Photo: Royal Office for Media

Bhutan has a new princess, but is she in the line of succession to the throne?

The short answer is yes. However, since Bhutan abides by male-preference cognatic primogeniture, any younger brothers will rank ahead of her in the line of succession.

As of now, the Princess is third in the line of succession to succeed her father, King Jigme Khesar. She follows her older brothers, Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel (7) and Prince Ugyen Wangchuck (3).

The unnamed Princess was born on 9 September at Lingkana Palace in Thimphu. No photos have been released of the newborn.

Her name is not expected to be announced for a month or two. It is possible her father will make the announcement of her name on Bhutan’s National Day on 17 December. He has previously announced that Queen Jetsun Pema was pregnant with the Crown Prince and later Prince Ugyen Wangchuck during National Day.

She will hold the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi (name) of Bhutan.