Bhutan's Royal Wedding: U.S.-Educated Young King Marries Commoner
The King of the small Himalayan nation of Bhutan got married today to a commoner. The entire country came to a halt for the festivities. Bhutan is nestled between China and India and is the size of Switzerland. The current young king ascended
in 2006 to pave the way for a
constitutional monarchy. The new king is overseeing the democratization of the country. Bhutan bills itself as the happiest nation on earth, and they're quite serious about it. Every year citizens fill out forms about their happiness and policies are changed if everyone is not happy enough. The Gross National Happiness surveys are conducted every two years and people are asked questions such as: "On a scale of zero to 10, do you consider yourself happy?"
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuc, 31, went to Wheaton College in Massachusetts and received his degree from Magdalen College at Oxford University. He loves basketball and the Celtics. His bride, Jetsun Pema, is the daughter of an airline pilot who is studying in London. She was crowned Queen of Bhutan in an elaborate Buddhist ceremony held in a 17th century monastery.
CNN's Kristie Lu Stout reports on the royal wedding:
