King and Queen of Bhutan share a first glimpse of their 3-month-old daughter as the royal baby is officially named at a lavish ceremony

• The third child of the royals has been named Sonam Yangden Wangchuck 
• READ MORE: Jax Jones reveals Prince William told him Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ‘love’ his music

The royal family of Bhutan held a lavish naming ceremony yesterday to announce the name of their third child.

Three months after giving birth, Queen Jetsun Pema, 33, who has been dubbed the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas, and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 43, introduced Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem, who has been named Sonam Yangden Wangchuck.

The royal household shared the happy news and photographs of the glamorous celebrations on the Queen’s official Instagram account.

The post explained that Sonam is a Bhutanese name denoting ‘merit, longevity, and good fortune’.

The Queen, who already has two sons, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, seven, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, three, stunned in a traditional purple dress with gold patterning.

Queen Jetsun Pema (pictured) announced the name of her newborn daughter, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck (pictured) 

Meanwhile, Sonam was wrapped in a silk blush pink blanket and matching hat, which featured pink embellishments to echo the blanket. 

Sonam’s older brothers, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck looked equally adorable as they celebrated their sister and posed for photographs. 

The post explained: ‘Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem has been named Sonam Yangden Wangchuck.

‘Sonam is a Bhutanese name denoting merit, longevity and good fortune. The name Yangden, meaning precious jewel, signifies prosperity and wellbeing.

‘The naming ceremony was held at Tashichhodzong on the anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the Golden Throne in 2006. 

‘The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers and Members of the Royal Family were present for the ceremony.

‘Representatives of the Dratshang offered Ku Sung Thugten Mendrel. The Dzongdas, Thrizins, and Lam Netens of twenty dzongkhags, representing the people of Bhutan, made buelwa offerings.

‘Her Royal Highness, the third child of Their Majesties The King and Gyaltsuen, was born on September 9 this year.’ 

Three-month-old Sonam Yangden Wangchuck was wrapped in a stunning silk blanket for the naming ceremony 

Queen Jetsun Pema (left), King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (top centre), Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck (far right), and Prince Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck (left centre), celebrated Sonam at the ceremony

Earlier this year, the Queen joined world royalty at the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein of Jordan, and attended King Charles’ Coronation with her husband in London in early May. 

King Jigme, the hugely popular fifth Druk Gyalpo, studied in the UK and the US and ascended the throne in 2006, aged just 26 after his own father abdicated.

Unlike his son, who plans to have a monogamous marriage, the former King, who introduced democracy to Bhutan during his reign, has four wives, all sisters who he married on the same day.

But despite his own upbringing, the current monarch has made clear that he only plans to have one wife, whom he married on October 13, 2011, when she was still an international relations student at Regent’s College in London.

The match made headlines at the time because the young King was more openly affectionate with his wife than citizens were used to – leaving the couple to be called ‘the William and Kate of the Himalayas’. 

Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen put on a sweet display as they sat with their mother and younger sister 

Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem underwent a series of traditions at the ceremony from her mother’s arms 

The Bhutanese King and Queen married in 2011 – the same year that Prince William and Kate were wed – and have since welcomed thee children.

However, the King’s very public displays of affection – which included kissing his wife on the cheek and holding her hand – was well-received by young people, with many even choosing to follow the royals’ example.

The couple have an unusually close family, with the King’s sister and brother married to the Queen’s brother and sister.

The Queen’s older sister Yeatso Lhamo is married to the King’s brother Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. 

In September, Pema and Jigme were among the world leaders who travelled to London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Source: Read Full Article