Bhutan has celebrated a royal wedding with a lavish ceremony in an ancient Himalayan monastic fortress in the old capital of Punakha.

King Wangchuck, 31, married 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema, the daughter of an airline pilot.

The king is widely revered in a nation which is slowly embracing democracy following his father's abdication in 2006 to introduce parliamentary elections. 

"I am happy. I have been waiting quite some time," the king told reporters after the ceremony.

"She is a wonderful human being, intelligent. Her and I share one big thing in common - love and passion for art."

Thousands of people, dressed in traditional coloured robes, gathered outside as the ceremony got under way.

1) King Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema greeted residents in Punakha, Bhutan's ancient capital [Reuters]

2) The couple were married at the sacred monastery fortress Dzong [EPA]

3) Pins and badges were for sale as part of the celebrations [EPA]

4) The Buddhist nation is home to about 700,000 people [Reuters]