King and Queen of Bhutan share first glimpse of their three-month-old daughter as royal baby is officially christened in lavish ceremony

Bhutan’s royal family held a lavish naming ceremony yesterday to announce the name of their third child.

Three months after giving birth, Queen Jetsun Pema, 33, who has been dubbed the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas, and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 43, introduced Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem, who has been renamed Sonam Yangden Wangchuck.

The royal household shared the happy news and photos of the glamorous festivities at the Queen’s officiant Instagram account.

The message explained that Sonam is a Bhutanese name that denotes ‘merit, longevity and happiness’.

The queen, who already has two sons, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, seven, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, three, stunned in a traditional purple dress with gold patterns.

Meanwhile, Sonam was wrapped in a silk pink blanket and a matching hat, with pink embellishments that mirrored the blanket.

Sonam’s older brothers, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, looked just as adorable as they celebrated their sister and posed for photos.

The message explained: “Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem is called Sonam Yangden Wangchuck.

‘Sonam is a Bhutanese name meaning merit, longevity and happiness. The name Yangden, which means precious jewel, signifies prosperity and well-being.

‘The naming ceremony took place in Tashichhodzong on the anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the Golden Throne in 2006.

‘The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers and members of the Royal Family attended the ceremony.

“Representatives of the Dratshang presented Ku Sung Thugten Mendrel. The Dzongdas, Thrizins and Lam Netens of twenty dzongkhags, representing the people of Bhutan, performed buelwa sacrifices.

‘Her Royal Highness, the third child of Their Majesties The King and Gyaltsuen, was born on September 9 this year.’

Three-month-old Sonam Yangden Wangchuck was wrapped in a beautiful silk blanket during the naming ceremony

Queen Jetsun Pema (left), King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (top center), Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck (far right) and Prince Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck (left center) celebrated Sonam during the ceremony

Earlier this year, the Queen joined the royal family at the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein of Jordan, and attended King Charles’ coronation in London in early May with her husband.

King Jigme, the hugely popular fifth Druk Gyalpo, studied in Britain and the US and ascended the throne in 2006, aged just 26, after his own father abdicated.

Unlike his son, who plans to have a monogamous marriage, the former king, who introduced democracy to Bhutan during his reign, has four wives, all sisters, whom he married on the same day.

But despite his own upbringing, the current monarch has made it clear he only wants one wife, whom he married on October 13, 2011, while she was still studying international relations at Regent’s College London.

The match made headlines at the time because the young king was more openly affectionate with his wife than citizens were used to – leading the couple to be dubbed ‘the William and Kate of the Himalayas’.

Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen made a sweet appearance as they sat with their mother and younger sister

Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem underwent a series of traditions from her mother’s arms during the ceremony

The Bhutanese King and Queen married in 2011 – the same year Prince William and Kate got married – and have since welcomed your children.

However, the king’s very public displays of affection – including kissing his wife on the cheek and holding her hand – were well received by young people, with many even choosing to follow the royals’ example.

The couple have an unusually close family, with the King’s sister and brother married to the Queen’s brother and sister.

The Queen’s older sister, Yeatso Lhamo, is married to the King’s brother, Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

In September, Pema and Jigme were among world leaders who traveled to London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.