Bhutanese Monarch’s Historic Visit to Australia Excites Diaspora

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan is set to make a historic visit to Australia, marking his first trip to the continent and the first such visit by a Bhutanese head of state. The king’s visit is scheduled from October 10 to 16 and includes engagements with the Bhutanese community and business leaders in Sydney, Canberra, and Perth, according to Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Deki, a 23-year-old resident of Armidale, New South Wales, expressed her excitement, noting that she has been “sleepless” since the announcement of the visit. Deki, along with about 60 members of Armidale’s Bhutanese community, will travel to Sydney by train to meet the king, a journey that will take over eight hours. The community’s anticipation is further underscored by those flying in from various parts of Australia.

The enthusiasm is palpable in the Bhutanese diaspora, which numbers over 35,000 in Australia, resulting in an overwhelming number of registrations for the royal audience. Chhimi Dorji, president of the Association of Bhutanese in Perth, highlighted the deep love and respect the community holds for their monarch, noting that many people applied for leave immediately upon hearing of the royal visit.

King Jigme Khesar is revered in Bhutan for his role in transforming the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 2008. His reign is credited with fostering national unity amid the divisive nature of party politics. The king’s dedication to public service, exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic through his direct engagement with citizens and the implementation of various relief strategies, has further cemented his status as a beloved leader.

One of the king’s current projects is the development of what is set to be the world’s first ‘Mindfulness City‘ in Gelephu, located in southern Bhutan. The project aims to attract foreign investment and encourage the return of Bhutanese expatriates. Tshering Palden, a Sydney resident, expressed his eagerness to hear more about this initiative during the royal visit.

Bhutan, often described as the world’s happiest country, owes much of its identity to its unique measure of progress—Gross National Happiness—proclaimed by King Jigme Khesar’s father in 1972. However, the country is currently grappling with significant challenges, such as widespread unemployment and a rising number of citizens emigrating for better opportunities. Australia, a favored destination among Bhutanese migrants, is home to the largest Bhutanese diaspora globally.

Despite their physical distance from Bhutan, the diaspora maintains strong cultural ties and devotion to the monarchy, celebrating key national events such as the king’s birthday and Bhutan’s National Day. Many, like Deki, maintain personal connections to the king, with portraits in their homes, and view the opportunity to meet him in Australia as a “dream come true.”