Royals in Bhutan
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.
Royals William and Kate
Bhutan
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.
Bhutan
Gross National Happiness
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.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Bhutan’s former king who coined the term Gross National Happiness.
Bhutan
Overuse of 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.
Bhutan
Bhutan’s PM over Gross National Happiness
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
Country’s problems
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.
Bhutan
Protection of culture
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.
Royals two-day visit to Bhutan
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.
Trek to visit the Tiger’s Nest monastery
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 king and queen
New parents, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema, celebrated the birth of their first child 10 weeks ago.
Bhutan’s new born child
Bhutan’s royal couple announced the birth of their first child in February, and they are expected to name him at this weekend.
Royals of Bhutan
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.