Final farewell ... the deposed King and former Queen Komal leave their palace in Kathmandu. (Photo: AP)Ex-Nepali King Leaves Palace, Begins Life As A 'Commoner'
June 12, 2008
Komfie Manalo
AHN News Writer
Kathmandu, Nepal (AHN) - Nepal's former king Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, and the last monarch of the Shah dynasty, which reigned for almost 240 years, is now a commoner and will be living "amongst his people," after vacating the royal palace Wednesday night.
A statement issued Nepal's Peace and Construction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said,"The former king has become an ordinary citizen now. He will get the same status and benefits from the government the other citizen are getting."
Early in the day, Gyanendra met the members of the press for the last time at Narayanhiti palace. The former king was stripped of his power as ruler of the Himalayan nation after the Constituent Assembly declared the nation the newest democracy on May 28 and abolished the monarchy.
The government gave Gyanendra 15 days to leave the former royal palace and offered him the Najarjun palace as his new residence. The Narayanhiti palace will be turned into a museum by the new government.
The former king's new home consists of 10 buildings including the ex-royals' residence, three guest houses, one office secretariat and one staff quarters.
Gyanendra left the palace together with his wife, former queen Komal.
A statement issued Nepal's Peace and Construction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said,"The former king has become an ordinary citizen now. He will get the same status and benefits from the government the other citizen are getting."
Early in the day, Gyanendra met the members of the press for the last time at Narayanhiti palace. The former king was stripped of his power as ruler of the Himalayan nation after the Constituent Assembly declared the nation the newest democracy on May 28 and abolished the monarchy.
The government gave Gyanendra 15 days to leave the former royal palace and offered him the Najarjun palace as his new residence. The Narayanhiti palace will be turned into a museum by the new government.
The former king's new home consists of 10 buildings including the ex-royals' residence, three guest houses, one office secretariat and one staff quarters.
Gyanendra left the palace together with his wife, former queen Komal.
