King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (L) greets journalists after his marriage to Queen Jetsun Pema at the Punkaha Dzong in Bhutan's ancient capital Punakha Oct 13, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PUNAKHA, Bhutan - Bhutan's "Dragon King" married a commoner in a Himalayan monastic fortress on Thursday, sipping a chalice of ambrosia symbolising eternal life, in a wedding that has transfixed a reclusive kingdom slowly embracing globalisation.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wore a crown adorned with a raven's head during the sumptuous ceremony in this 17th-century fortress, as 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, daughter of an airline pilot, received a crown embroidered with silk.

In a nation of 700,000 people where television was only introduced in 1999, the ceremony was broadcast live. Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, stood outside. Some monks chanted, others played drums and cymbals.

Wangchuck is revered as this insular nation slowly embraces democracy after his father abdicated in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. The monarchy is seen as helping stabilise a fragile democracy in a conflict-ridden region.