Who would be the King of Nepal?

The Nepalese monarchy was abolished in 2008, but who would sit on the throne if Nepal still had a king?

Nepal’s monarchy would be the last reigning King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, who sat on the throne from 2001 to 2008. Before that, he was the monarch from 1950 to 1951.

Born on 7 July 1947, Gyanendr was born as the second son of Crown Prince Mahendra and Crown Princess Indra. Just a few years after his birth, his family fled to India, leaving Gyanendr behind with his grandmother, who was raising him. As the only male member of the family left in Nepal, he was declared king in November 1950.

Early in 1951, a deal was struck between India and Nepal, allowing Gyanendr’s grandfather to return to the throne. After the return of his grandfather, the Prince studied in Nepal and represented the Crown.

He married Komal Rajya Lakhsmi Devi (his second cousin) in 1970, and together, they have two children: Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Princess Prerana Rajya Lakshmi Devi Singh.

Tragedy struck on 1 June 2001 when Crown Prince Dipendra (Prince Gyanendr’s nephew) assassinated several members of the family, including King Birendra. The Crown Prince, although he was in a coma following a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was the monarch, but Gyanendr had to serve as Regent until the Crown Prince’s death a few days later.

The King at his 2001 coronation. Photo: Bishaldev100 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

After his nephew’s death, Gyanendr was proclaimed king once again on 4 June 2001 and vowed to launch an investigation into the massacre of his family.

His short reign was controversial due to his role in the political system and his authoritarian rule that limited the freedom of the press. Protestors were killed in 2006 in protests against his rule, which led to further discussions on the monarch’s role in the government. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had concerns about Nepal’s democracy while Gyanendr was on the throne, and by June 2006, the King had his powers stripped, leaving him like his European contemporaries – ceremonial only.

The following year resulted in the Prime Minister requesting the King step down in favour of his grandson, Prince Hridayendra. By the end of the year, Parliament had approved a bill that turned Nepal into a federal democratic republic. In 2008, the King was told to leave the palace, and on 28 May 2008, the monarchy was officially abolished.

In 2025, amidst protests in Nepal, the former monarch claimed he was worried about the state of democracy and that the people should turn to him for peace and unity. However, no changes were made, and Gyanendr remains the former King of Nepal. Chances are slim that he will take the throne for a third time.

Want to know who would be the Queen of Nepal today? Click here to read the feature on our sister site, History of Royal Women!