Jetsun Pema, Queen Of Bhutan: A Newlywed Style Icon (PHOTOS)

A new style icon has been crowned: she's the 21-year-old new queen of Bhutan, a tiny country tucked between India and China in the Himalayas.

Last week Bhutan's 31-year-old king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wed Jetsun Pema, a student ten years his junior. Pema is a commoner whose father is an airline pilot, but the king doesn't mind jettisoning tradition by marrying her; he says he fell in love with Pema after meeting her when she was 7, when he promised himself that if he still had romantic feelings for Pema when he was older, he would marry her.

The gorgeous newlywed queen wore royal dress for the ceremony: a local garment called a kira, which took three years to weave. She's been spotted during the past month in a variety of vibrant-colored outfits that reflect the local culture in textile and pattern.

As queen, Pema will be expected to dress in the colors that reflect her kham (birth element), in accordance with Tibetan astrology, reports Business Bhutan. The king is no stranger to style, either: he's known in Bhutan as the "Asian Elvis" because of his hair style, reports ABC.

Interest in fashion is growing in Bhutan, a nation with a historically isolated culture. The site Bhutan Street Fashion , which posts picture of street fashion and magazine photo shoots, recently launched, and comments on the site are buzzing on posts like this one, which shows a Bhutanese girl posing in a pair of UGGs.

Check out some of Her Majesty's outfits from her wedding below. We can't wait to see more of Pema's regal style soon!

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Comments

[idontcare761]

08:15 PM on 12/11/2011

I remember hearing the story about their engagement , and how they met. They both seemed very much in love and it was a nice change to see someone choosing love regardless of class. She is a beautiful girl and I wish them both a long and happy life together!

[sdgrrl]

05:21 PM on 12/11/2011

Many naysayers regarding if her style is iconic or will not translate to Western wear. If it weren't for this marriage, many Americans wouldn't know of Bhutan and definitely wouldn't know their fashion. Western style is always borrowing from the East once we are exposed to it. Tunic/kurtas are very fashionable as is Indian jewelry; chandelier earrings, henna, even nose rings. We have borrowed from China the mandarin collar as well as their traditional woman's dress, the Cheongsam. Our patterns, fabrics and colors are often heavily influenced by China and India.

Anyone into fashion- who didn't at some time have a kimono style shirt? Designers are always looking for inspiration and something fresh. I wouldn't be surprised at all if designers become inspired by Bhutan's culture and incorporate some of it into the Spring collection.

The West borrows from everyone; Africa, Asia, Mexico- why not Bhutan?

[irrenmann]

03:39 AM on 12/10/2011

Cute girl. It's good to be the king!

[peakarach]

11:14 AM on 10/27/2011

Congratulation from U.S.A.

[booshh]

08:27 AM on 10/27/2011

She is SMOKING hot.

[sdgrrl]

04:20 PM on 12/11/2011

I agree. Some people describer her as "cute"? Smokin' hot.

[InedaName]

06:03 AM on 10/27/2011

Gorgeous couple, but that would mean His Majesty has had his sights (and presumably other body parts) set on Queen Jetsun ever since meeting her when she was just 7 and he was...17.

Ew.

[Rachael78]

07:20 PM on 12/09/2011

at least he waited. it's not that creepy

[Ry Bread]

11:33 PM on 12/09/2011

Waiting or not... it's still creepy. But you are right, at least he waited instead of taking a child bride.

[sdgrrl]

04:20 PM on 12/11/2011

Lil' creepy... at least he waited. :)

[idontcare761]

08:16 PM on 12/11/2011

Read their background , it won't seem too creepy then. It's not like he dated her while she was a child.

[InsanePhatMan]

08:22 PM on 10/26/2011

I am not a fashion guy, but she has some style. Beautiful.

[Nana610]

06:53 PM on 10/26/2011

Bhutan is a gem of a country, and this woman is beautiful.

[LiberalLee]

04:48 PM on 10/26/2011

That is truly a stunning young woman.
Blessing BE on your marrige!

[wolverine mags]

02:55 PM on 10/26/2011

she is simply gorgeous.

[SuneetaChhetri]

01:25 PM on 10/26/2011

"he says he fell in love with Pema after meeting her when she was 7, when he promised himself that if he still had romantic feelings for Pema when he was older, he would marry her" FROM WHERE ON EARTH DID THIS PIECE COME FROM LOL Thats not true.it is MAJOR MEDIA BLUNDER.

[Vanessa1129]

11:48 AM on 10/26/2011

Lovely!

[Bor Zoi]

10:34 AM on 10/26/2011

For a second there, I thought it was Kelly Hu.

[MexDiva]

09:51 AM on 10/26/2011

What a beauty! I'd love to see this kind of fashion more often. I think it can easily be adapted to other cultures. Also their embroileded process and pretty fabrics would fit fantastically to other venues of style.

[Mary Mendy]

08:52 AM on 10/26/2011

yeah shes, pretty but, I'd hold back on the style icon part.

[sdgrrl]

04:21 PM on 12/11/2011

Why? Penny for your thoughts.