The young Bhutanese royal turned one on September 9, and to mark the occasion, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema shared two beautiful new photos of their daughter.
In the images, taken at Lingkana Palace, Princess Sonam is seen wearing a stunning traditional outfit in a vibrant magenta color. One photo captures her gazing off into the distance, lost in thought, while the other shows her smiling joyfully and clapping her hands.
Although she is now a year old, the King and Queen did not reveal Princess Sonam’s name until December 2023, following Bhutanese royal tradition, which dictates that a child’s name is shared only after the official naming ceremony.
These sweet birthday photos come just weeks after the royal family enjoyed a trip to Mongolia, where the King and Queen made an official state visit.
During the trip, private family photos were shared, showing the couple with their three children: eight-year-old Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, known as the Dragon Prince; four-year-old Prince Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck; and their baby daughter, Princess Sonam.
In a heartwarming series of images posted on the royal couple’s Instagram, the family was seen spending quality time together. One charming snapshot featured Queen Jetsun Pema holding her wriggling, smiling daughter, while the King and their sons stood beside them. Another touching moment showed King Jigme snuggling with his youngest child. The family also enjoyed a memorable camel ride across the Gobi Desert.
Their photographer, Gan Ulzii Gonchig, shared his thoughts on photographing the royal family during their Mongolia visit, saying, “It was an honor to capture Their Majesties and their family in the breathtaking landscapes of Mongolia.
“I was struck by how humble and friendly they were, which is not what I expected from a King and Queen. They were very kind and so easy to photograph. Seeing them together, it’s clear why Bhutan is known as a place of happiness.”
