Kesang Choden (born 1930)

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.

Bhutanese Royal Family
HM The Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) HM The Druk Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen) HM The Fourth Druk Gyalpo HM Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo HRH Princess Sonam Dechan HH Dasho Phub W. Dorji HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen HM Queen Mother Tshering Pem HRH Princess Chimi Yangzom HH Dasho Sangay Wangchuck HRH Princess Kesang Choden HH Dasho Palden Yoeser Thinley HRH Prince Ugyen Jigme HM Queen Mother Tshering Yangdon HRH Princess Dechen Yangzom HRH Prince Jigme Dorji HH Ashi Yeatso Lhamo HM Queen Mother Sangay Choden HRH Prince Khamsum Singye HRH Princess Euphelma Choden
Family of the Third Druk Gyalpo (deceased) HM The Queen Grandmother HRH Princess Sonam Choden HH Dasho Mila Singye HH Ashi Maytho HRH Princess Dechen Wangmo HH Dasho Zillnon Dorji HH Ashi Mendharawa Dorji HRH Princess Pem Pem HH Ashi Kesang Choden HRH Princess Kesang Wangmo HH Dasho Jigme Namgyel Dorji HH Ashi Tenzin Wangmo HH Dasho Singye Palden HH Dasho Ugyen Norbu

Queen Grandmother Kesang Choden is the Queen Grandmother of Bhutan.^[1] She participates in royal duties of her own accord. She is the only queen grandmother in the world.

Education

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

Marriage and Family

She became queen 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 and her maid and the Bhutanese doctor Phenchun helped to deliver her daughter.^[2]

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 Goenpa and Euto Goenpa in Paro, Nyala Goenpa in Trongsa and Jangsa Goenpa 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]

Patronages

• Patron of the Bhutan Foundation.
• Honorary Vice-President of the Siam Society (Bangkok).

Titles, styles, and honours

Titles and styles

• 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 of Bhutan (regent)
• 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), (16 November 2008).^[3]
  • King Jigme Khesar Investiture Medal (6 November 2008).

References