Click to play videoNew Delhi: Thimpu residents woke up to a new King who made a nationwide broadcast on Bhutan's National Day on Sunday.
It was perhaps the swiftest transfer of power affected with the least fanfare with Jigme Keshar Namgyal Wangdhuk, the fifth king of Bhutan replacing his father, who abdicated the throne last week.
However, the change was immediately visible in the Bhutanese Embassy in Delhi too.
In a stark contrast to neighbouring Nepal where in the same year King Gyanendra was forced to hand over power to his people, and lost several royal privileges, the king of Bhutan gave up his powers himself and his throne to his son- an act many believe was a reaction to events in Nepal.
Bhutan's ambassador to India, Lyonpo Dago Tsering says that the new King's biggest task will be to make his country a full-fledged democracy by 2008.
“He has to make sure that the election commission which is already in place prepares the people to a multi-party system and he also has to ensure that the Draft Constitution is adopted,” says Tsering.
As the Himalayan kingdom comes to terms with the dramatic developments there, what does it all mean for Bhutan's relations with India?
If anything the new King has even closer personal ties with New Delhi.
After completing his degree from Oxford University, 26-year-old King Jigme Khesar studied for a year at the National Defence College in Delhi.
“He enjoyed his studies here enormously and made a lot of friends. He is also the president of the Bhutan-India Friendship Association in Bhutan,” says Tsering.
He has also accompanied his father to India on every visit. And it's time now for the young man seen on the sidelines listening in to take centrestage.
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