Succession to the Bhutanese throne
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- 4 chapters
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ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursOrder of succession
- King Jigme Singye, The Fourth Druk Gyalpo (b. 1955)
- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel, The Fifth Druk Gyalpo (b. 1980)
- (1) Prince Jigme Namgyel, The Druk Gyalsey (b. 2016)
- (2) Prince Jigme Ugyen (b. 2020)
- (3) Princess Sonam Yangden (b. 2023)
- (4) Prince Jigyel Ugyen (b. 1984)
- (5) Prince Khamsum Singye (b. 1985)
- (6) Prince Jigme Dorji, The Gyaltshab (b. 1986)
- (7) Ashi Decho Pema (b. 2014)
- (8) Prince Ugyen Jigme (b. 1994)
- (9) Princess Chimi Yangzom (b. 1980)
- (10) Dasho Jigme Ugyen (b. 2006)
- (11) Dasho Jamyang Singye (b. 2009)
- (12) Princess Sonam Dechen (b. 1981)
- (13) Dasho Jigje Singye (b. 2009)
- (14) Dasho Jigme Jigten (b. 2013)
- (15) Princess Dechen Yangzom (b. 1981)
- (16) Dasho Ugyen Dorji
- (17) Dasho Jigme Singye
- (18) Ashi Dechen Yuidem Yangzom
- (19) Princess Kesang Choden (b. 1982)
- (20) Dasho Jamgyel Singye
- (21) Dasho Ugyen Junay
- (22) Ashi Tshering Tshoyang (b. 2019)
- (23) Princess Euphelma Choden (b. 1993)
- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel, The Fifth Druk Gyalpo (b. 1980)
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Eligibility
The legitimate descendants of King Ugyen Wangchuck are presently entitled to succeed. If a king dies leaving a pregnant wife, the unborn child will automatically assume a place in the line of succession if there is no male heir. A person loses his or her succession rights if he or she marries a person who is not a natural born Bhutanese citizen.
Regency
If the successor to the throne has not reached the age of majority of 21 or is mentally or physically incapable of performing his functions, there are two possible outcomes:
- The heir presumptive having reached the age of majority would serve as regent until the regency is not needed.
- The Council of Regency would exercise the royal prerogatives of the king under the constitution if an eligible heir presumptive or other suitable member of the royal family is not available.
Council of Regency
The council of regency is composed of:
- A senior member of the Royal Family nominated by the Privy Council
- The Prime Minister
- The Chief Justice of Bhutan
- The Speaker
- The Chairperson of the National Council
- The Leader of the Opposition Party
The members of the Council of Regency must take an oath of allegiance before parliament to faithfully discharge their duties.
The Privy Council consists of two members appointed by the monarch (or previous monarch if the current monarch hasn't appointed any), one member nominated by the Council of Ministers (Lhengye Zhungtshog) and one member nominated by the National Council.