King Khesar (pronounced Gesar) is the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan; Jigme Singye Wangchuck; and his father's third wife; Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon.

After completing his higher secondary studies from Yangchenphu Higher secondary school; Bhutan; Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy (Andover; Massachusetts); Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts; United States; before graduating from Magdalen College; University of Oxford; United Kingdom; where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and International Relations.

In December 2005; King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008; and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately. On 14 December 2006; the king abdicated and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who was officially crowned on 6 November 2008.