Dope on The King of Bhutan's footwear

The king's prized boots they were hand crafted with dragon silk embroidery, a symbol of power

King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pic/AFP photo

The new king of Bhutan was coronated wearing a red and gold gho, the traditional Bhutanese knee-length gown, complimented with a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo knee-high boots. The handcrafted boots with brightly coloured silk embroidery signifying the dragon, the symbol of power and nobility, were sported by Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on November 6 this year.

After a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most favourable by court astrologers for a successful reign, the 28 year-old king  became the world's youngest ruling monarch, when he was crowned in the tiny Himalayan country in a lavish ceremony at a 17th-century white-walled palace overlooking the Thimphu valley.

The event was attended by President Pratibha Patil, United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Padma Shri Astad Deboo, a contemporary dancer of repute, was the only foreign artist specially commissioned by the Government of India to perform at the event. 

This is not the first time that the 1927-born Italian company has designed shoes for royalty. Salvatore Ferragamo created made-to-order shoes for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Maria Jose Coburg, Maharani of Cooch Behar, members of the royal families of Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain and Japan.

One of Salvatore Ferragamo's most famous achievements was the invention of the "wedge" sandal, a creation that was a hit among Hollywood actresses and aspiring starlets. He also made the glittering ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in fantasy film The Wizard of Oz, as well as the crocodile-trim stilettos that Marilyn Monroe wore in Some Like It Hot.