Swedish State Visit to Bhutan: June 8-10, 2016


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
aren't there gonna be a state banquet tonight ?!

No, this press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan tells, that the king and queen of Bhutan hosted a private dinner for the king and queen in the evening.
http://www.mfa.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Press-Release-8-June.pdf

Expressen's royal reporter Johan T Lindwall is in Bhutan and writes at his article that normally state visits have always a welcome ceremony with the country's incumbent head of state, but King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck often avoids public occasions, and instead it was now king Carl XVI Gustaf, who inspected the guard of honor. The royal couples' meeting was after that behind closed doors.
Then to everyone's surprise, Bhutan's king came out with the king of Sweden and escorted the Swedish royal couple to their car. After having said goodbye King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck told to Expressen about the visit. Interviews with him are extremely rare:
- Great to have them here as my guests. It is with pride that I welcomed them and it's not the first time we'll have them on a visit to Bhutan. Second time.
What did you talk about with the Swedish king?
- About the relations between Sweden and Bhutan. How we can develop them even better. The talks were good and fruitful.
What does the King think of our Swedish royal couple?
- Great people! An honor to meet them and talk to them. Two wonderful individuals. I am grateful that they are here.
The King and Queen Silvia continued the day by, among other things meeting the Prime Minister and students from Bhutan. Afterwards, the king summed the first day of the state visit:
- The state visit began today in an extremely positive way by many meetings, the king said.
Presidenten_ Kungen och drottningen är två fina personer _ Kungligt _ Expressen
Translation

The Prime minister of Bhutan at his official Facebook about the meeting with the king and queen, there is a long text about the meeting:
https://www.facebook.com/PMBhutan/p...0112025768173/931036357009068/?type=3&theater

His Majesty grants audience to Sweden’s King and Queen - BBS _ BBS
 
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Was the same with Will and Kate, a private dinner. We just got pictures of the couple leaving their hotel to attend.
 
From the first day with the king and queen of Bhutan
ROYAL: Carl Gustaf und Silvia zum offiziellen Staatsbesuch in Bhutan, Tag 1

The second day started with Bhutan-Sweden Cooperation Forum
https://twitter.com/PMBhutan/status/740750138079993856
https://twitter.com/BusinessSweIND/status/740771128050917376

From the Cooperation Forum, from the Facebook of the Prime minister. He showed also some domestic products to the king and queen.
https://www.facebook.com/PMBhutan/posts/931481686964535
From prime minister's Twitter
https://twitter.com/tsheringtobgay/status/740794030129319937

Swedish court Instagram: Bhutan's prime minister Tschering Tobgay receives a demonstration of a Swedish sawing technique. During the King and Queens state visit to Bhutan a number of representatives from the Swedish business community participates
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGbQNvxv8mu/?taken-by=kungahuset

From the Prime minister's Facebook
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=9f12848eaf96332a9e39e2cf74918f4f&oe=57D4ACC6
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=2f68106cb14f96fdcc3b9bbefec2b3f1&oe=580FAF00
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=1ad98d3175fe8a195581fb8f2fb4f21a&oe=57D3863A
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=55473e721a6297f8d6e9d112eee8e63a&oe=57C4566E

Photos from the Facebook of the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
"It was an extreme honor to receive Their Majesties The King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to the RTA this morning. Their Majesties visited the galleries, the conservation center and the weaving school. Thank you Your Majesties for the Honor!"
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=389d11e8c14018a41afaccfc9f0f3b50&oe=580A45FB
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=57372d75ac732905db4cb9bc729f75e3&oe=57D01153
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=7e77e1deb9e512477c80184357eb4c3e&oe=58049583
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=9f06d1c441e6ddb5f1cb446ebc5b72c0&oe=57D47F5F
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=ed24383f7f2939c0fb6a32980a6e179d&oe=57CEE0CF
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150638878434944&id=91896289943
 
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The king and queen with the former king, king Jigme Singye Wangchuck with three of his four wives, queen mothers Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, Tshering Pem Wangchuck and Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Photos Jonas Ekströmer.
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image

The king and queen visited a section of the multi-use fire access trail that rings Thimphu city, constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests with help from volunteers.
https://twitter.com/UNDP_Sweden/status/740900170934558721
https://twitter.com/UndpBhutan/status/740860280729571328

The king and queen visited the Buddha statue in Kuensel Phodrang in Thimpu Nature Park. Photo Jonas Ekströmer.
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010090011W14654844222218233

ROYAL: Carl Gustaf und Silvia zum Staatsbesuch in Bhutan, Tag 2

Some HQ photos from the website of the swedish royal court
http://www.kungahuset.se/images/200...ngaparet+statsbesök+Bhutan+J+Ekstromer+02.jpg
http://www.kungahuset.se/images/200...ngaparet+statsbesök+Bhutan+J+Ekstromer+01.jpg
http://www.kungahuset.se/images/200...ngaparet+statsbesök+Bhutan+J+Ekstromer+03.jpg

About the second day at the website of the swedish royal court
Kungaparets statsbesök till Bhutan – dag 2 - Sveriges Kungahus
Translation
 
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Was the same with Will and Kate, a private dinner. We just got pictures of the couple leaving their hotel to attend.


I guess the state banquets we know are a pretty foreign concept in Bhutan, aren´t they?
 
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Many thanks for the updates, LadyFinn.

I do wonder whether there is a cultural, religious or historic reason why Bhutan does not seem to hold state banquets?

I have been looking for some good video footage of the State Visit and discovered the video below of King Carl Gustav's and Queen Silvia's private visit and thought I would post it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWXWvm9xPys
 
Photos from Friday
The Swedish Royals arrive at nunnery in Wolakha to vist @UNFPA project on life skills and sexual education
https://twitter.com/unbhutan/status/741138712017444864

#Swedish Queen asking nuns how their @UNFPA life skill training has changed their lives and the lives around them
https://twitter.com/unbhutan/status/741173458197843968

Great visit by Swedish #Royals to @UNDP & @UNFPA projects in #Bhutan. #UN with #Swedish funding makes a difference!
https://twitter.com/UNDP_Sweden/status/741230120363401216

With the nuns in Wolakha, photos by Jonas Ekströmer
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010090011D14655729522216294
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010090021D14655729522216294
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010090031D14655729522216294

Meeting the monks at Punakha Dzong, photos by Jonas Ekströmer
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010070011Q14655733452215201
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010070021Q14655733452215201
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010070031Q14655733452215201

The king and queen visited Bjara Village. They gave there a water pump, the queen had cozy time with a little child and the king took photos. Photos Jonas Ekströmer.
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0500010090011F14655740812218124
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0500010090021F14655740812218124
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0500010090031F14655740812218124
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0500010090041F14655740812218124
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0500010090051F14655740812218124

The king took photos also of the queen. Photo Jonas Ekströmer.
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010090011J14655767742218341
 
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great pictures - the scenery in bhutan looks always so marvelous. very fun to see the king taking pictures during the visit, and specially when he snapped the picture of silvia, as if they were on a private honeymoon.

did they get invited for dinner with the king and queen of bhutan, like william and kate did?

who is the blonde lady who is behind the royal couple? is she a swedish minister, perhaps?
https://twitter.com/unbhutan/status/741138712017444864
 
great pictures - the scenery in bhutan looks always so marvelous. very fun to see the king taking pictures during the visit, and specially when he snapped the picture of silvia, as if they were on a private honeymoon.

did they get invited for dinner with the king and queen of bhutan, like william and kate did?

who is the blonde lady who is behind the royal couple? is she a swedish minister, perhaps?
https://twitter.com/unbhutan/status/741138712017444864

Yes, the first night in Bhutan. Unlike other state visits, where the host country holds a state banquet, in Bhutan the royal couple hosts a dinner in private. There aren't photos because it is a closed door private dinner.
 
Silvia was taken after the meeting with the girls
It is over 34 degrees in the shade and the caravan of cars with the royal couple and their entourage has gone to the convent Woloka near the town of Punakha.
Silvia was taken when she comes to the convent with 122 women and girls as nuns, between 12 to 25 years old. The education covers reproductive health in order to then be able to help the people of Bhutan.
The queen is taken of the seriousness of the moment when she enters the convent. Inside the temple they get to be part of a light ceremony with one of convent's leaders. Afterwards, they get to meet 18 of the girls and women who have decided to live as a nun.
Tandia Waugmo, 22, one of the nuns:
- I applied here because I wanted a life with peace and tranquility. I would also like as a nun able to help other people with problems.
Several of the nuns tell their life stories, and afterwards the Queen is taken.
- It was a powerful moment with a lot of energy. One gets undoubtedly taken. It was incredibly spiritually intense. Something that you may only get to experience once in a lifetime. These girls have dedicated their lives to helping others. Incredibly impressive to see.
The Queen was told of the training which the nuns receive from the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. She is impressed:
- It was extremely interesting. In Bhutan unwanted pregnancies of young people are a problem and it's extremely helpful if these nuns can get an education that they can then spread further.
The king and queen were impressed by the environment. The convent is on a large hill of Himalayas.
- It is a very important and vital place that plays a major role for the country. In addition, extremely beautiful, the queen says.
The king finishes the day with his gift: A water pump.
- There is a contraption, a pump that I came in contact with several years ago. It struck me that it would be fun to have with a device of some kind that is tailored to the needs of this country. It's a loop pump without electricity, functions with water. Extremely suitable here. They grow rice, and now they can take up fresh water from the river and hopefully facilitate all the work in the village.
Video
Drottning Silvia tagen efter mötet med flickorna i Himalaya _ Svenska kungahuset _ Expressen
Translation

Galleries from Rex Features
http://www.rexfeatures.com/set/5718068
http://www.rexfeatures.com/set/5725370
 
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Thank you for all the photos and translations. Looks like wonderful visit! Bhutan is enchanting. King CG's gift is very thoughtful and practical.
 
Prime minister Tshering Tobgay and his wife Tashi Doma hosted on Friday evening a dinner in honour of the king and queen.

From the Facebooks of prime minister Tshering Tobgay:
Official Facebook
10th June 2016: Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Aum Tashi Doma hosted a dinner in honour of His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Majesty the Queen Silvia of Sweden.
https://www.facebook.com/PMBhutan/posts/932372323542138

Prime minister's personal Facebook
Yesterday, at the dinner that the government hosted for Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden. I thanked them for visiting Drukyul again and wished them a safe journey back to Sweden. Their State Visit will be remembered for further strengthening the ties of friendship between our two kingdoms.
https://www.facebook.com/tsheringto...963285282972/1221918741154083/?type=3&theater

Sweden’s King and Queen visit Punakha Dzong - BBS _ BBS


From Saturday, the official farewell with princesses Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and Kezang Choden Wangchuck. Photos Jonas Ekströmer.
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010040011Z146563723022149
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010040021Z146563723022149
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010040031Z146563723022149

ROYAL: Carl Gustaf und Silvia zum Staatsbesuch in Bhutan, Tag 4

Kungaparets statsbesök till Bhutan – dag 3 - Sveriges Kungahus
Translation
 
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Johan T Lindwall told at Expressen (paper version) that the king and queen met also the little prince, Gyalsey. He was very cute, the queen said and the king said that he had a little more hair than prince Oscar has.

Silvias succé i Bhutan _ Stoppa Pressarna

Färgprakt och spännande möten i Bhutan _ Hovbloggen

Kungaparets besök i Bhutan _ Kungligt


Royal Couple of Sweden appreciate work done by Royal Family for Bhutan
King Gustaf said that it was a pleasure to make a second visit where he can see dramatic changes in the country, with a lot of development.
“During our visit, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo was encouraging the country in the area of development, and now in our second visit in Bhutan, we come with a business delegation from Sweden so that we can start a new business to further enhance the relation between the two countries,” King Gustaf said.
Queen Silvia said that they are back for the second time, whereby during this time, they got an opportunity to meet with almost all the Royal Family members. Her Majesty also highlighted the hard work done by the Royal Family for the development of the country.
“One of the Queen Mothers has a project in a village working with the youth and villagers in the country, and I am overwhelmed because the project is initiated to avoid rural urban migration,” Queen Silvia said, adding that it is must to keep the rural areas alive even with developments in the city.
“We are also very happy to have met HRH the Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, as, it was an honor to see the beautiful and charming prince of Bhutan,” Her Majesty Queen Silvia said.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBhutaneseNewspaper/posts/842136575892274
 
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The royal couple noted that their visit to Bhutan has strengthened the relationship with Bhutan.
King Carl Gustaf summarized the trip:
- The aim was to strengthen relations and to see what more exchanges we can do and that ambition we have kept strictly. It has been an extremely interesting program, and hosts that have shown great hospitality and kindness.
Even Queen Silvia is exuberant:
- We got to learn and see new things, but above all able strengthen ties between the countries. Bhutan and Sweden have it very well to build on for the future.
Minister for Social Security Annika Strandhäll says:
- It has been both interesting and important. Sweden and Bhutan have several points in common. Environmental issues are a very clear one. Where we can meet at different levels. The king very committed in these.
The minister sees the royal family as a "door opener" and notes:
- That Bhutan now has taken a step towards becoming a democratic country, it has had Sweden as one of its role models.
The king also managed to introduce the word for one of the most Swedish of all traditions - to "fika".
When the king met a number of students he knew that they would drink coffee and eat a bun and said quickly:
- Will you "fika"? Fika is the most known word in Sweden. Everyone knows what fika is! Everyone wants to fika!
Kungen introducerade svenskt fika på statsbesöket i Bhutan _ Kungligt _ Expressen
Translation

Galleries
APA-Picturedesk
APA-Picturedesk
 
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Bhutan was unknown to many several years ago. Now, it seems it is becoming a trend. And what a fab country I've been discovering!
 
Video of the visit
It shows the arrival, the welcoming ceremony, the king and queen meeting the king and queen of Bhutan, meeting the prime minister, the king and queen meeting the former king. Attending the Cooperation Forum, looking at domestic things, the visit to the Textile Academy, the visit to the Buddha Statue and walk at the Nature Park are also shown.
It starts at 7.55 and ends at 12.32.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmaODC5VMB0

There is also a lot more reports of the work of the king and queen of Bhutan at the video.

Some photos without watermark
Drottningen om det speciella mötet i Bhutan_ ”Mäktig stund” _ Svensk Damtidning
 
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It was nice to hear that about Carl Gustaf and Silvia's relationship with Bhutan being strengthened as a result of this visit. It has been great reading up about the visit and seeing all the photos.

Bhutan was unknown to many several years ago. Now, it seems it is becoming a trend. And what a fab country I've been discovering!

I've been thinking the same thing ever since it was first announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be visiting. I would love to visit Bhutan, but it's too expensive to stay in for me, sadly! It seems like such a beautiful country, and quite rich in culture too.
 
...

I've been thinking the same thing ever since it was first announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be visiting. I would love to visit Bhutan, but it's too expensive to stay in for me, sadly! It seems like such a beautiful country, and quite rich in culture too.

I've read that it's quite exclusive too! I think you can't just go there, but you need special documents, or the like!

It's fascinating how this country has its own politics and lawa on selected tourism.

I'm off topic, but for more info on the subject:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan#Tourism
 
I've read that it's quite exclusive too! I think you can't just go there, but you need special documents, or the like!

It's fascinating how this country has its own politics and lawa on selected tourism.

I'm off topic, but for more info on the subject:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan#Tourism

Yes, I've read that too. The laws of Bhutan etc are what fascinates me the most, I think, it's almost like it's own little world within the world, if that makes sense. I respect the Bhutanese people for keeping with their traditions and not trying to be drawn to modern life, because that's quite a difficult thing to do, but they don't have many distractions.
 
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