Colorful Coronation

Members of the royal family await the commencement of the coronation ceremony of the fifth King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.

Bhutan's 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck passes by a window while proceeding to the Throne Room during hi seldest son's coronation ceremony in Thimpu, Bhutan, Nov. 6, 2008. The ceremony, which took place at the precise hour appointed by astrologers, was the last step in a process that saw the elder Wangchuck reform the isolated nation from a closed-off absolute monarchy to a democracy with his heir at the helm.

Bhutan's 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, left in yellow robe, receives Indian lawmaker Rahul Gandhi, right, facing camera, Gandhi's sister Priyanka Vadra, center, and her husband Robert Vadra, second left, during a coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. On Thursday, Bhutan's much-loved monarch, 52, placed the Raven Crown on the head of his Oxford-educated eldest son.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, second right in center, stands along with Chief Abbot Je Khenbo, head of the Bhutanese Buddhists, right, and the 4th King and new king's father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, third right in center, during a coronation ceremony in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.

After a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most auspicious for a successful reign, the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowned its new king on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. At exactly 8:31 a.m., former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, 52, right, placed the Raven Crown on the head of his son, 28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, giving him the title of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, seated on a golden throne, accepts offerings from Buddhist monks at the Golden Throne during his coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. Offerings included eight objects - including the umbrella of supremacy and the fish of wisdom - symbolizing the virtues a good king should have.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk interacts with an audience at the Golden Throne room during the coronation ceremony in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The new king received his red satin and silk crown topped with a blue embroidered raven's head, from his father before taking his seat on the intricately carved golden throne, which was decorated with a large bowl of fruit.

Traditionally attired Bhutanese monks and lamas walk towards Thangka, or traditional painting of Padmasambhava, during a coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.

Bhutanese monks stand before Thangka, or traditional painting of Lord Buddha, during the coronation ceremony of the fifth King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Nov. 6, 2008. In the backdrop is a Thangka of Guru Padmasambhava, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.

A Bhutanese woman in traditional attire smiles as she sits amongst the audience during ceremonies following the coronation of the 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk at the Tendrel Thang ceremonial ground adjoining the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The public display followed the coronation, an elaborate display of pageantry, mingled with ancient Buddhist rites.

A traditionally attired Bhutanese dancer looks on during a coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowned it's 5th king Thursday after a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most auspicious for a successful reign by court astrologers.

Traditionally attired Bhutanese dancers perform during the coronation ceremony of the fifth King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. In the backdrop is the image of Guru Padmasambhava, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.

Buddhist monks stand with musical instruments atop a building during a coronation ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowned it's 5th king Thursday after a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most auspicious for a successful reign by court astrologers.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, center, interacts with members of the public during his coronation ceremony in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. Moving through row after row, the king bent low to take scarves offered to him and in return gave them a special coronation coin. Most accepted the royal gift in silence with heads bowed, even as the king stroked some on the face.

Bhutan dancers wait for their performance during ceremonies coinciding with the coronation of the 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk at the Tendrel Thang ceremonial ground adjoining the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, left, interacts with members of the public during a coronation ceremony at the Tendrel Thang ceremonial ground adjoining the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The new king will serve as head of state, but one that can be impeached by a Parliament chosen in the country's first democratic elections in March.

Bhutan's 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, holding a Bhutanese girl who passed him a note, waves to a crowd as he interacts with members of the public during a coronation ceremony Thimpu, Bhutan, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. The new king appeared to set the tone for his reign as he met with some 20,000 citizens who gathered near a massive 17th century white-walled fortress where the coronation was held.

The 28-year-old bachelor king, who studied in the United States before earning his degree from Oxford University in England, has been acting as king since December 2006. He has also achieved heartthrob status in nearby Thailand, which fell in love with him when he attended their king's 60th anniversary on the throne in 2006.