Bhutan prepares for a royal wedding

Karma Nidup,AP Photo/Royal Office for Media

Bhutan's royal bride 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, center, offers prayers on the eve of her wedding to 31-year-old KingJigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, at the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple in Dochula, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. The couple will be married by Bhutan's top Buddhist cleric in the country's most sacred monastery fortress in Punakha on Oct. 13, 2011, at a time determined by astrologers.

A Bhutanese student carries a portrait of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema, before hanging it outside the Lungten Zanpa School, their alma mater, in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese shopkeepers prepare a large banner of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema, before hanging it on their storefront in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutan's royal bride, 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, center, arrives at a traditional welcome on the eve of her wedding to 31-year-old King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, in Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. The couple will be married by Bhutan's top Buddhist cleric in the country's most sacred monastery fortress in Punakha on Oct. 13, 2011, at a time determined by astrologers.

Bhutanese security officers use metal detectors to check the grounds of the main stadium where celebrations for the Bhutan Royal Wedding are to be held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan Kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

A Bhutanese novice Buddhist monk walks at a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese novice Buddhist monks walk to breakfast at a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese novice Buddhist monks stand after eating breakfast in a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese novice Buddhist monks eat breakfast in a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese novice Buddhist monks are reflected in a window as they arrive for breakfast at a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese novice Buddhist monks stand outside a monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema will wed in the small Himalayan kingdom in a series of ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

A Bhutanese teacher holds a royal flag before placing it next to a portrait of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema, outside the Lungten Zanpa School, their alma mater, in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 12, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies set for Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese Buddhist monks rehearse a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese workers place a picture showing King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride later on Oct. 13, 2011.

A Bhutanese worker decorates a picture showing King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese Buddhist monks rehearse a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

A Bhutanese Buddhist monk wears a mask as he prepares himself during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese students hold umbrellas as they practice a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 10, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom will wed his commoner bride later this week.

A Bhutanese mask dancer prepares himself during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Women look on as Bhutanese Buddhist monks prepare to rehearse for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese women wait to rehearse for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese women wait to rehearse a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese Buddhist monks wait to perform during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese Buddhist monks wear masks before a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese schoolchildren wear traditional attire during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese schoolchildren wear traditional attire during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Children look on as a Bhutanese mask dancer prepares himself during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 11, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese students hold umbrellas as they practice a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 10, 2011. The 31 year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese Bhuddist prayer flags are seen on a footbridge during a practice for the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 10, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

Bhutanese students hold umbrellas as they practice a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 10, 2011. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan kingdom will wed his commoner bride on Oct. 13, 2011.

AP Photo/Royal Office for Media, Gelay Jamtsho)

Bhutan's 31-year-old king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, poses with his bride-to-be, 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, after they attended a cultural program held in their honor in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Oct. 10, 2011. The couple will be married by Bhutan's top Buddhist cleric in the country's most sacred monastery fortress in the old capital of Punakha on Oct. 13, 2011, at a time determined by astrologers.