Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Not to be confused with the two Bhutanese princesses also named Kesang Choden 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. 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.
Education
She was educated at the St Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, India, as well as the House of Citizenship, London.
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.
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.
Patronages
- Patron of the Bhutan Foundation.
- Honorary Vice-President of the Siam Society (Bangkok).
Titles, styles, and honours
Titles and styles
- 21 May 1930 - 5 October 1951: Ashi Kesang Choden.
- 5 October 1951 - 30 March 1952: Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuk.
- 30 March 1952 - 21 July 1972: Her Majesty The Queen of Bhutan.
- 22 Apr 1972 - 21 July 1972: Her Majesty The Queen Regent of Bhutan.
- 21 July 1972 - 9 December 2006: Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan.
- 9 December 2006 – present: Her Majesty The Queen Grandmother of Bhutan.
Honours
Bhutan :
King Jigme Singye Investiture Medal (2 June 1974).
Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal of King Jigme Singye (2 June 1999).
Order of the Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo), First Class (16 November 2008).
King Jigme Khesar Investiture Medal (6 November 2008).
King Jigme Singye Investiture Medal (2 June 1974).
Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal of King Jigme Singye (2 June 1999).
Order of the Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo), First Class (16 November 2008).
King Jigme Khesar Investiture Medal (6 November 2008).