King Remembered
Tribute to His Majesty, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo
Our friendship with the people of Bhutan has brought my family great joy, and we are deeply appreciative to the Royal Family for a lifetime of memories. Now shared by the fourth generation, the relationship began when Her Majesty Ashi Kesang and I were classmates in England. We have seen ... [more]
The Great Development Architect
It raised high expectations when I received instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark to set up the first Danida office in Bhutan in the early 1990s. The Kingdom of Denmark had identified the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan as one of its priority development partners, and the challenge ... [more]
Sensitive Mind & Modern Outlook
In the contemporary world of changing political systems, it is not often that one comes across a personality like that of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, whose sensitive mind and the modern outlook sustains the unity of the state and obtains the loyalty of the people. I ... [more]
People at the Centre of Development
It is with deepest respect and greatest admiration that I write this message to pay my highest tribute to His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of His Majesty the King, the Kingdom of Bhutan has clearly made tremendous achievements in the political, economic and ... [more]
For All Time to Come
Just before sunrise on this tropical island that is my adopted home, the ocean breeze is translucent, gentle rain showers blessings, and birds sing their hearts out in anticipation of a beautiful day. It is my favourite time fro a quiet reflection. And this morning was especially quiet and more ... [more]
Enlightened Monarchy
Never in the history of human Endeavour, relating to the small nation state, has so much been done by just one person for the enduring benefit of so many people! Further, those people who have benefited are not just Bhutanese, but people beyond the kingdom of Bhutan, indeed right around ... [more]
A Remarkable Experiment
Shortly after we arrived in Thimphu for the first time, Adrienne Clarkson (then governor general of Canada) and I were climbing those very steep stairs, from floor to floor, for an official meeting with the King. We hadn't yet adjusted to the altitude and were puffing away, although the Bhutanese ... [more]
A Natural Leader
I first met Crown Prince Jigme in 1966 when he arrived at Heatherdown, a well known prep school in Ascot at which I had been a pupil for two years. We were both 10 years of age and soon found we shared many of the same interests, especially in relation ... [more]
A King Remembered
It has been a remarkable privilege to have known His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo for some thirty-seven years. It was in 1970 that I was invited by Her Majesty Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck to help her set up the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Paro and to teach science and ... [more]
A King of the People
During many of my visits to Bhutan as Chairman of the German Ngo ‘Pro Bhutan Association', I have enjoyed the great honour and privilege to be received by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.His Majesty always graced our work in Bhutan and showed great interest in our humanitarian projects in ... [more]