Never before has a photographer gotten so close to King Jigme of Bhutan, Queen Jetsun Pema, and their children. The result is breathtaking private photos from their state visit to Mongolia.
The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, ruled by King Jigme, 44, and his wife, Queen Jetsun Pema, 34, is one of the most remote countries in the world. It is a mysterious world on the eastern edge of the Himalayas between India and Tibet, far removed from Western life. Due to strict entry restrictions and the vast distance, few tourists get to see this area and the life of the Bhutanese royals. However, one photographer has managed to get closer to the royal family than anyone before.
King Jigme and Queen Jetsun Pema with their Kids in Unfamiliar Casual Attire
The stunning photos, posted by King Jigme and Queen Jetsun Pema on their official Instagram accounts on the afternoon of Monday, July 15, 2024, were taken by photographer Gan Ulzii Gonchig, who accompanied the royal family during their state visit to Mongolia from July 8 to 11. They wear sneakers, sunglasses, and tight shirts: Jigme, Jetsun, and their three children have never been seen so privately and dressed so casually.
Gan Ulzii Gonchig gushes: “It was an honor for me to photograph Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Bhutan, and their family in such a beautiful landscape of Mongolia and in such an intimate setting.” The photographer shows the family dune surfing or hiking with camels. In the photos, the Bhutanese royals look like ordinary tourists traveling through Mongolia.
Photographer Reveals Private Details About the Bhutanese Royals
Gan Ulzii Gonchig also reveals a few private details about the Bhutanese royal family:
I was amazed at how down-to-earth and friendly they were, something I really did not expect from the king and queen of a country. They were very kind and certainly very easy to photograph. Seeing them makes me think that Bhutan must truly be a place of happiness.
King Jigme and Queen Jetsun inform that Ulzii photographed them “during the state visit to Mongolia as the official photographer of the President of Mongolia.” The photos were taken in the Gobi Desert, which partially lies in Mongolia.
