Meet Queen Jetsun Pema, the ‘Kate Middleton of the Himalayas’: Bhutan’s ‘Dragon Queen’ paid her respects at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral with King Jigme Khesar, and studied art at Regent’s in London

Sep 23 , 2022

Queen Jetsun Pema and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge after a ceremonial welcome and audience at Taschichho Dzong in April 2016, in Thimphu, Bhutan. Photo: Getty Images

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in Westminster Abbey and joined King Charles’ reception at Buckingham Palace

It’s not the first time the world’s youngest queen consort made news – she met Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2016, but did you know her husband is actually her distant cousin?

Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on September 19 brought a slew of dignitaries and luminaries who were exclusively invited to Westminster Abbey to say their final farewell. Among the rosters of names were King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan who left quite an impression on many spectators.

The two later joined hundreds of guests for a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles, reported My London.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, ahead of her funeral. Photo: PA Wire

Queen Jetsun Pema is often regarded by the natives as the Druk Gyaltsuen, which translates to the “Dragon Queen”, per People. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan itself is known as “The Land of the Thunder Dragon” and thus their queen is given such a mythical royal honour.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema arrive for the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in central London, on September 19. Photo: AP

So, what do we know about the world’s youngest queen consort – and why is she regarded as the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas?

Queen Jetsun Pema comes from one of the noblest families in Bhutan

Bhutan’s Queen Jetsun Pema is currently the world’s youngest queen consort. Photo: @queenjetsunpema/ Instagram

While she married into Bhutan’s royal family, Queen Jetsun Pema is a blue blood herself. Born in Thimphu, Bhutan, her father Dhondup Gyaltshen is the grandson of two Trashigang governors while her mum Aum Sonam Choki comes from the aristocrat family of Bumthang Pangtey, one of Bhutan’s oldest noble families, per Jetsun.

It’s reported that her maternal grandfather was the half-brother to two of Bhutan’s queen consorts, too, per Drukasia. She and her husband are distant cousins, according to Royal Central.

She is the second eldest of five children and her older sister, Ashi Yeatso Lhamo, also married into the royal family – she wedded one of the king’s brothers, Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, per the same source.

She speaks three languages and studied in the UK

Bhutan’s Queen Jetsun Pema is considered the “Dragon Queen” of her country. Photo: @queenjetsunpema/Instagram