Darjeeling, March 2: The sleepy hill town today woke up to an excited murmur as news of the Bhutan royal family’s visit reached the residents of Darjeeling.

Curious onlookers flocked to watch the four queens of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and prince Daso Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuk, as they made their way to St Joseph’s School (North Point). King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was a student of the institution.

For the royal family, the visit to the hill town after 30 years was a walk down memory lane. The four queens of the king — Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck — received their schooling from institutions in the hills. The queens, who are also sisters, had attended St Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, and St Helen’s School in Kurseong.

Prince Dasho Jigyel also rode a pony at Chowrastha while the rest of the family rummaged through books on Bhutan at the Oxford Bookstore. The family reportedly bought some books from the store.

Since it was a private visit, the members of the royal family were not allowed to talk to the press. Crown prince Dasho Jigme, who visited Darjeeling for the first time, said: “Had this been an official visit, we could have spoken to you all (media) but Her Majesties do not want to speak now.”

Members of the security agencies accompanying the royal family had earlier instructed those present not to raise any political issue or take photographs of the family.

Prince Dasho Jigyel was, however, seen interacting with Bhutanese students, currently studying in Darjeeling, at Glenary’s.

Tashi Dorjee, a student of Darjeeling Government College, said: “We often see the royal family in our country but it was the first time we interacted for so long from such a close distance.”