expecting her first child. Her first child arrived earlier than she expected as she was waiting for a Western doctor and her mother to travel to Thimphu to help with the delivery. The previous queen Phuntsho Choden, her maid, and the Bhutanese doctor Phenchun helped to deliver her daughter.[5]

Royal duties

In 1972, she was appointed regent when her husband was ill. Her Majesty has also been a patron of annual prayers conducted for the well-being and security of the King, country, and the people. She provides subsistence allowance to about 200 monks and tshampas (lay monks) in various monasteries in Bumthang, Dokar Phurdrub Gompa and Euto Gompa in Paro, Nyala Gompa in Trongsa and Jangsa Gompa in Kalimpong, India. She also has a keen interest in preserving the unique art, architecture and cultural heritage of Bhutan and in promoting research and scholarship on the kingdom. She often visits religious places in Bhutan and India.[2]

Patronages

Titles, styles, and honours

Titles and styles

Honours

References

  1. ↑ Royal Ark
  2. 1 2 "Octogenarian grandmother of king to visit different holy places in state". Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Yeewongmagazine
  4. ↑ Royal Ark
  5. ↑ "Her Majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck: Patron Queen of Bhutan: A Legacy of Devotion and Leadership". Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Royal Ark
  7. ↑ Royal Ark
  8. ↑ Bhutan Todays
  9. ↑ Royal Ark
  10. ↑ Royal Ark
  1. ↑ Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.
Kesang Choden (born 1930)
Born: 21 May 1930
Bhutanese royalty
Preceded by
Phuntsho Choden		 Queen Grandmother of Bhutan
2006–present 		Incumbent
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