30 September 2026: His Majesty The King graced the Passing Out Parade of the Gyalsung Training 2026 Batch (Cohort 2) at the Gyalsung Academy in Khotokha, Wangdue Phodrang, today.

Addressing Gyalsups across all four Gyalsung Academies from Khotokha, His Majesty described seeing a country in motion, moving in the right direction.

“I see providence, determination, focus, clarity, and above all, I see how united we are,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty said that Gyalsung is one of the most extraordinary achievements of our lifetime, made possible by the wholehearted support of the Bhutanese people, and paid tribute to His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the previous generation for building the nation we take pride in today, upon whose foundations such monumental endeavours are made possible.

His Majesty called the occasion a beautiful moment for every Gyalsup, one they would one day share with their own children, grandchildren, and perhaps even great-grandchildren, as each generation in turn becomes part of Gyalsung.

“This training is a rite of passage, a social equalizer, and a common experience,” His Majesty said. “It shapes you as you step into adulthood and prepare to shoulder responsibilities. Irrespective of your background, you come together with a single identity, as Bhutanese.”

“As a father, I greatly look forward to the day I will get to share this moment with my own children — Jigme Namgyel, Ugyen Wangchuck, and Sonam Yangden,” His Majesty said.

Gyalsung, His Majesty said, is a third family, after the family we are born into and the family we build through friends, mentors, and spouses over the course of our lives.

“In the next two decades, together with the Desuups, this family will number 326,000 people, bound by common purpose, trust, and loyalty,” His Majesty said.

“What we lack in numbers, we must make up with competence, agility, adaptability, and coordination,” His Majesty said. “We are never going to have the advantages of a large country, nor their challenges. To plan for the future, we must first understand who we are. Bhutan has the right preconditions. What we choose to do with it will determine our future.”

His Majesty expressed pride in every cadet, and thanked the parents for their wholehearted support for the programme.

“Bhutanese are a unique people because we have an inherent wisdom and understanding of what will best serve our nation,” His Majesty said. “This is what enables us to come together to better our future.”

The Passing Out Parade was held simultaneously at the Gyalsung Academies in Pemathang, Gyalpozhing, and Jamtsholing. The Opposition Leader, Dasho Pema Chewang, attended the parade at Pemathang, while the Chairperson of the Royal Privy Council, Lyonpo Dr. Tandin Dorji, and the Chairperson of the National Council, Thrizin Sangay Dorji, attended the ceremonies at Gyalpozhing and Jamtsholing.

The ceremonies were also attended by Venerable Lopens of the Zhung Dratshang, Cabinet Ministers, senior officers of the Armed Forces, senior government officials, foreign dignitaries, and the families and friends of the Gyalsups.

A total of 2,847 young men and women completed their training with today’s parade, including 25 cadets who live abroad and returned to Bhutan to take part. The 2026 Batch is the largest cohort trained since Gyalsung began in 2024, bringing the total number of Gyalsups in the country to 12,707.