Commemorating 4th King’s Coronation Day

By the paramount benediction of the Triple Gem; the providence of the Guardian Deities; the devout prayers of our benevolent ancestors; and the good fortune of the people, Bhutan was blessed at the most opportune moment with an exceptional leader who achieved unimaginable success during His reign.

His Majesty prioritized above all else, the profound task of Nation-Building, and ensuring the survival of our country.

His Majesty’s principal objective throughout His reign was to ease the troubles of His people, fulfill their aspirations, and empower them so that the future of our nation would be invincible. In these endeavours, His Majesty succeeded beyond imagination.

His Majesty accomplished all this, and at the same time, tended to our natural environment in such a manner that Bhutan remains to this day, a haven of beauty in which beings of all realms may delight in.

His Majesty assumed the mantle and responsibilities of Kingship at the age of 16, when ordinary people are still growing up. By the age of 51, when most people are still striving to achieve their lifelong goals, His Majesty had already accomplished prodigious feats. Where ordinary people crave wealth and power, His Majesty, in an act of superlative altruism that was unprecedented in the history of the world, abdicated the throne, crowned a new King, introduced democracy and handed over the responsibility of governance to His people.

In all His actions, His Majesty was a farsighted visionary, a benefactor of His people, whose strategies for the country demonstrated impeccable clarity of thought, and whose realization of national objectives spoke of unassailable determination and excellent statesmanship.

This is why we revere His Majesty as the Father of the Nation.

We are gathered here to offer our gratitude, tribute and respects to His Majesty. There can be no greater tribute, expression of gratitude and respect, than the pledge that we will hand over to the next generation, an even stronger, even more prosperous, and even more successful nation, and serve our country in such a manner that thousands of generations after us will continue to reap the fruits of our labours.”

– His Majesty The King, 11 November 2015

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The Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was held on June 2, 1974. Today, in tribute to His Majesty’s visionary initiatives to conserve the rich environmental wealth of Bhutan, this day is celebrated as Social Forestry Day. Due to the farsighted policies of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan remains committed to keep for all time, more than 60 percent of our country under forest cover. More than half our forests are protected areas, allowing the rich flora and fauna of the Himalayas to flourish here. Even as Climate Change becomes a growing global issue, Bhutan remains carbon-negative. Our national achievements in conservation and stewardship of the environment, are just one among the numerous legacies of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, bequeathed to a fortunate people.

On this day, we join the people of Bhutan in offering our gratitude and tribute to our beloved Drukgyal Zhipa. May the rays of His Majesty’s benevolence, wisdom, and guidance forever shine upon the people of Bhutan.