Gyalpo

Gyalpo, transliterated from Tibetan rgyalpo, is a title and noun in Tibetan and related Himalayan languages that means “king” or “sovereign.” It derives from a root related to reign or royalty and is used to denote rulers or kings in various historical and cultural contexts.

In Bhutan, the compound Druk Gyalpo literally translates as “Dragon King” and is the regnal title of the Bhutanese monarchs. The institution of the Druk Gyalpo began with Ugyen Wangchuck, who was proclaimed the first Druk Gyalpo in 1907, establishing a hereditary monarchy. The current Druk Gyalpo is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who ascended the throne in 2006 and was coronated in 2008.

Beyond Bhutan, Gyalpo may appear in Tibetan and Himalayan texts as a general term for kings or rulers and can also occur as a component of personal names or historical references, reflecting its royal connotations. The word is commonly romanized as rgyalpo in academic and linguistic writings.

Overall, Gyalpo serves as a foundational royal term across Tibetan-influenced cultures, most prominently recognized today through Bhutan’s Druk Gyalpo and its historical association with monarchy in the region.