Bhutan queen taking king to her childhood school in Shimla

Students of Lawrence School, Sanawa in Himanchal Pradesh State of India, are eagerly awaiting their alumni Jetsun Pema who, after passing out from the Lawrence School in 2008, is now returning as Her Majesty Queen of Bhutan along with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. The royal couple will be chief guests at the concluding function of founders’ day celebrations of the school on October 4 (Saturday).

At Sanawar, the news of royal couple’s arrival has created quite a buzz as Pema is coming to the school for the first time after her wedding, that too with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. Pema had joined the school on April 13, 2006 as a class XI student. She studied English, history, geography, economics and painting and completed her plus-two on March 31, 2008.

As a Sanawar student, Pema had contributed significantly towards her house, the Himalaya House. Her teacher recalled the queen as a good athlete and basketball player. When Pema had to learn bhangra, she didn’t give up, and not only learnt the Punjabi dance but had performed well too, the teacher said. Apart from bhangra, Pema actively participated in girls’ band of the school and in western dances.

Though arrangements have been made for the royal couple’s stay at school guest house, chances are that they might stay at Army guest house at Kasauli as GOC-in-C western command, Lt Gen K J Singh, is accompanying them for the school function.

The cultural performance to be witnessed by the royal couple includes dances and classical vocal performances between 3 at 4 pm on the day.