My Quest to Become the Queen of Bhutan

The crowd surrounding me is full of people with kind, gentle eyes. I have never felt so safe before being in the midst of a surging mass of people. It seems like the entire kingdom of Bhutan has donned their finest to witness the coronation of their beloved fifth Dragon King. I stand amongst yak herders from the north, Hindus from the south and Layap people in their conical hats who have journeyed from the high mountains. As we stand under the vivid blue Himalayan sky all eyes are focused on the iron gates and outdoor stadium before us.

Suddenly, the human wall of police parts and the formidable gates open just a crack. It’s barely wide enough for me to sprint into the stadium before the gates are slammed shut again. The scene before me satiates all of my senses. It’s like looking through a kaleidoscope. The crowd is wearing bright blues, pinks, greens and yellows while the stadium floor is full of movement with spinning dancers donning masks of mythical creatures never to be found in the living animal kingdom. The intense high altitude sun beats on my skin and the sounds of clashing cymbals fills my ears.

We are all here for the same purpose; to celebrate the coronation of the new leader of this small traditional country and maybe even get a glimpse of the revered king. I also have a secret wish and girlish delusion that maybe, just maybe the king and I will lock eyes and he’ll see something special in this petite girl from Canada. Doesn’t every monarchy need a queen? The Dragon King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel, has a rare presence that radiates charisma without spoken words. He has warm eyes that emit compassion and goodness. I am smitten. It’s not just that he’s young and handsome; it’s more that he has already earned the adoration and respect of his country.

Then it happens. Isn’t the king supposed to observe regally from on high? Instead, the people’s king descends into the crowd. He is a striking figure with slicked back hair while wearing a traditional robe and regal yellow sash. He slowly wades and wanders through the masses; picking up a child, clasping the weathered hands of the elderly and draping silk white scarves around the necks of his people. There is one short moment where he looks up towards me. I catch my breath, but our eyes never meet.

As the king continues to move through the crowd, I reflect on my first few days in Bhutan. I knew I was going to experience a country steeped in tradition from the moment I stepped out of the plane and saw the large billboard with photos of all five kings and the words “100 years of Peace, Unity and Happiness”. I may not be the next queen of Bhutan, but I am privileged and blessed to have witnessed such a momentous day in Bhutan’s history.