December 19: From Trashigang in the east to Paro in the west, southwards in Sarpang and central in Bumthang, their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses as His Majesty the King’s special representatives joined the people of different dzongkhags on December 17 to celebrate the historic Centenary National Day.


It was a day marked by clear blue skies. The sun of happiness was indeed shining across the Kingdom as the people celebrated the Centenary National Day.


In the nine Dzongkhags of Bumthang, Dagana, Paro, Haa, Tsirang, Trashigang, Sarpang, Trongsa and Monggar, the celebrations were graced by their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses.

Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck in Haa

In Haa the celebrations were graced by Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck joined the people of Paro in the celebrations.

Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck in Paro

Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck in Monggar

In Monggar, Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck joined the people in the Centenary National Day Celebrations.

Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck in Bumthang

Her Royal Highness Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck celebrated the Centenary National Day with the people of Bumthang.

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck in Trashigang

In the east, His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck celebrated the Centenary National Day with the people of Trashigang while in Tsirang, His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck joined the people in the celebrations.

HRH Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in Tsirang

Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck in Sarpang

In Sarpang, Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck graced the celebrations while in Dagana Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck was the guest of honour at the celebrations.

Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck in Dagana

Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck in Trongsa

Her Royal Highness Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck joined the people of Trongsa in the Centenary National Day celebrations.

At the celebrations, their Royal Highnesses the Princes and the Princesses were escorted in a chipdrel procession to the celebrations ground. Speaking to the people, their Royal Highnesses highlighted the selfless and exemplary leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. For the people of Bhutan, it was indeed an auspicious occasion to remind ourselves of the gift of democracy granted by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Majesty the King.

Their Royal Highnesses also conveyed the message of His Majesty the King thanking them for the spirit of oneness and community with which the Bhutanese celebrated the coronation of His Majesty the King, the centenary of Monarchy and the establishment of parliamentary democracy. Their Royal Highnesses informed the people that His Majesty the King will visit the Dzongkhags soon to meet with the people.

Ours is a nation that has been blessed by benevolent Monarchs. As we celebrated the Centenary National Day, their Royal Highnesses expressed their happiness being able to join them in the celebrations.

The Centenary National Day celebrations were held in different parts of the Kingdom’s 20 dzongkhags. The celebration at Changlimithang was broadcast LIVE on BBS TV and Radio. Like at all celebration venues in the kingdom, also in the dzongkhags graced by their Royal Highnesses, at 10 am, it was time to listen to His Majesty the King’s address on the occasion of the Centenary National Day.

In Monggar, coinciding with the day, Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck inaugurated a vegetable exhibition organized by the RNR Research Centre in Wengkhar.

While in Bumthang, Her Royal Highness Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck inaugurated the Chamkhar Ugyen Wangchuck ground.

The ground previously known as Chamkhar ground was renovated and renamed as Chamkhar Ugyen Wangchuck ground.

Meanwhile, in Trongsa, Her Royal Highness Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck launched three books entitled “ Play of the Omniscient – Life and Works of Jamgoen Ngawang Gyeltshen”, the “History of Bhutan – Druk Choesi ki rab” and the Biography of First King Ugyen Wangchuck.

At the celebrations, students and Dzongkhag dancers performed various cultural programme.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and the Princesses hosted tokha for the public gathered at the celebrations. Portraits and badges of His Majesty the King were distributed to the public. Their Royal Highnesses also presented soelras to elderly people.

From visiting remote villages in the rugged terrain of Bhutan’s rural interiors to find the ground reality of those in need of help to leading delegations to the capitals of the world to promote and showcase Bhutan’s traditional heritage, Their Royal Highnesses continue to play an active role in the social welfare and the overall development of the Kingdom.

Spanning from the spiritual to sports, Their Royal Highnesses have actively participated in numerous events as the nation celebrated the Centenary of the Monarchy and the Coronation of His Majesty the King. Mingling with the people as members of one family, the interaction of Their Royal Highnesses with the people of Bhutan will only strengthen the deep bond of fidelity between the people and the institution of monarchy.