Posting the images taken by Gan Ulzii Gonchig on their official Instagram accounts, the shots show the Bhutanese royals at their most relaxed as they enjoy a camel ride in the Gobi Desert.
In an action shot, the couple’s eldest son and future king, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, known as the Dragon Prince, eight, is also pictured sandboarding. Another snap shows the young prince on a three-wheeled motorcycle with his mother.
A series of scenic photographs taken in the desert also highlights the close bond between King Jigme Khesar, Queen Jetsun Pema, and their three children. In addition to Prince Jigme Namgyel, the couple are parents to their second son, Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, four, and their ten-month-old daughter, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck.
The images capture the family of five posing in front of a stunning sunset, with the queen holding her wriggling, smiling daughter while her husband and sons hold hands. In another picture, King Jigme Khesar coos at his daughter as Queen Jetsun Pema beams. A sweet close-up shot shows Sonam gazing directly at the camera as her proud father holds her in his arms.
Gan Ulzii Gonchig spoke about being chosen to be the Bhutan royal family’s official photographer on their Mongolia State Visit, saying: “I was honoured to have the opportunity to photograph Their Majesties The King and Queen of Bhutan and their family in such a beautiful landscape of Mongolia, and in an intimate setting.
“I was amazed by how down-to-earth and friendly they were, which I had really not expected from the King and Queen of a country. They were very kind and certainly very easy to photograph. Seeing them, I think Bhutan must really be a place of happiness.”
