Garland fit for a king
Nepal’s former king Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev offers a garland to a statue of modern Nepal founder, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, during celebrations for his 300th birth anniversary in Kathmandu yesterday.
Gyanendra, who ascended to the throne after the assassination of King Birendra in 2001, remained as king until the monarchy was abolished in 2008.
The Maoists came to power that year, and voted to declare Nepal a democratic republic, ending more than two centuries of royal rule.
Gyanendra left the palace but remained in the country as a private citizen and businessman.