- Title: Bhutan spruces up to welcome Britain's Prince William and wife Catherine
- Date: 14th April 2016
- Summary: BHUTANESE IN TRADITIONAL DRESS PLAYING MUSIC AS THEY PREPARE TO WELCOME BRITISH ROYALS
- Embargoed: 28th April 2016 08:46
- Keywords: visit royal Bhutan Kate Prince William Britain
- Location: THIMPHU, BHUTAN
- City: THIMPHU, BHUTAN
- Country: Bhutan
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA0024D7EO1Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bhutan is brimming with excitement as it gets ready to welcome Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a visit that will put global spotlight on the tiny Himalayan kingdom, sandwiched between the world's two most populous nations, China and India.
Prince William and wife Kate will start their two-day trip on Thursday (April 14).
Thimphu's main 16th century Tashichho Dzong - the seat of Bhutan's civil government, where the King and the Queen would welcome the British royals, was being spruced up with a fresh coat of paint and colourful flags. Musicians practised on their instruments a day ahead of the visit.
The King is very popular in Bhutan and the respect for the royal family increased tremendously after the fourth King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk abdicated the throne to pave way for the coronation of his son in 2008.
Tsering Pem, a Thimphu resident, said she was looking forward to the visit which would bring together two popular royal couples.
"As far as I know, I think the prince and princess of England have never visited Bhutan, so, I think it is a great moment for Bhutan. And moreover, I think two of the best royal couples in the world are meeting, so I think it is pretty exciting," she said.
The British royals, who have been touring India, will for the first time meet the fifth King and the Queen of Bhutan. They will also trek to the Tiger's Nest, an ancient Buddhist monastery perched 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) up a mountain.
William's father, Prince Charles, failed to complete the steep ascent to the Tiger's Nest during a visit in 1998, opting instead to paint a watercolor of the scene. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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