Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuk was installed as king on 24 July 1972 following the death of his father three days earlier. The Tshongdu, along with the Lodoi Tsokde, had already agreed that the new king should be vested with full powers. This decision had been facilitated by the fact that Wangchuk had been made crown prince in March of that year. Additionally, in May he had been made Tongsa Penlop, a privileged position similar to that of the Prince of Wales.
The quick response by the political and religious elites of the country to Wangchuk's accession indicated the widespread consensus that had already been formed around the new king. At the time of taking the throne, the new king was the world's youngest ruling monarch.
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