The Bhutanese Leading the way.
His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen received the Hadrian Award on 29 April 2026 at the Grand Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong, Thimphu. The award was presented by a World Monuments Fund delegation who travelled to Bhutan for the formal presentation ceremony, led by Mr. Juan Pablo Molyneux De Standish-Byrne, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Monuments Fund.
The Hadrian Award is presented annually by the World Monuments Fund, an organisation dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. Established in 1988, the award recognises individuals and institutions for exceptional contributions to safeguarding global cultural heritage. It is conferred at the Hadrian Gala, WMF’s flagship annual event.
Their Majesties were honoured at the 36th Annual Hadrian Gala in New York on October 29, 2025, in recognition of Their Majesties’ leadership in safeguarding Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heritage, including traditional architecture, monasteries, and living traditions.
