Showing posts with label Royal Wedding. Show all posts

Monday, October 22, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Sultan of Brunei's Daughter's Wedding May Cost $20 Million, is Going on for a Week

Possibly the most lavish wedding the world has ever seen happened Friday, in Brunei, where the Sultan's daughter Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, 32, married a 29-year-old civil servant. The ongoing week-long celebration is estimated to involve 2,000 guests and will end this Sunday night when the newlyweds are presented at court. The ceremony itself, according to the UK paper The Daily Mail, took place in the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, a 1,700 room palace that's home to the Sultan and his family. The princess's older brother, heir to the throne of Brunei, married in 2004 at a speculated cost of $5 million, reports say, but wedding planner Maya Kalman, founder of Swank Productions in New York City confirmed Yahoo! Shine's suspicion that this wedding might cost much more than that. "The rule of thumb for our average luxury wedding is $1,000 per guest," Kalman says. "I would guesstimate that a no-holds-barred event like this could easily be $15 to $20 million." Those figures include only wedding itself. Additional celebrations throughout the week could be an additional $15 to $20 million, Kalman speculates. --Valerie Isakova

In this photo, Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah attends a ceremony ahead of the wedding. In Muslim countries like Brunei, "A wedding is a reflection of your family, culture and values," says Saukok Tiampo, founder of the 57Grand line of bridal wear and editor-in-chief of Revel-Blog.com. "It's different from an American wedding, which reflects more on yourselves and your love for each other." The princess is the fifth child of the Sultan and his wife, Queen Saleha.

The cost of clothing for such a series of events is enormous. Here, the groom, Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini, wears a formal outfit that Tiampo says "cost $10,000, off-the-cuff." The fabric, she says, appears to be pineapple fiber woven with golden thread. "The pineapple fibers are a bit sheer," she says, "and in warmer climates people want to wear something that's cool but formal. With the gold thread it would be in the hundreds of dollars a yard."

The Sultan and his wife look happy. With 12 children from three wives and at least one already married, the Sultan, 66, may be looking forward to a day when he'll be done hosting weddings. This week's affair, despite being by no means budget, did away with a traditional procession through the capital in an open gilded Rolls Royce that was costly in terms of crowd control and security.

The princess's dress in this photo, Tiampo says, could cost around $20,000. Considering that the bride will change outfits around three times a day during the week of ceremonies, that could be up to $420,000 in wardrobe. This dress uses around 20 yards of custom, elaborately beaded lace. The lace alone would cost between $100 and $200 a yard and the fabric appears to be custom dyed. The tulle veil and tiara (presumably property of Brunei) are not traditional, and show a Western, modern influence.

See all those guests? They're "a huge planning challenge to move around," Kalman said. Heads of state do not ride shuttle busses. If you needed only 1 car for every four guests, at a typical rate of $200 a car, it would be $100,000 in cars alone per event. The Sultan also might be sending private planes for important guests, which can cost about $10,000 per person.

Muslim weddings require many different ceremonies throughout the week, event-planner Kalman says. In the one pictured here, Brunei's Queen, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, applies ceremonial paste to Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah's hands. Price for additional events? Another $15 to $20 million.

It's not all expenditures for a wedding in Brunei, however. This picture shows a ceremony in the Throne Hall, where the wedding was held today. Kalman notes that it does not appear to be traditional to use flowers--there aren't any in any of the photos--(a big expense for American weddings) and that "They're going to save a lot of money on alchohol! It's going to be a dry wedding!"

image and article credit: http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/sultan-bruneis-daughters-wedding-might-slideshow/-photo-2509746-185100946.html

hoto by: Wenn.com
In this photo, Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah attends a ceremony ahead of the wedding. In Muslim countries like Brunei, "A wedding is a reflection of your family, culture and values," says Saukok Tiampo, founder of the 57Grand line of bridal wear and editor-in-chief of Revel-Blog.com. "It's different from an American wedding, which reflects more on yourselves and your love for each other." The princess is the fifth child of the Sultan and his wife, Queen Saleha.
less
Photo by: Wenn.com

The cost of clothing for such a series of events is enormous. Here, the groom, Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini, wears a formal outfit that Tiampo says "cost $10,000, off-the-cuff." The fabric, she says, appears to be pineapple fiber woven with golden thread. "The pineapple fibers are a bit sheer," she says, "and in warmer climates people want to wear something that's cool but formal. With the gold thread it would be in the hundreds of dollars a yard."
less
Photo by: Wenn.com

The Sultan and his wife look happy. With 12 children from three wives and at least one already married, the Sultan, 66, may be looking forward to a day when he'll be done hosting weddings. This week's affair, despite being by no means budget, did away with a traditional procession through the capital in an open gilded Rolls Royce that was costly in terms of crowd control and security.
less
Photo by: Wenn.com

The princess's dress in this photo, Tiampo says, could cost around $20,000. Considering that the bride will change outfits around three times a day during the week of ceremonies, that could be up to $420,000 in wardrobe. This dress uses around 20 yards of custom, elaborately beaded lace. The lace alone would cost between $100 and $200 a yard and the fabric appears to be custom dyed. The tulle veil and tiara (presumably property of Brunei) are not traditional, and show a Western, modern influence.
less
Photo by: Wenn.com

See all those guests? They're "a huge planning challenge to move around," Kalman said. Heads of state do not ride shuttle busses. If you needed only 1 car for every four guests, at a typical rate of $200 a car, it would be $100,000 in cars alone per event. The Sultan also might be sending private planes for important guests, which can cost about $10,000 per person.
less
Photo by: Getty

Muslim weddings require many different ceremonies throughout the week, event-planner Kalman says. In the one pictured here, Brunei's Queen, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, applies ceremonial paste to Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah's hands. Price for additional events? Another $15 to $20 million.
less
Photo by: Wenn.com

It's not all expenditures for a wedding in Brunei, however. This picture shows a ceremony in the Throne Hall, where the wedding was held today. Kalman notes that it does not appear to be traditional to use flowers--there aren't any in any of the photos--(a big expense for American weddings) and that "They're going to save a lot of money on alchohol! It's going to be a dry wedding!"

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Royal Wedding

Bhutan's royal wedding

The king of Bhutan married his commoner bride in an ancient Buddhist ceremony at the country's most sacred monastery fortress.

Bhutan's Dragon King married a young commoner in an ancient Himalayan monastic fortress, sipping a chalice of ambrosia symbolising eternal life in a Buddhist wedding that has transfixed a reclusive kingdom slowly embracing globalisation.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.
As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's

Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the

Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.

The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage

But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.

The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and

He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.
Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.
As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.
Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".
Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.
The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.
But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.
The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.
He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.

1. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
2. In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.
3. Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.
4. As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.
5. Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".
6. Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.
7. The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.
8. But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.
9. The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.
10. He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.
11. After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.
12. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck,left, and Queen Jetsun Pema sit during Buddhist blessings prior to their marriage at the Punakha Dzong, in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.
Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.
As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.
Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".
Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.
The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.
But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.
The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.
He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.
After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck,left, and Queen Jetsun Pema sit during Buddhist blessings prior to their marriage at the Punakha Dzong, in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, right, Queen Jetsun Pema, center, greet locals during a celebration after they were married at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday in the 17th century monastic fortress.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, left, greets the media and guests as Queen Jetsun Pema looks on after they were married at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (L) holds a child while greeting villagers with Queen Jetsun Pema after their wedding in Bhutan's ancient capital Punakha October 13, 2011. Bhutan's "Dragon King" married a commoner in a Himalayan monastic fortress on Thursday, sipping a chalice of ambrosia symbolizing eternal life, in a wedding that has transfixed a reclusive kingdom slowly embracing globalization.

Image and Article Credit: yahoo.india

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.
Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.
As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.
Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".
Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.
The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.
But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.
The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.
He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.
After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck,left, and Queen Jetsun Pema sit during Buddhist blessings prior to their marriage at the Punakha Dzong, in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, right, Queen Jetsun Pema, center, greet locals during a celebration after they were married at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday in the 17th century monastic fortress. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, left, greets the media and guests as Queen Jetsun Pema looks on after they were married at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies Thursday. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (L) holds a child while greeting villagers with Queen Jetsun Pema after their wedding in Bhutan's ancient capital Punakha October 13, 2011. Bhutan's "Dragon King" married a commoner in a Himalayan monastic fortress on Thursday, sipping a chalice of ambrosia symbolizing eternal life, in a wedding that has transfixed a reclusive kingdom slowly embracing globalization. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (BHUTAN - Tags: ...more
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema greet villagers after their wedding in Bhutan's ancient capital Punakha October 13, 2011. Bhutan's "Dragon King" married a commoner in a Himalayan monastic fortress on Thursday, sipping a chalice of ambrosia symbolizing eternal life, in a wedding that has transfixed a reclusive kingdom slowly embracing globalization.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.
In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

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Monday, October 22, 2012

Kareena Kapoor

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Wedding

Sultan of Brunei's Daughter's Wedding May Cost $20 Million, is Going on for a Week

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Royal Wedding

Bhutan's royal wedding The king of Bhutan married his commoner bride in an ancient Buddhist ceremony at the country's most sacred monastery fortress.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.

Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".

Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.

The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.

But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.

The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.

He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.

Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".

Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.

The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.

But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.

The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.

He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.

Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".

Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.

The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.

But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.

The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.

He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

Oxford-educated Wangchuck, 31, is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy wedged between India and China in a conflict-ridden region.

As the mist slowly lifted, Buddhist horns sounded across the Punakha valley as the bride arrived in a procession of singers, relatives and Buddhist monks across an ancient footbridge, all led by a white horse. Baby elephants guarded one of the fortress's entrances.

Posters of the couple adorn almost every building, lamppost and roundabout in the capital, Thimphu, three hours drive away. School children have published poems in the queen's honour, calling her "the moon, a beautiful heroine and the lotus flower".

Monks have held dawn prayer sessions in remote mountain valleys and Bhutan's airline has had to add extra flights to deal with the demand of visitors from abroad.

The 31-year-old monarch is known as the "people's king" for his relaxed manner with his subjects, and - sporting sideburns and swept-back hair - he is a pin-up for many teenage girls as far away as Thailand.

But Bhutan's fifth king, affectionately known as K5, also provides the checks and balances on an unsure democracy where political parties did not exist four years ago.

The new king, a keen basketball player and archer, has jettisoned that reclusive and elitist image. He lives in a cottage in Thimphu, and often invites his subjects for tea.

He has spent months touring Bhutan's remote villages - often walking among villagers holding his bride-to-be by the hand.

After his wedding, the king walked around thousands of many villagers who waited outside the fortress, patting children on the head and shaking hands in gestures unheard from previous monarchs.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others hit drums, as white incense drifted through the morning mist.

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Bhutan's royal wedding

The king of Bhutan married his commoner bride in an ancient Buddhist ceremony at the country's most sacred monastery fortress.