Yangyel Lhaden
The Royal audiences with the Bhutanese community in Sydney and Canberra have been a profound and transformative experience, evoking deep emotions among those in attendance.
The halls echoed with His Majesty’s wisdom, leaving many in tears and filled with inspiration. A powerful message resonated throughout—the call to return to Bhutan and share the skills and knowledge acquired abroad towards nation building.
His Majesty, accompanied by the Royal Family, is on a maiden Royal visit to Australia. His Majesty granted audience to the Bhutanese diaspora in Sydney on October 12 and Canberra the following day. A two-day audience is scheduled in Perth on October 16 and 17.
Bhutanese from various states gathered for this momentous occasion, with some even arranging for traditional attire to be sent from home for the occasion.
“I have eagerly waited for October 13 since the announcement of Their Majesties’ Royal visit to Australia,” said Kinley Selzang Wangmo, 27, one of the thousands of Bhutanese who attended the Royal audience in Canberra yesterday.
A former employee of the Royal Monetary Authority, she is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Accounting at the University of Canberra while working part-time at a pet grooming salon.
“His Majesty spoke about the unshakeable bond between a 44-year-old King and His people,” she recounted. “His Majesty acknowledged the challenges faced by Bhutanese abroad and showed understanding of our efforts to support families back home and His genuine care for our well-being.”
“His Majesty’s words moved me and many others to tears,” she added. “His Majesty also shared the vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which inspired me to consider returning to Bhutan in the next five to 10 years to contribute meaningfully to society.”
Tshering Gyeltshen, 27, recalled first hearing about the GMC during His Majesty’s National Day speech last year. “His Majesty mentioned that the GMC is intended for Bhutanese living abroad during the National Day speech,” he said.
“After the Royal audience, I finally grasped its significance. I am now determined to gain the skills needed to support the GMC’s development and contribute to Bhutan’s progress.”
For Kezang Choden, 26, His Majesty’s visit felt like a caring check-in from a father, describing the Royal audience as emotional, inspiring, and homely. “We are profoundly grateful for Their Majesties’ presence, which reassured us and filled us with hope to do better and give back to Bhutan.”
Jurmey Choden Rinzin, 25, a musician pursuing an MBA in Sydney, served as the master of ceremonies during the Royal audience in Sydney.
“From the moment Their Majesties and the Royal Family arrived, the room was filled with emotion. It was an incredible opportunity—something we had always longed for,” she said. “His Majesty brought a sense of home to us and expressed how much He missed His people.”
She said that His Majesty shared his understanding of what it is truly like to live outside Bhutan and how impressed He was with our tenacity and resilience. “His Majesty spoke from the heart, addressing the sacrifices we make every day—balancing work, study, and caring for our families and younger siblings back home.”
In Canberra, Tshering Tashi, 41, described the Royal audience as an unprecedented gathering of Bhutanese, buzzing with excitement to meet His Majesty and the Royal Family. “This Royal visit filled us with hope and reminded us to return to our home country to contribute to nation building,” he said. “I want to help fulfill His Majesty’s vision and contribute to our country’s development”
As the Royal audience concluded, Jurmey Choden Rinzin said: “Our eyes teared up as His Majesty bid farewell, and the adorable Princess Sonam Yangden Wangchuck blew flying kisses while the Royal Family waved goodbye.”
She said that it was a heartfelt and emotional moment. “But what moved us the most was His Majesty’s declaration of going “all in”—His unwavering belief in the visionary GMC,” she said.