The End of Nepal's Monarchy in 2008

When the first meeting of Nepal's Constituent Assembly convened on 28 May 2008, one of its first acts was to vote on the monarchy. The result was 560 in favour of abolition, 4 against.

Overview

The vote was the culmination of over a decade of political change. The royal family's credibility had been shattered by the June 2001 massacre in which Crown Prince Dipendra allegedly shot and killed King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and seven other royals before shooting himself. The subsequent reign of King Gyanendra, who dismissed elected governments twice and took direct rule in 2005, made him deeply unpopular. The 2006 People's Movement that forced the restoration of parliament set Nepal on a republican path. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Maoists and the subsequent Constituent Assembly election confirmed that the monarchy had lost its political base. On the evening of 28 May 2008, Gyanendra and his family were given 15 days to vacate Narayanhiti Palace, which became a public museum. The date is now marked as Republic Day, a national holiday. The royal family was stripped of all state privileges, security, and financial support. Gyanendra has remained in Nepal as a private citizen and maintained a low profile, occasionally appearing at Hindu religious events. Some royalist sentiment persists, particularly in Hindu communities who saw the monarchy as a divine institution, but it has not translated into significant political force.

FAQ

What happened to the royal palace? Narayanhiti Palace in central Kathmandu was converted into a museum open to the public. Visitors can tour the state rooms and private apartments where Nepali history played out.

Is there any movement to restore the monarchy? Periodic royalist demonstrations occur in Nepal, supported by pro-Hindu political parties, but polls consistently show majority support for the republic.