On November 7th, 2008, His Majesty King Khesar of Bhutan gave his Coronation Address as the 5th Druk Gyalpo of the nation. He was overwhelmingly positive in regards to the future of his people and fiercely proud of their recent seamless transition to a democracy. 2008 was, indeed, a monumental year in Bhutan’s history, as they adopted their first modern Constitution. Formerly an absolute monarchy, Bhutan is now a multi-party democratic system in which the council of ministers, Lhengye Zhungtshog, wields executive power, the bicameral Parliament (made up of an upper National Council and a lower National Assembly) takes charge of legislative issues, and His Majesty is Head of State.
Although King Khesar lauded Bhutan’s progress, he simultaneously reminded his subjects that their ultimate goals of happiness and peace should not be overlooked. He warned, “Yet we must always remember that as our country, in these changing times finds immense new challenges and opportunities, whatever work we do, whatever goals we have – and no matter how these may change in this changing world – ultimately without peace, security and happiness we have nothing.” His Majesty went on to identify himself as a parent figure to the Bhutanese whose “duty is not only to ensure your happiness today but to create the fertile ground from which you may gain the fruits of spiritual pursuit and attain good Karma.” Finally, the eloquent monarch expanded his blessings to an international scale, ending his address by hoping he may “promote the greater wellbeing and happiness of all people in this world – of all sentient beings.”
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