Royals William and Kate
have arrived in Bhutan
for a two-day visit
to meet the country's king and queen
after their trip to India
.
Bhutan is known for measuring quality of life by Gross National Happiness
rather than economic growth and for choosing to be isolated to protect its culture
.
They will meet the Bhutan royals in a private audience and will be hosted for dinner.
The visit involves a trip to a temple, an archery venue, and trekking up a mountain to visit a monastery
.
New parents, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema
, celebrated the birth of their first child
10 weeks ago.
A term coined by Bhutan's former king
in 1972, which defines progress as well-being in such as culture and health as well as material well being. However, it has also been criticised
.
The internet and television have only been allowed since 1999 and foreign tourists since 1970s.
Authorities are still careful of foreign influences to protect its culture.
William’s father, Prince Charles, failed to complete the steep ascent to 10,000 feet high Tiger’s Nest monastery during a visit in 1998, opting instead to paint a watercolour of the scene.
Bhutan’s royal couple announced the birth of their first child in February, and they are expected to name him at this weekend.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
and Queen Jetsun Pema
share commonalities with Royals William and Kate.
Both couples were married in 2011 and Queen Jetson Pema, 25, was a commoner until she married, like Kate.
Bhutan’s former king who coined the term Gross National Happiness
.
Bhutan's prime minister has cast doubt on GNH
that this concept can be overused, and can mask the country's problems
with debt, unemployment and poverty.
The Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay
, said in 2013 that GNH should not distract from tackling Bhutan’s pressing problems:
“If the government of the day were to spend a disproportionate amount of time talking about GNH rather than delivering basic services, then it is a distraction”.
Bhutan faces issues such as corruption, low standards of living and youth unemployment.
Nearly 7% of young people are unemployed and it is one of the world’s poorest nations, in terms of GDP.