The Palace announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton would visit India in the spring of 2016. They also requested permission for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to make a stop in Bhutan. This marked the first time the couple visited India, and they were reportedly thrilled about the opportunity. During their trip, the royal couple spent part of their visit with Bhutan's King and Queen. This was not the first meeting between the two young couples; the King and Queen of Bhutan had visited the UK after their wedding in 2011 and met with William and Kate. The reunion was highly anticipated on both sides.
While the UK and Bhutan shared friendly relations, there were no formal diplomatic ties between the two countries. The UK maintained an honorary embassy in Thimphu, and both the King and Queen of Bhutan had been educated in the UK. It was hoped that this visit might foster stronger connections. Bhutan had not often hosted members of the British royal family. The Duke of York visited in 2010, and before that, the Prince of Wales visited in 1998. With the current King having transitioned Bhutan to a democratic government, there was optimism that the relationship between the two nations would continue to grow.
First Contact
The UK’s first recorded contact with Bhutan occurred in 1914 when John Claude White visited the country on behalf of National Geographic. White described the Bhutanese people in a favourable light, praising their hospitality during his stay. He developed a friendship with the King at the time and was shown many of the country’s landmarks. Additionally, he explored independently and was particularly impressed by the advanced irrigation systems he encountered. White was the first known explorer to document Bhutan, and his account portrayed the country in a positive light. His detailed description included unique observations, such as the practice of feeding raw eggs to mules daily. For those interested, White’s full account can be found in National Geographic. Decades later, in 1988, Prince Charles visited Bhutan.
Bhutan’s Unique Approach to Development
While much of the world measures success by financial metrics, Bhutan has become known for its Gross National Happiness (GNH) scale. This innovative measure evaluates the quality of life based on spiritual, physical, social, and environmental well-being rather than wealth. Initially seen as an eccentric and impractical concept, GNH has gained international recognition in recent years. Over the past two decades, Bhutan has seen remarkable progress: the average lifespan has doubled, and every child now attends school. As the world grapples with challenges such as climate change and declining well-being, Bhutan’s approach has drawn serious attention. At a recent UN climate change conference, members discussed integrating elements of Bhutan’s GNH philosophy on a global scale.
