Oct
Real-Life Fairy Tales
King Jigme and Queen Jetsun
Today, I’ve snuck a bit of contraband into the ballroom. I’m hoping Lady B won’t take notice… But as usual, nothing escapes her ladyship’s attention.
Lady B: Miss Dare, am I mistaken, or are you reading the newspaper? In my ballroom?
I’m sorry, Lady B. I’m just so engrossed by the news of the royal wedding.
“Still?” says Lady B. ”I thought that was all finished months ago.”
No, no. Not Wills and Kate–
Lady B gives me a stern look. ”Miss Dare, tell me you did not just refer to the Prince of Wales as ‘Wills’.”
Er… Of course not. Anyhow, I’m reading about a different royal wedding today. The wedding of King Jigme, the Dragon King, to 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, a commoner. Isn’t it romantic? He married down, just like you did when you fell madly in love with Lord B.
Lady B’s cheeks color slightly. ”I’ll have you know, there was nothing ‘mad’ about my courtship with Lord B.”
<<Squawk! Cuckoo!>>
Really, Lady B? Albert seems to have other ideas. But here, before you turn positively crimson, have a look at these highlights:
(If you’d like to see even more beautiful footage from the wedding and celebration, including the king and queen’s first kisses, click here. The video can’t be embedded, sorry!)
Lady B peers hard. ”What pageantry. Their attire is remarkably colorful.”
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
“Indeed. I’ve never seen the like. Where did you say this was, again?”
Bhutan. It’s a tiny Himalayan country. The only nation on earth to take a routine measurement of Gross National Happiness.
Lady B lifts an eyebrow. “I’d say those two look quite happy indeed. They’re likely skewing the average.”
I think their happiness is contagious. There’s nothing like the tale of a king marrying a commoner to capture the public’s imagination — especially when the bride in question is so lovely and the king is so obviously adoring. Just listen to this bit from the newspaper article, Lady B:
Others admire the apparent impact the daughter of an airline pilot has made on the king, who talks openly of his love and admiration for her, even holding her hand at public functions.
“He really loves her,” said 16-year-old schoolgirl Jurme Choden as she waited to practise a dance routine for the public celebrations on Saturday. “Wherever he goes he holds her hand. Now young people are starting to copy.”
The royal couple apparently met when aged 17 and seven respectively at a family picnic in Thimphu.
The then-prince got down on his knees and said “when you grow up, if I am single and not married and if you are single and not married, I would like you to be my wife, provided we still feel the same,” he told students in August.
Lady B looks amazed. ”Seven years old? My word. How precocious.”
If that’s not fairy-tale material, I don’t know what is!
Do you know any real-life love stories that bear a resemblance to fairy tales? Your own, maybe – or the stories of parents, grandparents, friends or acquaintances?
Speaking of fairy tales, you might have heard that I have a Christmas novella coming out! It’s a Spindle Cove story, and it’s called Once Upon a Winter’s Eve. When my agent read the story, she called it “a fairy tale for nerdy girls.” I quite like that description, since I consider myself the nerdiest girl of all. 
I just got the cover art late last week and couldn’t resist sharing today. Isn’t it lovely? It’ll be available November 15th!
Oct 17, 2011
8:37 am
What a lovely post Tessa!
That just made me sigh with happiness. And thank you for sharing the cover art to Once Upon a Winter’s Eve! I can’t wait to read it!!!!
As for real life love stories, one of my law school classmates has a really great story. She and her boyfriend both came to Philadelphia to attend law school (albeit different schools) and the summer after our 1L year, she took advantage of our school’s study abroad program in school. He went over to visit her, and proposed to her in Italy, which was such a sweet and romantic gesture . They are now happily married and have an adorable baby girl! I think the fact that they made it through law school in tact, and are still blissfully happy definitely qualifies as a fairy tale ending, lol
Unfortunately, no real life fairy tale moments in my own life so far, but here’s hoping!
Oct 17, 2011
8:48 am
Sorry, meant to say study abroad program in Rome. Darn those typos! ::Sigh::
Oct 17, 2011
10:21 am
What a sweet story, Lisa!
It reminded me of a couple I met in college once. The guy met this girl at a party and was totally taken with her, but all he knew was her first name and the town she was from. This was back in the baby days of the Internet, before Facebook and online searchable directories and all that. All we had was the printed Student Directory, which included names, phone numbers, campus address, and the student’s hometown — for all 60,000 students. So this guy started at one end of the book and went all the way through it, searching for girls with her first name and the same hometown. And he found her! Called her up, asked her out – and don’t know how long they stayed together after that, but I thought he sounded like a keeper.
Oct 17, 2011
10:21 am
And as for your own fairy tale moment… it’s coming, I’m sure!
Oct 17, 2011
8:40 am
Fairy tales? I kissed my prince and he turned into a frog!
Oct 17, 2011
9:23 am
LOL, Lady Susan! Did you see Disney’s The Frog Princess? (Oh, wait, who am I talking to?! Of course you saw it!
) Anyway, I loved it how she turned into a frog too. And of course there’s Shrek. That fairy tale about-face is utterly charming. On the other hand, I read a novel yesterday in which the “prince” definitely became a frog after the “kiss”. Fortunately, he wasn’t the actual hero! 
Oct 17, 2011
10:38 am
My kids love that movie, Katharine!
Oct 17, 2011
10:38 am
lol, Susan! Oh, no. Well, in fairy tales the bad always end badly, so let’s hope the “frog” got what he deserved.
Oct 17, 2011
9:26 am
Beautiful cover, Tessa! I love the green, and I adore Christmas novellas. I still have every single Regency Christmas anthology published in the 80′s and 90′s.
I can’t wait to read yours!
I love the king-commoner match up, and it is unbelievably romantic that they hold hands in public. Wow. *dreamy sigh!*
I’ll admit the moment I saw that gorgeous photo of Jetsun, I thought of Prince Humperdink saying “But perhaps you will not find her common now.”
Oct 17, 2011
10:40 am
LOL, I thought of The Princess Bride, too! But in Jetsun’s case, let’s hope the king is her Westley, her Twoo Luvv, and their mawwage is all that she could wish.
Oct 17, 2011
10:35 am
Loved the post! It’s nice to see a “Royal Couple” who really look like they’re in love and are comfortable with who they are. I really liked it that the King and his new wife walked away from the ceremony walking hand in hand and happy.
Love the cover for “Once Upon a Winter’s Eve”….simply stunning!
Oct 17, 2011
10:41 am
I agree, Maria – between these two and that Other Royal Wedding, it’s been a year filled with romantic nuptials, hasn’t it? The video where he kisses her is really sweet, too. You have to click the link.
Thanks for the cover compliments!
Oct 17, 2011
11:12 am
I was smitten by this story also! Not just because it’s very cool to see royal stories beyond Europe, not just because they are a stunning looking couple (I first thought I was looking at stills for a movie), not just because of how touching their lack of embarrasement about their affection is, but because I actually knew where Bhutan is. A friend of mine taught English as a Second Language there for several years in a super-remote village. Like, only-reachable-by-yak remote.
Congratulations to the King and Queen, and may they preside over a harmonious and constructive entry of modern technology and sensibilities in their ancient land.
Oct 17, 2011
1:12 pm
Oh, wow, Maya – I bet that was an amazing experience for your friend! It looks like such a beautiful country, and as you point out, very steeped in ancient tradition. I read that they didn’t allow television there until 1999.
And I agree –they are simply stunning.
Oct 17, 2011
11:14 am
I don’t know if it counts as a fairy tale but when I was in my 30′s I was sure I was going to be an “Old Maid”.My mother told me just to give up on ever finding a husband and face the fact that I was not marriage or mother material. One day my husband came to visit me and told me that he longed to go out on a date with me and I told him that I had feelings for him for a long time.(We had been friends for 10 years) He asked me to marry 2 weeks later,we have been married 17 years and have 2 children.
Oct 17, 2011
1:13 pm
Gail, that’s a fabulous story! Very much fairy-tale material. All that’s missing is the glass slipper!
So glad you and your husband found that happy-ever-after ending.
Oct 17, 2011
6:43 pm
What a beautiful true-life romance, Gail. Goes to show you shouldn’t always listen to your mother
Oct 17, 2011
12:20 pm
It is a beautiful cover. I like that we are getting another visit to Spindle Cove so soon and at Christmas perfect. Thanks Tessa!
Oct 17, 2011
1:14 pm
Thanks so much, Jerelyn! I’m excited for everyone to read it!
Oct 17, 2011
12:31 pm
Lovely post, Tessa, and the new cover is gorgeous! Love that green, it’s eyecatchingly beautiful and I can’t wait to read it. You’re right about this couple being like a fairy tale, my only hope for her is that he doesn’t decide to take more wives. She shouldn’t have to share him.
I’ve always been a bit of a believer in fate – that each of us has a match somewhere in the world fated to be with us. When I was very young, I had a recurring dream about a tall dark-haired man with a beard and moustache. I could never clearly see his face but from then on was forever fascinated with dark-haired men w/beards and moustaches. I met my hubby online long before FB or e-harmony. We met in a chat room while he was chatting with friends of mine. After 10 days of begging, on his part, for a date, he finally wore me down and I agreed to have dinner. Dinner lasted almost 4 hrs and we’ve been together ever since – and yes, he’s very tall, dark-haired (when he had hair – LOL! ) and has a beard and moustache. I knew he was a keeper that very 1st date – it was the best date of my life.
Oct 17, 2011
1:22 pm
What a great story, Amy! And how amazing that you had this dream “your” guy would look a certain way – and then you met and agreed to date him sight unseen! When you first saw him at dinner, did you blurt out “It’s you!”
That’s an awesome story. This is what I love about romance. Every couple has a story.
Oct 17, 2011
11:41 pm
LOL!! Tessa, it wasn’t actually sight unseen, he did send me a picture of himself with his son … I knew he was tall, dark and handsome w/a beard and moustache but the reason I wouldn’t go out with him earlier was because he was soooo tall – 6’4″ worth … I’m a mere 5 foot one inch but like I said, he wore me down. I did tell him later on in our relationship that I had dreamed about ‘that man’ … he thought it was cool! Every couple’s story is romantic some way, some how – otherwise, it romance would be dead, right? Even my folks – my Mom met my Dad on a street corner about 4 in the afternoon NewYear’s Day and he asked her and her friend (his secretary) to join him for breakfast – he was hungover from the night before. They got engaged the following Christmas Day!
Oct 17, 2011
12:36 pm
Wow, another royal wedding / real life fairytale. You know you’re doing well when you’re marrying someone called The Dragon King. ROCK ON. *gg* The bride is gorgeous, isn’t she? Thanks so much for sharing this, Tessa. Even if Lady B. cannot entirely approve, lol.
(And Hi go all the Gang!)
“LADIES..”
Gaelen, curtsying
Oct 17, 2011
1:25 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Gaelen!
I know, isn’t the title “Dragon King” amazing? I want to see that movie. In IMAX.
What’s really funny is that I read King Jigme is a big Elvis fan (hence the hair), and I think he’s even nicknamed “Elvis” by some. So he’s “the King” in more ways than one!
Oct 17, 2011
1:56 pm
It’s wonderful about the fairytale wedding. Over the weekend my husband was watching a show about Bhutan and mentioned the Gross National Happiness level. At the time I didn’t pay too much attention to it, and didn’t realize there was to be a royal wedding.
I can’t wait for Once Upon a Winter’s Eve. I love all of your books and can’t wait for the others for Spindle Cove.
Oct 17, 2011
6:21 pm
Ora, I am just delighted by that idea of a Gross National Happiness index. What a great acknowledgment that material possessions and economic output are not everything in life.
I’m so glad you’re looking forward to the novella! Thank you.
Oct 17, 2011
6:45 pm
Exactly! I adore the GNH.
Oct 17, 2011
2:47 pm
Love the new cover Tessa, the green is gorgeous.
When I think of real life fairytales, I think of my nan and grandad. They married when he was 21 and she was 18, in 1939 just before WWII started. He was in the Royal Navy and she stayed at home. Their first son was born in 1945 just after the war ended and they went on to have a further 6 children. They’d been married for 64 years when my nan died and my grandad died a year later. It was always very clear that though they’d been through some very tough times, they still loved each other.
Oct 17, 2011
6:25 pm
What a lovely story, Beebs. How wonderful that they married so young and in such difficult times, but their love withstood all the many challenges. I also look to my grandparents (both sets) as inspiring examples of love and commitment through the decades.
Oct 17, 2011
5:02 pm
Gorgeous gorgeous cover, Tessa!
Now that that’s out of the way, I have to say, I LOVE real life fairy tales. They make me so very happy. Especially when they involve royalty.
I love the story of Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, who married a single mom he fell in love with. That’s serious, sigh-inducing commitment–and he’s easy on the eyes, too!
Oct 17, 2011
6:28 pm
Ooh, another good-looking royal who married a commoner! And an unwed mother, no less. I clicked the link, and then a few others… I’m glad that they didn’t let public concern over her “troubled youth” stand in the way of their love and happiness.
Oct 17, 2011
6:47 pm
What a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple. The bride is absolutely gorgeous and I love all the rich colors. A nice change from our traditional white.
The cover for your novella is gorgeous too, Tessa. A fairy tale for nerdy girls sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it.
Oct 17, 2011
7:38 pm
I’m in love with the colors. Some site had a closeup of her shoe, and it was to die for. Let me see if I can find it…
Here, let’s see if this works:
Oct 17, 2011
11:44 pm
WOW!! Now that’s some ensemble! How is that all those colors mixed together on her look so wonderful but if I tried that, I’d just look like a clown? [sigh]
Oct 18, 2011
1:42 pm
I want the shoes! I’m fascinated by the different colors of silk at the neck. Wonder how they achieve that effect.
Oct 17, 2011
7:05 pm
Is that Brooks Johnson on the gorgeous cover?
It must be weird to grow up knowing that one could become queen someday from the age of 7 no less.
Oct 17, 2011
7:41 pm
RE: the model… Hm, possibly? You are the one who is so good at identifying these guys!
Can you imagine growing up “kinda/sorta” engaged to a prince? Like, he joked about it once when you were seven, and then you spend your whole adolescence wondering if he was serious, if he’d forgotten…
Ooh. There’s a book there.
Someone’s probably already written it. LOL.
Oct 17, 2011
10:35 pm
Seriously, it’s total romance fodder! Or as you said, fairy tale.
Oct 17, 2011
8:43 pm
“The royal couple apparently met when aged 17 and seven respectively at a family picnic in Thimphu.
The then-prince got down on his knees and said “when you grow up, if I am single and not married and if you are single and not married, I would like you to be my wife, provided we still feel the same,” he told students in August.”
My my, that sounds just like a “mistorical”, doesn’t it? But wait, it’s true and it happened and it’s a real life fairy tale. So perhaps when we next take “The Wedding”, by Julie Garwood, off our keeper shelves and read how Brenna proposed to Alec when she was a toddler and he was a tall warrior, we’ll think of the Dragon King and his beautiful bride and how they met when one of them was just a little girl. I like to keep my imagination and my heart wide open for serendipity and magic!
My little story isn’t that magical but my husband of forever does remember seeing me at a debating tournament at our last year of high school — he recognized me when we met officially a year or so later. Making a lasting impact without Facebook … goodness!
Oct 20, 2011
5:04 pm
JanetW, I love your point about Garwood! I love that book–one of my first romances. It’s so true that there are stranger and more amazing things in real-life than we could ever manage to pull off in fiction.
And what a great story about you and your husband!
Oct 18, 2011
12:07 pm
Thank you for posting more information on your upcoming novella. I have “A Night to Surrender” on my TBR pile and I also can’t wait to read your next release.
The royal wedding looked lovely. Bhutan is such a fascinating country isn’t it? Sadly, I can’t think of any real life romance story, but I really enjoyed reading the ones that have been posted.
Oct 20, 2011
5:05 pm
Thanks so much, Antonia! I hope you like both ANTS and the novella, when it comes out.
Oct 19, 2011
6:49 pm
I can’t wait to read Once Upon a Winter’s Eve. Me and my daughters consider ourselves nerdy girls too. I’m not sure my own story is a fairy tale, but my husband of almost 20 years and I had one date in high school, I shortly thereafter had emergency surgery and never returned to that high school. Thus, no more dates. Flash forward 10 years – Tony is in the Army going off to the 1st Iraq War and I’m working in Detroit. We start writing and 1 year later, we are married.
There’s lots of juicy stuff in between, and it makes my hubby blush, but it works!
Oct 20, 2011
5:07 pm
Oh, that’s a great story! It is a bit like Cinderella – except with sutures instead of a pumpkin… ??
Anyhow, it had a very happy ending and that’s the important part!
Oct 19, 2011
7:25 pm
Gorgeous cover, Tessa! I can’t wait to return to Spindle Cove this Christmas. It ‘s one of my favorite places to visit.
Oct 20, 2011
5:05 pm
Thanks, PJ! You are *always* welcome in Spindle Cove. We’ll get you your own cottage.
Oct 20, 2011
3:09 am
I am late to the ball (apologies!), but I love this story – the proposal in particular really feels like a fairy tale. The royal family of Bhutan is quite interesting – I’m not an expert by any means, but one of the princesses was in my class in college, and two other princesses lived in my dorm when I was an RA my junior year. They were all quite lovely, polite, etc.
But the reason there were so many princesses of the same age was because their father (who is also the father of the current king) married four queens at once (and, according to wikipedia, the queens were sisters). So the current king has nine siblings between the ages of 18 and 31, which must make palace life interesting!
Oct 20, 2011
5:08 pm
I had read that, Sara (the four wives who were sisters), but that is amazing that you went to college with members of the family! How cool.
I think I read that it’s expected that this king will break the tradition of polygamy and just take one wife. But who knows…