The Cambridges have got some competition in the cutest royal baby department from their counterparts in Bhutan, who are, incidentally, sometimes referred to as the Will and Kate of the Himalayas.
Born in February 2016 to King Jigme and Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, affectionately known as the Dragon Prince, has grown tremendously in the last year, taking after both his parents in the looks department. Just look at that head of hair he was born with!
The little boy recently celebrated his first birthday on 5 February 2017, commemorating the occasion with official photos taken with his toy car. The photos were used in Yellow’s (a Bhutanese publication) calendar for February.
This isn’t the little prince’s first calendar appearance. Back in September 2016, he was photographed by his dad dressed in the Bhutanese traditional garb.
The Prince and his parents were the faces of the October 2016 calendar as 13 October is the date of the King and Queen’s wedding anniversary.
All three members of the royal family were featured in Yellow’s December 2016 calendar.
It’s as if we are all watching The Gyalsey – which means Prince, grow up month by month. Here he is with a puffy jacket keeping him warm, laughing and playing with his parents.
The little royal one may have just turned one, but he is already revered by many.
He has been blessed with some of the most sacred and exalted artefacts of his people, and has already started his royal duties with his dad the King.
We can only imagine the weight of responsibility on his shoulders this young Prince will have as he grows up. If anything, he already has a lot to live up to with his name. According to the King, Jigme means fearless, symbolising great courage to overcome any challenges the Prince may face in the future as he serves the country. Namgyel means victorious, taken from the revered Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who enabled the Dharma to flourish as prophesied by Guru Rinpoche. Lastly, Wangchuck is the name of the current dynasty.
And that’s not all. When it’s time for the Prince to take his throne, he would have to “always place the concerns of his country above all else and serve his people justly with great love and dedication. It will be his sacred responsibility to build a harmonious and just society, and thereby, fulfil all the aspirations of his people. He must live such a life as a good human being and serve his country in a manner that it will be exemplary and worthy of emulation.”
We think that’s a lot for the little Prince to think about now, but when the time comes, with the guidance of his wonderful parents, we know he’ll do just fine.
For last week’s trendy tot, click here.
