Kesang Choden (queen)

Ashi Kesang Choden (born 21 May 1930) is the Queen Grandmother of Bhutan and the widow of the late Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.[1] 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.[2]

Not to be confused with Kesang Choden Wangchuck.
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.
Kesang Choden
Queen Grandmother of Bhutan
Kesang Choden in 1950
Druk Gyaltsuen
Tenure30 March 1952 – 21 July 1972
Coronation27 October 1952
PredecessorPhuntsho Choden
Pema Dechen
SuccessorDorji Wangmo
Tshering Pem
Tshering Yangdon
Sangay Choden
Born (1930-05-21) 21 May 1930
Bhutan House, Kalimpong, India
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1951; died 1972)​
IssueSonam Choden Wangchuck
Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Pema Lhaden Wangchuck
Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck
Names
Kesang Choden Wangchuck[fn 1]
HouseDorji (by birth)
Wangchuck (by marriage)
FatherGongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji
MotherMayeum Choying Wangmo Dorji
ReligionBuddhism
Kesang Choden behind her husband, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, on 30 January 1954.

Education

She was educated at the St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, India, as well as the House of Citizenship, London.

In her reminiscence, the Queen notes:

The Irish nuns of St. Joseph’s Convent were very 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 married Crown Prince of Bhutan (Druk Gyalsey), Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, at the Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace, Paro, on 5 October 1951.

She became Queen consort of Bhutan in 1952 when her husband, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, ascended to the throne upon the death of his father. In 1953 she was expecting her first child, a daughter. Her first daughter 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, Ashi Phuntsho Choden, her maid, and the Bhutanese doctor Phenchun helped to deliver her daughter.[3]

Her children with the Third Druk Gyalpo were:

  • Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Sonam Choden Wangchuck (born 1953).
  • Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck (born 1954).
  • King (Druk Gyalpo) Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born 1955).
  • Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Pema Lhaden Wangchuck (born 1959).
  • Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck (born 1961).

Royal duties

In 1972, she was appointed regent when her husband was ill. She 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.[1]

In commemoration of the Royal Grandmother's 87th birth anniversary, a book titled "The Heart of a Sacred Kingdom, Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck: A Lifetime of Service to the People and Kingdom of Bhutan" was published on Sunday 21 May 2017.[4]

Ancestry

References
  1. "Octogenarian grandmother of king to visit different holy places in state". Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  2. "Yeewongmagazine". Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
  3. "Her Majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck: Patron Queen of Bhutan: A Legacy of Devotion and Leadership". Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  4. "South Asian Monitor". Archived from the original on 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2017-05-31.

Notes
  1. Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.
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