Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck(2016)

Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the eldest Queen of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. Her Majesty is the mother of HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.

Her Majesty is not only an accomplished author but also a keen supporter of literary works, particularly among the youth. She has sponsored and edited a number of books on poetry and essays on issues of relevance to the country. She is the author of Rainbows and Clouds, a story of Yab Ugen Dorji (the Queen’s Father), which is not only a gripping family saga, but an illuminating window on Bhutanese culture, society and history. Her Majesty’s second book, Treasures of the Thunder Dragon- A Portrait of Bhutan, is a blend of personal memoir, history, folklore and travelogue. Her Majesty’s third book, Dochula- A Spiritual Abode in Bhutan, is a documentation of the Druk Wangyel Complex consisting of the Lungchutse Lhakhang, 108 Druk Wangyel Stupas, the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang and the Druk Wangyel Tshechu.

Her Majesty is the Chief Patron of Mountain Echoes, a literary festival in Bhutan that brings together renowned national and international authors and poets. The festival is a successful forum for exchange in literature, the creative arts and a celebration of the two cultures of India and Bhutan.

Her Majesty has also been the Chief Patron to the Ministry of Agriculture since 1999 as the vast majority of the Bhutanese are farmers with many working under harsh climatic and geographic conditions. Her Majesty has initiated numerous programmes to improve the quality of life of the Bhutanese people especially in the rural areas through the creation of the Tarayana Foundation.

Her Majesty’s keen interest in environment preservation has led her to support National Parks, Biological Corridors and programmes to protect the environment. Great care is taken to incorporate environmental conservation in all the projects supported by Tarayana.

Her Majesty is also the Honorary President of Sherubtse College, Bhutan’s oldest and most respected institution of higher learning. Her Majesty takes a keen interest in youth and gender issues.