Tshering Yangdon
Queen mother of Bhutan
Tenure9 December 2006 – present
PredecessorKesang Choden
Co-queen mothersDorji Wangmo
Tshering Pem
Sangay Choden
Born (1959-06-21) 21 June 1959 (age 64)
Nobgang, Punakha, Bhutan
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1979)​
IssueJigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Names
Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck[fn 1]
HouseWangchuck (by marriage)
FatherYab Dasho Ugyen Dorji
MotherYum Thuiji Zam
ReligionBuddhism

Queen Mother Tshering Yangdon (born 21 June 1959) is the third wife of the former Bhutanese king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. She is the current Queen Mother (Gyalyum Kude, literally meaning "Queen Mother") of Bhutan, as she is the mother of the current Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.[1] She is also the mother of King Jigme Khesar's two younger full siblings, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom (b. 1981) and Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji (b. 1986).

Biography

Her father, Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji (1925–2019), was the Founder and Proprietor of Ugyen Academy (03/04/2002).[2] Her mother is Yum Thuiji Zam (b. 1932).

She was educated at St. Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, and St. Helen's School, Kurseong, India.

The name Tshering means "long life".

The name Yangdon (or Yangden) means "precious jewel", denotes prosperity and well-being.

Having a deep fondness for nature and the environment, Her Majesty is an avid gardener. Her Majesty is also very good in art and enjoys painting and sketching.[3]

Humanitarian causes

The Queen founded Bhutan Nun's Foundation (BNF) in March 2009.[4] The foundation's focus is to make nunneries a way to help and empower girls and women through education and economic self-sufficiency.[5]

She was responsible for the building of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten in Punakha Valley in 2004.

Children

She had, with the former king, the following children:

Name Birth Marriage Issue
King Druk Gyalpo
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck		 (1980-02-21) 21 February 1980 (age 43) 13 October 2011 Ashi Jetsun Pema[6] Crown Prince Druk Gyalsey
Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck[7]
( (2016-02-05) 5 February 2016 (age 7))

Prince Dasho Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck
( (2020-03-19) 19 March 2020 (age 3))

Princess Ashi Sonam Yangden Wangchuck
((2023-09-09)9 September 2023) (age 4 months 12 days)

Princess Ashi
Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck (Photo)		 (1981-12-02) 2 December 1981 (age 42) 29 October 2009 Dasho Tandin Namgyel[8] Ashi Dechen Yuidem Yangzom Wangchuck[9]

Dasho Ugyen Dorji Wangchuck

Dasho Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Prince Gyaltshab
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (Photo)		 (1986-04-14) 14 April 1986 (age 37) 17 October 2013 Ashi Yeatso Lhamo[10] Ashi Decho Pema Wangchuck (2014 (age 9–10))[11]

Patronages

Honours

References

  1. ^ RAOnline. "RAOnline Bhutan: Bhutan's Royal Family - Member of Bhutan's Royal Family". www.raonline.ch.
  2. ^ "Ugyen Academy". www.ugyenacademy.edu.bt.
  3. ^ IWMCF
  4. ^ "News in Bhutan other than Dzongkha and English. – KuenselOnline". www.kuenselonline.com.
  5. ^ "Vision of Bhutan Nun's Foundation". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25.
  6. ^ "Royal Wedding: Bhutan King Weds Jetsun Pema". NDTV online. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  7. ^ "Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema gives birth to crown prince". BBC. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  8. ^ Bhutan Majestic Travel Archived 2013-05-10 at the Wayback Machine, Wedding news
  9. ^ "A book by youngest author launched - BBS". 2 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Royal Wedding". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19.
  11. ^ "His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck". www.facebook.com.
  12. ^ "Bhutan Flower Exhibition – Pursue Bhutan Tours : Travel Blog". pursuebhutantours.wordpress.com.
  13. ^ IWMCF

Notes

  1. ^ Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.
Tshering Yangdon House of WangchuckBorn: 21 June 1959 Bhutanese royalty Preceded byKesang Choden Queen consort of Bhutan 1979–2006with Dorji Wangmo Tshering Pem Sangay Choden Succeeded byJetsun Pema Preceded byKesang Choden Queen Mother of Bhutan 2006–presentwith Dorji Wangmo Tshering Pem Sangay Choden Incumbent
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